WINNER
Yoto Player
by Pentagram, for Yoto
How much screen-time a child has is one of the many anxieties that comes with modern parenting. Wanting to tackle this without sidestepping tech altogether, the founders of Yoto approached Pentagram to aid in the industrial design and branding of their concept, the Yoto Player.
A smart speaker designed for children, it plays stories, music, radio and podcasts. To make it safe and accessible, two physical cards control the playback of audio content, while two simple push and twist buttons control the audio itself – both of which Yoto says can aid in the development of fine motor skills.
A 16x16 colour pixel display has been designed to “shine magically” through the surface of the plastic casing of the Yoto Player to provide interactive content, without the need for a camera or microphone, though the team was wary not to make it look “too toy-like” so as to appeal to both younger and older children. While it is a product designed “from the ground up for children”, extra consideration has been given to parents, who are able to curate the payer via a smartphone app.
The judges said: “This is a great example of a thoughtful and considered design, and an overall beautiful and well-delivered piece.”
Highly Commended:
Tenuto Vibrator for ED
by MysteryVibe
Aiming to provide a non-medical alternative to Viagra, the design team at MysteryVibe has designed Tenuto, the world’s first wearable vibrator for use by those with erectile dysfunction.
The driving force behind the product was to create something that not only could help to create an erection, but also maintain it throughout intercourse. While intricately designed, MysteryVibe says it has been cautious not to design something that could become distracting because of its tech. So while Tenuto’s six strong, anatomically positioned motors can be controlled (and personalised) via an app, its “moulded” shape – designed to fit 90% of all penis sizes – means users are able to “fully immerse” themselves in the moment and overcome insecurities.
PRODUCT DESIGN
Highly Commended:
Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight
by W Communications, for Arlo Technologies
To cater to domestic end users, who ultimately value simplicity when it comes to installation, Arlo Technologies developed the Arlo Pro 3 security camera. Unlike others on the market, the Pro 3 is wireless, with a minimalist design the company say “could have jumped straight from the set of Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey”. Along with a stylish look, the product boasts a rechargeable, long-lasting battery, solar power capabilities and a double battery system to ensure it’s always working.
Highly Commended:
Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight
by W Communications, for Arlo Technologies
To cater to domestic end users, who ultimately value simplicity when it comes to installation, Arlo Technologies developed the Arlo Pro 3 security camera. Unlike others on the market, the Pro 3 is wireless, with a minimalist design the company say “could have jumped straight from the set of Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey”. Along with a stylish look, the product boasts a rechargeable, long-lasting battery, solar power capabilities and a double battery system to ensure it’s always working.
Highly Commended:
WATR Revolutionary smart water monitor
by WATR
Manufacturing companies currently spend around $654bn a year on expensive labs and often unreliable equipment to monitor water quality around the world. Wanting to change this, and in the process reduce the carbon footprint of the process, WATR has designed the WATR Revolution smart water monitor.
The product is a solar-powered, wireless device, which has been developed to float with agility in both salt and freshwater environments. Mounting points mean it is able to be both free-roaming in these water bodies or tethered for security. As the company moves forward with the design, it envisages functionality for mutli-location testing and AI capabilities for interpreting results, which will ultimately help in WATR’s mission to monitor drinking water, measure agricultural runoff, flood prevention and more.
Analogue Mega SG
by Kenyon Weston, for Analogue
For the past 40 years, video gaming has moved from being an enjoyable pastime, to a deeply embedded part of the world’s cultural landscape. In the early stages of this movement, gaming company Sega led this charge with its Master System, MegaDrive Genesis.
Inspired by the MegaDrive in particular, Kenyon Weston and team have produced the Analgoue Mega SG, a legacy console designed to plug directly into any modern display with total compatibility. The challenges posed by such a product were threefold: aesthetic, technological and cultural. The team had to not only capture the essence of the beloved consoles, but elevate it. The result is smaller than the original thanks to technological advances but features elements from the classic product, such as a concealed expansion port for the Sega CD drive, and it prompted one Guardian reviewer to ask “Could it be better than the original?”
Hydration Platform
by PepsiCo Design and Innovation, for PepsiCo
In designing their Hydration Platform, the PepsiCo Design and Innovation team looked to how the world interacts with smartphone technology in everyday life.
The product is comprised of three core components: a water dispenser, a user-friendly smartphone app and a unique QR code sticker. These elements come together to provide users with a personalised experience – users can use the device to track their hydration levels throughout the day and set goals, and beyond this, it allows them to choose water flavour, temperature and carbonation levels.
Also keeping in mind the ecological footprint of single-use plastic, the Hydration Platform also tallies the number of plastic bottles each person individually saves each time they refill using the system instead of buying a new drink. So far, it has been launched in select workplaces, universities and hospitality outlets.