On the OtterX Discord, Wavicle has introduced the first OtterX Cartridge Prototype, starting with layout testing to shape the hardware’s future design. The OtterX Cartridge Prototype faces rising costs, with tariffs and the end of de minimis rules pushing expenses higher than expected.
Current projections suggest a fully assembled board may cost close to $20, which is more than earlier estimates of $12 to $15. To help manage pricing, Wavicle may assemble the units personally instead of outsourcing, which would save money even if it takes more time.
The OtterX Cartridge Prototype is influenced heavily by component pricing. ROM chips, once believed to cost $4.50 to $5.00 each, are currently available for around $2.53 when purchased in lots of 100 or more. With other parts factored in, component costs sit near $8, with another $2 for the PCB. Beyond that, margins, processing fees, and assembly time all contribute to the final retail figure.
The cartridge is an X16-compatible economy board capable of distributing programs up to 1.5MB. It includes a footprint for non-volatile storage such as flash or F-RAM, though omitting backup storage can reduce expenses. While the focus is on stable data delivery, Wavicle is still deciding between a passive riser card and a more reliable bus switch. A passive option is simpler, but the bus switch reduces long-trace signal issues, even if it raises costs.
The OtterX Cartridge Prototype shows how balancing affordability with stability shapes design choices during development.
