[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Header” _builder_version=”4.23.4″ background_enable_color=”off” background_color_gradient_direction=”90deg” background_enable_image=”off” background_position=”bottom_right” top_divider_color=”#ea7c00″ top_divider_height=”90px” top_divider_arrangement=”above_content” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”From Prototype to Reality: The Smart Badge Journey” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||5px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
(If you missed some of the adventure, or just want a recap – catch up with Part 1<\/a>, Part 2<\/a>, and Part 3<\/a>!)<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.23.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n With the Smart Badges fresh off development, our team headed to #MEDICA2023 in Germany! Talk about an exciting debut for our newest gadget. This Nifty Name Tag was the perfect thing to quickly demonstrate some of our key capabilities in the bustling atmosphere of over 5,300 exhibitors and 83,000 visitors.<\/p>\n Conrad, our Director of Engineering<\/a>, manned our booth to greet visitors and showcase some of our other innovative designs. Meanwhile, Chad, our CEO & Founder<\/a>, equipped the Smart Badge and set out on foot to explore the latest advancements in medical products and services. We even did the math – Chad walked an impressive 28 miles over the five-day conference, leaving Conrad just a little jealous! Even in this early stage, the Badge attracted attention and sparked lots of conversations with other attendees! <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.23.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.root3labs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Badge-Blog4_Photos.png” title_text=”Badge Blog4_Photos” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.23.4″ custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.root3labs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Badge-Final-jpg.webp” alt=”minimum viable product” title_text=”Badge Final” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n In just four weeks we turned our innovative idea into a reality, and that\u2019s really what we do here at Root3 Labs! This project enforced for us some important lessons in product development and device design. It was clear that our success came down to three key things:<\/strong><\/p>\n These are tools that we use in every project, and you probably do too! But, having to pare everything down to their bare essentials allowed us to pay attention to what are the strategies<\/strong> that help us achieve a successful outcome.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-28px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” top_divider_color=”#ea7c00″ top_divider_flip=”vertical|horizontal” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.23.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||-21px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.23.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”Optimizing Workflow in Time-Constrained Projects” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h3″ title_font_size=”25px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.23.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.root3labs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Ideation_Resized2.png” title_text=”Ideation_Resized2″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.23.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Given the tight timeline, identifying the critical path was the first and most important step. We knew there would need to be electrical, mechanical, and software components involved in the overall design. In order to meet the deadline, each team would have to work in parallel with close collaboration.<\/p>\n While in-house fabrication would greatly reduce lead times for mechanical components, the same would not be true for the Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs). We can populate boards in-house, but we currently outsource bare board PCB fabrication. Although the turnaround time was rapid – as little as five days – it would still be our biggest bottleneck in terms of time. This meant that PCB design and fabrication would emerge as the Critical Path for the project.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row disabled_on=”on|off|off” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”|180px||180px|false|true” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” text_orientation=”center” module_alignment=”center” custom_padding=”|15px||15px|false|true” border_radii=”on|5px|5px|5px|5px” border_width_all=”5px” border_color_all=”#ea7c00″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Tip:<\/strong> This is is a tactic we use in ALL of our projects to stay on schedule! The critical path<\/strong> is a moving target<\/strong> and changes as the project progresses. Don’t be afraid to shift your path<\/strong> when needed!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n We determined that we wanted to order the boards by the end of the first week to leave enough time to receive, populate, and test the boards before final assembly. Recognizing the need for early PCB ordering, we aimed to solidify features, identify components, and finalize the board design within the first week. This necessitated a collaborative effort: the electrical team selected components while the mechanical team defined component footprints. These efforts converged to finalize the design.\u00a0The remaining tasks also had tight timelines, but without ordering and receiving the boards on time, we would not have met the final deadline.<\/p>\n Besides identifying the critical path, we allocated the most time for the design of the device \u2013 both electrical and mechanical. We didn\u2019t have time for multiple physical iterations, so it was essential to \u201cmeasure twice and cut once\u201d by spending the required time in the design phase. Even with our attention to detail, we still had to come up with creative ways to solve design issues \u2013 take a look at \u201cHand Wiring a Fix\u201d<\/a> in Part 2 of our blog series. Thank goodness we love hard problems!<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.23.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”Collaboration in Action” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h3″ title_font_size=”25px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n We always work together closely (it’s not that big of a workshop!), but it was a tactic that definitely paid off with this project. The early electrical and mechanical design was boosted by the fact that Christina, the mechanical lead<\/a>, and Chris, the electrical lead<\/a>, happen to share an office. That means instant updates between ‘departments’ as the design progressed. Of course, it was just as simple to get input from the software and fabrication ‘teams’, as well. Chris or Christina would just have to walk an extra few feet down the hall!