Ohana Family Bands
Wireless Swimmer Safety Device

Armed with a preliminary Proof-of-Concept circuit built by a freelance engineer, and a pending patent, the team behind Ohana (originally called Swim-A-Sure) came to Tomorrow Lab looking to validate their idea for a safety distress-signaling device for swimmers. To develop this product, we looked to mix specific factors including: interference robustness through water, sufficient transmission distance, appropriate transmission data rate, and reasonable power requirements for a wearable device.

Tomorrow Lab engaged in an innovation sprint that included a state of the art review, product innovation workshop, technical exploration, feature strategy, as well as preliminary industrial design, branding, logo, and package design. With the help of engineer Matthew Epler, we fabricated a functioning works-like prototype that we tested in New York’s East River.

01 — Concept Development

After determining the most valuable solution as a premium family safety product to allow children the freedom to swim safely without being out of range in case they needed to call for help, we utilized the idea of an adjustable wrist-sized wearable. Building a product from waterproof materials to easily connect and transfer information in a universal way that no matter what swimming situation, either party could receive and reply to the message via vibration and LED signaling on both bands. We began Industrial Design and Proof-of-Concept iOS app design with a simple dashboard display, allowing a guardian to check-in at a glance, or initiate a number of alerts for water levels and distance, and receive alerts from the swimmer if they were out of bounds or in distress.

02 —Technical Exploration

In order to develop the waterproof wearable that could withstand a measurable distance to transmit the signal required a heavy technical exploration including a set of parameters to understand the basic signal needs: distance, LED visual aids, vibration indication, water submersion, app communication for distress signals. We tested a variety of antennas that could fit inside the wearable, but since this phase only required creating Proof-of-Concept, we were able to make a bulky, but working, prototype. We proved that we could truly achieve the objectives listed above, test the distance range, and performance under water submersion.

03 — Branding, Logo, & Packaging Design

With freedom and security both priorities for the brand, we brainstormed a variety of names and terms for family and came upon Ohana. As part of Hawaiian culture, ʻohana (oh-HA-na) means family in an extended sense of the term, including blood-related, adoptive or intentional. To create the logo, we took inspiration from all things Hawaii - adventure, rainbows, sunsets on the beach, and combined them with the technical requirements of wireless transmission, safety, and family. Along with a brand and logo, we developed preliminary packaging that would allow buyers to see the product clearly, understand its message and intent, and want to connect with their family on vacation in a whole new way.