Small device for big jobs Neil Mylet’s patent-pending innovation is a new concept in mobile technology. Not yet on the market, the system uses a smartphone app to load grain into trucks. The inset shows the hardware control module that is installed on the grain bin. The system’s farreaching effect will be in other bulk handling industries, such as mines, steel, and concrete. Mylet is pictured at Mylet Farms’ main complex near Camden. He works with his dad, Tom, and others in the family business. Comet photo by Jennifer Archibald An unassuming young farmer from Camden is getting worldwide attention.

Neil Mylet, now age 25, had an idea to help farmers with the grain loading process by using the technology of a smartphone application. The developed system was tested successfully last fall on Mylet Farms.

And before it’s even available, other bulk handling industries have taken notice. According to Mylet’s website, www.LoadOutApp.com, the same basic system that monitors and controls the loading process on the farm, can also be utilized for mines, quarries, fertilizer plants, bio- solids, steel, trash, concrete, grain terminals, and asphalt.

“There’s a huge demand already, and we don’t have any for sale,” Mylet said. He explained that his product is in the commercialization stage –between prototype and marketing.

“We’re still doing some testing,” he said.

When word got out about the system last year, Mylet said Australian and European industries were the first to respond, with Australian mining showing the most interest.

Mylet’s far-reaching innovation might never have occurred to him if he didn’t have allergies.

He said he would often be the one outside, directing the truck driver during loading. The grain dust bothered his allergies, and he thought there must be a better way.

He just started thinking seriously about it last year, and that’s how fast it has come about. U.S. and foreign patents are pending.

It’s a simple system to operate, backed by complex technology. This is the way the loading system works on the farm. It takes a hardware control module installed on the grain bin, a smartphone (Apple iPhone/iPod Touch), and one person. To operate, the person (truck driver) turns on the system, opens up the LoadOut app on the phone, enters credentials, and monitors and controls the process from the phone. The driver can remain in the truck for the whole process. That’s a plus if the weather is bad, or like Mylet, you have allergies.

Mylet said the main advantages are increased safety and efficiency. He said in other industries the safety issue will be even

more pronounced.

As he has come in contact with local farmers, they have shown interest in his project.

He said their two most frequent questions have been, “Do I have to have cell phone reception?” and will it work on any other smartphones (besides Apple)?”

Mylet said the system works independently of cell phone reception, and while it is now designed for iPhones/iPod Touch, the time will come when its use will be broader.

Mylet sees technology as the way for agriculture to move forward.

“It has a lot of potential in Carroll County,” he said. “Every farmer in this county is making improvements and is interested in increasing productivity. Technology is a way to do that.”

He said farmers have a sense of community, especially in Carroll County.

“They want to make the industry better for everyone,” he said.

That’s why he believes the teaching initiatives should be toward technology.

“We have to think, ‘how can we do things better?’ and we have to be creative, think outside the box.”

“I’ve learned a lot from my family, our employees, and those we do business with,” he said.

Mylet also gave credit to his college experience. He’s a 2008 graduate of Purdue University with a major in Ag Econ.

A 2004 graduate of Carroll High School, he said he has always been interested in technology.

“I always knew I would come back to the farm,” he said, “but I also wanted ventures outside the family business.”

Mylet said guest speakers from the business world in his college classes provided valuable information that helped him in his entrepreneurship. He said one of the most inspiring was Scott Jones, noted entrepreneur and inventor of voicemail.

A local mentor for the patent process has been Ben Dillon.

“He’s done it multiple times himself,” Mylet said.

Mylet has an international team involved in various aspects of his company. The developer for the project is Lextech, out of Chicago.

“They’ve been real excited about the project,” Mylet said. “They said it’s changing the concept of phones throughout the world.”

Mylet said his life hasn’t changed much since his company, LoadOut Technologies LLC, came into being, except that he’s a lot busier.

“I’m working 15-18 hours a day, including five or six with LoadOut,” he said.

Someday he’d like to be able to speak at colleges and universities, to encourage innovative thinking and entrepreneurship.

“Having an idea is not enough,” he said. “You have to take it to reality.”

As for the mobile technology, he said agriculture is a good starting point. “But the best is yet to come,” he said.

No matter where his ventures take him, Mylet said he’ll probably still be picking up rocks on the farm.

“I don’t plan to leave the farm anytime soon,” he said. “It keeps me grounded.”