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Cloud9 Technology – FinTech VoIP Phone

Cloud9 Technologies

A disruptive VoIP investment trading system big banks are betting on.

An Inside Glimpse Into the Product Development of Cloud9's VoIP System and Wideband Handset

Background & Design Requirements

Cloud9 Technologies approached Design 1st to develop a mission-critical VoIP communication system for financial traders after their initial design concept from another firm proved challenging to implement.

Cloud9 needed a complete hardware/software ecosystem, including a custom wideband audio handset and base station to integrate with its software platform for voice-enabled trading seamlessly. Key requirements included:

Physical Design Challenges

Design 1st transformed Cloud9’s initial concept renderings into a manufactured product by solving complex physical, electronics and acoustic design challenges.

Our industrial designers, mechanical and electronics engineers collaborated to bridge the gap between visual appeal and practical functionality, ensuring the final product met both performance requirements and production constraints. Key challenges included:

Image: 3D Rendering of Handset
cloud9-electronics-prototyp

Electronics Design Challenges

The Cloud9 VoIP system required sophisticated electronics engineering to deliver the high-quality audio performance demanded by traders in fast-paced environments. Design 1st’s electronics team addressed several technical obstacles while integrating with Cloud9’s software platform and accommodating the physical design constraints. Key challenges overcome included:

Project Results

Design 1st delivered a complete VoIP trading system for Cloud9 through a multi-year partnership with multiple hardware iterations and hands-on manufacturing support in China. This complex project yielded impressive business outcomes for Cloud9:

From $65m Funded Startup to Global-Leading VoIP Financial Trading Platform Acquired by Symphony

“Design 1st’s designers and engineers brought a deep understanding of telecom technology, wideband audio and production development to help us develop a world-class VoIP platform for our financial trading users. On top of this, the team helped guide us through supplier selection, manufacturing, and post-launch production support”

cloud-9-cio-leo
Leo Papadopoulos

CIO and Founder, Cloud9 Technologies

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Published on: March 2, 2026

SkyX – Drone Recharging Station

SkyX - Drone Re-Charging Station

Remote Drone Garage - Aerial Mapping Pipelines and Utility Rightaways

An Inside Glimpse Into the Development of SkyX's Drone Recharging Station

sky-x-3d-cad-shipping-conta
Exploring different garage concepts

Product Design Requirements

SkyX came to Design 1st needing help redesigning their remote-controlled drone recharging station. The current design cost was 2.5x the target cost and was challenging to manufacture, assemble, and transport.

Design and Engineering Challenges

To meet SkyX’s requirements, the Design 1st team chose a custom shipping container and began work on the internal design, component selection, and testing.
sky-x-inside-container
Design and Test of Dual-Axis Gantry System
skyx-results-drone-data
SkyX UAV Aerial System Product Specs

SkyX Product Results

SkyX accepted delivery of the fully functional prototype right at their 7-month timeline and put into field use for testing. The results were a success, and SkyX began a low-volume manufacturing run to expand operations.

Design 1st helped us deliver an exceptional product to market

“We didn’t look at this shipping container project as ‘one and done.’ We wanted a product that could be replicated for scale and the Design 1st team has enabled us to do just. Their team’s forward-thinking approach complemented ours and this partnership resulted in a customized container that protects, charges and transports our aerial vehicles virtually anywhere around the world.”
didi-horn-skyx-ceo
Didi Horn

Founder & CEO, SkyX

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Published on: February 19, 2026

Calibre Bio – Wearable Breath Tracker

Calibre Biometrics

World's First Wearable for Breath Tracking Biometrics

Calibre Biometrics

Explore the full product development journey of the design and engineering of Calibre Biometrcs

Prototype Evolution: Benchmodel to Pre-Production Device

Product Design Requirements

After interviewing over a dozen product design firms, Calibre selected Design 1st to help bring the innovative wearable breath monitor from the lab to manufacturing and launch in the marketplace.

Design and Engineering Challenges

When Calibre came to Design 1st, the first project was an R&D exercise to find out if moving laboratory sensors and monitoring equipment into a consumer wearable device was possible. Once this was confirmed the Design 1st identified and solved several major technical risks to deliver the finished device ready for manufacturing.
Mannequin head with Calibre Test Equipment

Software Development Challenges

When Design 1st began the embedded software development, the challenge was clear: replicate $100,000 worth of laboratory equipment in a $500 consumer device. The team developed custom firmware that could capture and analyze breath composition fifty times per second, transforming complex sensor data into real-time metabolic insights.

Design 1st solved the complex challenge of capturing accurate metabolic data from multiple sensors while maintaining medical-grade precision in a consumer breath monitoring device through innovative firmware development and automated testing systems.

