From Concept to Mass Production of a Wearable Device

CASE STUDY

On this page I share the essential steps to build wearables from the concept phase to mass production.

September 14th, 2020

ON THIS PAGE

1. Project description
2. Timeline
3. Processes illustrated with pictures

Disclaimer: I stayed concise to make this page easier to read and for confidentiality matters. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.

Project Description

As the head of product, I was responsible for the full development and manufacturing of Soundbrenner Core, the world’s first smartwatch for musicians. I ensured the successful project development, manufacturing and launch

Main product features are:

• Vibrating metronome to stop using painful audio clicks. Vibrations are 7x stronger than any other smartwatch
• Contact tuner. In a simple twist, the Core transforms in an accurate, magnetic contact tuner
• dB Meter to protect your ears. Real-time dB monitoring to monitor your surroundings
• Smartwatch made out of stainless steel, crafted with durability and design in mind

For more details: www.soundbrenner.com

Technical Challenges

• Usage of sizeable 7G ERM motor (7 times stronger than the average smartwatch)
• A highly challenging magnetic lock system (that we patented) to make the watch removable from its base
• Overall design needs to stay thin despite the 2 points mentioned above
• Complex firmware to link and synchronize up to 5 devices together with less than 15ms delay, and an accurate tuning feature
• At least 5 days of battery life when used daily

Project Outcome

• 2 years of work
• 1 patented design
• Successful 1.5 Million USD raised on Kickstarter (5,000 pre-orders and the most crowdfunded project in Hong Kong)
• Happy customers

Timeline

These 2 years needed to build this product can be simplified into two parts: the development phase and manufacturing.

Building a hardware product requires developing simultaneously several parts such as the mechanical and electrical designs.

Other essential processes need to be handled while designing the product (selecting the right suppliers, accessories, packaging, etc).