<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The initial design required an intricate weaving of electrical and physical requirements. For example, the electrical design included two sensors to collect and display heart rate data \u2013 an EKG sensor and a pulse oximeter. The EKG required the user to place both thumbs on separate conductive surfaces, while the pulse oximeter required the user to place one thumb over the sensor. This led to the design of the stainless-steel thumb contacts with a cutout in one thumb to reveal the pulse oximeter, providing data simultaneously to both sensors.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The pulse oximeter had to be mounted to the PCB while remaining accessible outside the enclosure. Once the sensor was selected, the team designed the thumb contact and incorporated it into the assembly stack-up to ensure proper positioning of the sensor. When its position was locked in, the contact footprint was folded into the electrical design to define contact points and keep out zones for other components. A similar dance defined the design details surrounding the display, the LED ring, the thumb contact LEDs, the on\/off switch, the charging port, and the battery \u2013 basically, the entire design!<\/p>\n Beyond the initial electro-mechanical design, the mechanical team had to work closely with the fabrication team to ensure the design could be completed entirely in-house within the tight timeline. This meant considering available tools, machining times, and various materials to answer two key questions:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.root3labs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/CAD-Exploded-jpg.webp” alt=”user interface heart rate display” title_text=”CAD Exploded” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.root3labs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Chad-Badge-mid-Assembly-1-jpg.webp” title_text=”Chad Badge mid Assembly” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.root3labs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Christina_Assembly-scaled.webp” title_text=”Christina_Assembly” show_bottom_space=”off” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.root3labs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/IMG_2509-scaled.webp” title_text=”IMG_2509″ show_bottom_space=”off” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”We mean it when we say we work close! Here’s Mechanical and Fabrication working (literally) side-by-side!” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h6″ title_font=”||on||||||” title_text_align=”center” title_text_color=”#ea7c00″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”The MVP is…Minimum Viable Product!” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h3″ title_font_size=”25px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.root3labs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Badge-Blog4_Photos1.png” alt=”minimum viable product” title_text=”Badge Blog4_Photos(1)” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]Every idea starts with a brainstorm. This is where we entertain wild, out-of-the-box ideas. Once we lay everything on the table, we begin to pare things down to the minimum viable product (MVP). This is the minimum list of requirements for the product to function.<\/p>\n Our MVP for this badge was a fully finished badge with an interactive screen, and the potential to evolve. We included the EKG and pulse oximeter sensors on the PCB and the stainless-steel thumb contacts to provide an easy path for development. Once included in the design, we knew we could work on the software development and UI later, so we did not include displaying the data as part of our MVP.<\/p>\n Initial software and UI development focused on displaying a contact card for the user wearing the badge. This deliverable closed the loop on the basic functionality to demonstrate the electrical, mechanical, and software components were all working together at a basic level. Although it\u2019s tempting to dive down the rabbit hole into the more interesting features, we maintained focus on building a strong foundation with the MVP. This allowed us to stay on schedule and left room for development after MEDICA.[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.23.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”What’s Next for the Smart Badge?” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h3″ title_font_size=”25px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.root3labs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Chad-at-BaltoHH-jpg.webp” title_text=”The %22Business Meeting%22 of Champions” show_bottom_space=”off” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_heading title=”Chad and the Badge out on the town” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h6″ title_font=”||on||||||” title_text_align=”left” title_text_color=”#ea7c00″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Since MEDICA, the badge has made several appearances at networking events. In parallel, our software team has been focusing on collecting and displaying heart rate data. Currently, we can collect raw sensor data showing a waveform from the EKG sensor. We then filter it and process it to reveal the dominant frequency \u2013 aka the heartbeat. The next step for this will be to create the UI elements to display this data.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Beyond the heart rate data, we would also like to display the data from one of our former projects, the Brainchild Smart Pacifier (see right)<\/em> via Bluetooth. This device displayed pressure changes in a pacifier. The Smart Pacifier included a tablet app for displaying the data providing a bridge to then display that data on our badge. How cool!<\/p>\n We are also designing next generation electronics to address some of the electrical design limitations identified in the initial build and test phase.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.root3labs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/BrainChild-EDITED-scaled.webp” alt=”smart pacifier” title_text=”BrainChild-EDITED” url=”https:\/\/www.root3labs.com\/portfolio\/smart-pacifier\/” url_new_window=”on” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”The Future is Now, Next Stop: MTC Tech Conference!” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h3″ title_font_size=”25px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n\n
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