EnCata engineered a wearable medical smartwatch with HR, HRV, and SpO₂ monitoring plus GPS, Wi-Fi connectivity. The system tracks vital signs and alerts doctors if health declines. The project spanned electronics, mechanical design and firmware development, leading to 10 MVPs.
One of the biggest challenges for wearable gadgets is balancing battery life and features. Heart rate monitoring, a key function, uses a lot of power. We couldn't cut back on measurement frequency, as that could risk the user's safety—every second counts in emergencies.
The device needed to track vital health data (Heart Rate, Heart Rate Variability, Blood Oxygen Saturation) and send it through GPS or Wi-Fi. Wrong data could cause unnecessary panic for relatives or, worse, trigger a false ambulance call, putting the user’s life in danger.
EnCata had to figure out how to fit all the tech into a small, efficient device while ensuring accurate data transfer. Plus, we had to develop an MVP for user testing, all on a limited budget.
Challenges
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Approach & Solution
To speed up MVP development and stay within the customer’s budget, we chose a standard enclosure based on the industrial design we’d already established. This helped reduce mechanical development costs. Our engineers modified the enclosure, while our designers worked on the product stickers. Using a conventional enclosure meant no extra fabrication costs, and there was no need for painting or polishing. We also machined the necessary slots and holes without the need for additional tooling or rapid prototyping.
When developing the electronics, we went through several iterations. We found that antenna placement inside the enclosure is key to reliable communication, making sure the elements don't interfere with each other and affect the signal.
3D CAD model of the Printed Circuit Board
The proprietary algorithm for processing sensor data and translating it into HR, HRV, and SpO2 readings helps maximize the capabilities of the selected sensors while reducing the device’s battery consumption.
Based on the customer’s input, we developed our own algorithm for obtaining, processing, and analyzing raw data. This ensures reliable monitoring of HR, HRV, and SpO2 readings.
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Results and Benefits
10 prototypes
with software for alpha and beta testing
3 algorithms
for HR, HRV, and SpO₂ data processing
$110K saved
by using a standard enclosure at MVP stage
Our Role
Industrial design
Mechanical design
Enclosure design
PCB development
Embedded Software Development
Prototyping
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