Kidsmart Vocal Smoke Detector

Traditional smoke alarms don’t wake children. SignalOne’s VSD, using the parent’s voice, is proven more effective, according to two studies performed by Victory University Sleep Lab and University of Georgia. While we developed the device around all of the basic functional requirements, the design was customer driven through research conducted at the onset of the project.

Imagine
A new smoke alarm paradigm needed a distinctive look and feel, from the form through POS packaging. But parents told us the device needed to blend into the environment once installed at home. Working as a team, research, ID, MEs and EEs imagined the form around all of the basic functional requirements and settled on a soft shape with the high quality and directional speaker as the most prominent visual element.

Implement
Electronics, mechanical and design elements were created in parallel to move quickly and to solve problems holistically. The team was also able to incorporate a range of unique features including battery lockouts, airflow / smoke routing, light piping as well as physical and audible user interface commands. Tooling and production costs, always an issue, were held in check through tight coordination with a preferred Asian production partner.

Impact
Recently introduced the device has generated significant public interest through media coverage as well as endorsements from prominent public safety organizations. It has also earned IDEA Gold, Appliance Design, Popular Mechanics and CES Innovation honors to date. Sales with mass retail distributors are ramping us nicely.