Affordable
Auto SOS
Manual SOS
Apple Watch
SPOT X 2-Way
ACR ResQlink 400
Garmin InReach Mini 2
SPOT Gen 4
Zoleo
ACR Bivy Stick
How might we design a solution that intelligently detects when a hiker stops responding and automatically sends help, while adapting to terrain and distinguishing emergencies from rest.
HANDHELD | WEARABLE | MANUAL+AUTO SOS
Consumer
Rugged
Consumer + Rugged
Total 09 Participants
Selected Concepts
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Introducing the
ORIS APP
Normal Mode: Green LED
Passive SOS Check-in: Blue LED
Mechanical Power Generation: Orange LED
Low Battery: Yellow LED
SOS Mode: Red LED
ORIS
"Never off the Map,
Never out of Reach."
ORIS is a rugged, intuitive device that provides autonomous, always-on safety for hikers venturing beyond cellular networks.
Built around a Passive SOS switch mechanism, ORIS monitors user activity and automatically broadcasts location alerts if prolonged inactivity is detected during a trek — proactively preventing emergencies and enabling reliable distress signaling when hikers are incapacitated, quietly and without requiring active input.
Software: SolidWorks, KeyShot, Figma, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Vizcom, Gemini AI
Skillset: Sketching, CAD, 3D Rendering, User Research, Prototyping, CMF, UI Design
THE PROBLEM
Affordable devices require manual SOS activation (leaving injured users helpless), while expensive devices with automatic features cost $300-800+. The research found 67% of hikers want automatic detection.
"Every affordable hiking safety device fails when injured users cannot respond—a gap the market has not addressed."
Dual-Purpose Safety Slider: Conscious Engagement and Automatic Emergency Detection
The ORIS safety slider combines user engagement and automatic emergency detection. Users confirm "I'm OK" every 20 minutes; if no response within 90 seconds, an automatic SOS is triggered.
Mechanical Power Generation
ORIS' mechanical power generation solves the problem of sending an SOS when electronics fail or batteries die. The purely mechanical system requires no electronics and guarantees SOS transmission with just 50 rotations.
50 Rotations = 05 Watts (for SOS transmissions)
50 Rotations = 60 seconds
Intelligent Override System
The REST/HIKE toggle allows users to pause automatic SOS detection during planned breaks, preventing false alarms. HIKE mode resumes active monitoring, giving users control while maintaining trust.
Conscious Emergency Activation
The red SOS button requires users to slide the button downward and hold for 5 seconds, preventing accidental triggering. The button's design balances accessibility and intentionality, ensuring SOS is only triggered when truly necessary.
BACK PANEL ACCESS
The integrated LED provides instant status feedback through color and pulse patterns, communicating device state at a glance. It ensures that the users don't need to check screens to know their device status.
Multi-wear Flexibility
Zoom in/out for Maps
Type C Charging Port
Satellite Communication
Frontlit E-Ink Display
Gorilla Glass
Hand Crank
Rechargeable 3.7V Li-ion Battery
Battery Life: 57 Hours
Stained Polycarbonate: A premium, rugged engineering plastic that withstands UV degradation and outdoor exposure. Its matte, stained appearance and impact-resistant properties make it ideal for the ORIS device, ensuring durability and aesthetic appeal in challenging environments.
ORIS Material Used:
Technology and Details:
Sage Mist
Stained Indigo Blue
Deep Carbon Black
UI Design
Passive SOS Switch Setup
Current SAR Operation
SAR Operations with ORIS - IMPACT
PROCESS PHOTOS
Prototyping Phase 02 - Feedback Refinement, Finalizing Details
Audio Feedback System
The speaker provides audio cues for critical states, enabling hands-free confirmation and instant communication of device status, ensuring accessibility outdoors.
LEDs and their meaning!