Calibre PCB Prototype Board
First volume production run parts

Product Results

Design 1st helped Calibre set up a robust global supply chain and manufacturing partners and move the final product to market. The result was an award-winning innovative health and fitness device that delivers on the challenging task of taking medical lab sensor equipment into a wearable device.

Creating the World's First Wearable to Unlock the Data in Your Breath

“Design 1st’s creative, product design, and mechanical engineering services are highly distinctive. The team is intelligent and experienced, and their rapid prototyping and testing capabilities played a pivotal role in shaping our groundbreaking device.”

Udi Meirav

CEO and Founder, Calibre Biometrics Inc.

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Published on: February 17, 2026

Caframo – Boat Hatch Fan

Caframo: Taku Hatch Fan

Innovative High-Powered Marine Hatch Fan

An Inside Glimpse Into the Development of Caframo's Haku Boat Hatch Fan

Background & Design Requirements

The client came to Design 1st wanting a high-powered marine hatch fan that would deliver fast, cool comfort to boaters. The fan needed to:

Product Design Challenges

Implementing Design 1st’s proven process, the team was able to overcome several obstacles to:

Product Results

Through creativity and technical understanding, the Design 1st team developed an award-winning product that:

Award-Winning boat fan that went from idea to fully manufactured in under 6 months

“Design 1st’s designers and engineers demonstrated the right creativity and technical understanding, managing the product design and testing process. The result is an award winning product the market has really embraced.”
image 337
Mike Tettenborn
Director of Engineering, Caframo Ltd.

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Published on: February 17, 2026

Armstrong Pumps

Armstrong Pumps

Re-imagining a family of commercial fluid flow products for a global brand

Learn how an 80-year global enterprise refreshed a family of intelligent fluid flow systems and products by collaborating with a product design company

Background & Design Requirements

Armstrong came to Design 1st wanting to refresh the entire product-line of industrial pumps to match their historic brand and add new connected functionality:

Engineering Challenges

Tackling an entire product family for design revisions while maintaining product quality and reducing manufacturing costs is a massive challenge that was overcome through several activities.
armstrong-exploded-bomb

Product Results

Following a twelve-month product design program, the first new Armstrong pump equipment products began rolling off the production line garnishing strong results, including:

Revolutionizing the 100-year old method of pump collar connection

“Design 1st should be commended for contributing to the overall vision of all lines of Armstrong product. The parabolic whiplash shape is coherent, innovative and embedded in the idea of science versus design”
Neil Halverson,

Design Strategist, Armstrong Fluid Technology Inc.

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Published on: January 26, 2026

Prodrive Systems – Dental Drill

ProDrive Systems - Dental Drill

ProDrive Universal High-Speed Dental Drill System

An Inside Glimpse Into the Development of ProDrive's Dental Drill

Prodrive Engineering
Exploded View of High Speed Drill Components

Background & Design Requirements

ProDrive Systems came to Design 1st with innovative methods to disrupt the traditional high-speed drill and needed help to finalize the design and bring the device to market.

Engineering Challenges

By following a rigorous medical development process with prototype and testing, the team overcame several tough technical challenges:
parts
High Tolerance Machined Parts for testing variety of handpieces
Production Turbines were produced for all major handpiece brands

Product Results

The Design 1st team helped ProDrive develop and manufacture a disruptive tool for the dentist industry that delivers superior hand piece performance, accuracy and increased cutting speed, improving the overall experience for both patients and dentists.

Disruptive dental drill innovative moved from concept to volume manufacturing

“Design 1st’s considerable design expertise and manufacturing knowledge allowed us to completely outsource our development and their one stop expertise helped us become the leading dental technology company revolutionizing our industry.”
Richard St-Pierre

President and CEO, ProDrive Systems

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Published on: May 19, 2025

lūp – Magnetic USB Cable

Lūp Cable - Self Organizing Magnetic Cable

Revolutionary flexible magnetic, self-coiling USB-C cable with fast charging

An Inside Glimpse Into the Product Design of Lūp Cable Magnetic USB-C Cord

USB-C Magnetic Cable Concept

Product Design Requirements

Aiming to revolutionize cable management with magnetic technology, Reaction Labs collaborated with Design 1st to advance their initial Lūp Cable design. The project focused on surpassing typical USB-C and Apple performance criteria while introducing a self-coiling mechanism. Product design goals and requirements included:

Engineering Challenges

The Lūp Cable‘s innovative design posed unique engineering challenges, particularly in integrating magnetic coiling with high electrical performance. The Design 1st team needed to ensure these features did not compromise the cable’s functionality or standards compliance. Challenges included:

usb-c-thermal-imaging
Thermal Imaging of prototype cable
Amazon Product Image of Lūp

Product Results

Lūp Cable’s swift transition from concept to market exemplifies Design 1st’s capacity for rapid innovation and effective execution. Released in just three months, the product quickly rose to prominence on Amazon, marking a significant achievement in the competitive tech accessories market. Its user-friendly design and powerful functionality have garnered positive reviews and robust sales figures.

Magnetic Lūp cable moves from concept to volume production in under four months

We recognized the inherent frustrations users face with traditional charging cables – from tangled messes to easily damaged wires. Our goal with Lūp was to address these pain points head-on. Through close collaboration with Design 1st, we were able to seamlessly translate this vision into a reality, ensuring Lūp not only meets but exceeds user expectations.

Founder, Reaction Labs LLC 

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Published on: April 24, 2024

General Fuel Cell

General Fuel - Aluminum Fuel Cell Innovation

Revolutionary Aluminum-Air Fuel Cell Provides Sustainable Electricity

An Inside Glimpse Into the Product Design of General Fuel's Aluminum-Air Fuel Cell

Original Proof-of-Concept Client Prototype

Product Design Requirements

General Fuel Systems Inc. approached Design 1st to help commercialize their aluminum-air battery, starting with a scale-down and enhancing their existing R&D technology. The goal was to refine the initial concept, complete detailed engineering, and produce a fully functional prototype, improving functionality, safety, and environmental impact.

Engineering Challenges

Addressing the technical complexities of miniaturizing the aluminum-air fuel cell presented a multifaceted challenge for the Design 1st engineering team. The primary focus was on maintaining high energy efficiency and user safety in a smaller form factor while also managing the intricate electro-mechanical systems and fluid dynamics required for optimal performance. Key challenges included:

3D CAD of Final Fuel Cell Concept
Bench-model testing of fuel cell fluid flow

Project Results

General Fuel’s engagement with Design 1st culminated successfully with the completion of detailed engineering for the aluminum-air battery. The system’s designs underwent virtual simulation and testing, a prototype was ready for fabrication, and all essential documentation was transferred to the client to secure additional funding and industry backing in the technology.

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Published on: April 23, 2024

Lumenera Case Study

Lumenera - Microscopy Cameras

Ongoing Design Support Paves Lumenera's Path to Mass Production Success

An Inside Glimpse Into the Product Development Support of Lumenera's Camera Product Line

Lumenera Prototype Parts

Product Design Requirements

Seeking to expand their market reach, Lumenera enlisted Design 1st’s expertise to refine the design of their camera lineup for mass production. The multi-year project involved modifying six camera types to achieve large-scale manufacturing efficiency. Key design specifications included:

Design and Engineering Activities

Design 1st tackled tough engineering challenges to prepare Lumenera’s cameras for mass production. Their success led to a long-term partnership as Lumenera’s go-to mechanical design team. Accomplishments included:

Lumenera Manufactured Part
Eric Ramsden, Direct of Product at Lumenera showcases the newest USB 3 cameras at the AIA Vision Show.

Lumenera Project Results

Design 1st’s six-year collaboration with Lumenera played a crucial mechanical design role in refining and preparing their camera technology for the global market. Their work underpinned Lumenera’s continuous innovation, contributing to its acquisition by Teledyne in 2019.

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Published on: March 25, 2024

Molecule – Industrial Dehumidification

Molecule™ - Atmospheric Water Generator

Lab to Marketplace Breakthrough Harvesting Drinking Water From Air

An Inside Glimpse Into the R&D Exploration and Product Development of Molecule's Innovation Material

molecule-base-material-rece
Molecule's Innovative Material in Powder Form

Product Design Requirements

California-based R&D Thinktank, Molecule chose Design 1st to transform a revolutionary desiccant nanomaterial developed by the University of Limerick into a commercial prototype that absorbs moisture from air.

Design and Engineering Challenges

Taking a groundbreaking nanomaterial from lab to commercially viable prototype presented a maze of design engineering challenges the teams worked through:
molecule-thermal-testing-ma
Benchmodel thermal testing of material in wheel form
Proof-of-Concept Prototype

Molecule Product Results

Molecule’s R&D exploration to transform an innovative nano-material into a commercially viable product was a success. The fully functional prototype worked, and multiple commercial applications for the unique material were developed, transforming Molecule into a global leader in the water technology industry.

Deepest bench of technical engineering and design talent

“I did a lot of due diligence while selecting a product development company, and Design 1st had the deepest bench for technical capability. They worked on such a broad range of products with successful commercialization. Design 1st’s early efforts in prototype development helped us move from a powder substrate into a commercial product for testing.”

Kurt Francis

CTO and Co-Founder, Molecule

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Published on: November 1, 2023