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Outcome/Reflection
We successfully developed a mid-fidelity prototype and concept, addressing the gap in communication that can exist between parents and their hard of hearing kids. The final prototype supported Bluetooth capabilities and 3 haptic vibration patterns.
Through this project, I gained experience working on products integrating both hardware and software components. This project taught me a lot about balancing technical implementation with user needs. For example, we needed to minimize the amount of space the electrical components took up in order to keep the bracelet compact.
With more time, I would add UI feedback features to notify the parent if the alert was successful. I would also explore customizable haptic patterns, allowing parents to tailor notifications to their child's needs and preferences.
Timeline
Team
Role
Tools
Feb -Apr
2026
1 Engineer
3 Industrial Designers
UX/UI
Technical Prototyping
Figma
Arduino
In order to prevent any damage to their hearing aids, parents often remove them in destructive environments or during high intensity activities. However, this eliminates a key medium of communication between parents and their hard-of-hearing children.
Communication shouldn’t stop at the poolside.
SideKick provides a solution as a customizable haptic bracelet and app duo, designed to address the gap that exists between hard-of-hearing kids and their parents in environments where hearing aids must be removed.
Overview
When children must remove their hearing aids during activities like swimming or rough play, parents lose their main mode of communication. Suddenly, the task of getting their child's attention becomes far more difficult. The option to obtain their child's attention from a distance is no longer reliable, they must instead take the time to get within physical or visible range.
"Capturing your child's attention with severe hearing loss is a big challenge. It's like you lose your connection with them as soon as their hearing aids are out."
Problem
Through what I learned from parent interviews, I mapped out a user journey and pinpointed parent pain points. I also conducted market research, focusing on gaps that existed in the potential solutions named by parents. With these findings, I identified key features that we wanted our product to have.
Quick and simple - should require minimal effort and time from the parent
Durable - should be able to withstand harsh environments
Child-friendly - should be designed for the child's comfort and so that they are excited to wear it
With these defined criteria, we knew that our product needed to minimize friction of the alerting action for the parent while maintaining comfort for the child.
We developed the concept of SideKick: a mobile app and haptic bracelet duo. The app allows parents to easily initiate alerts, while the child's personalized bracelet delivers them through vibration.
Design Approach
The final design involved a condensed and clean UI, which followed an aesthetic meant to reinforce the fun and supportive SideKick that we wanted the kids to feel like they had. The actual bracelet itself was designed to sit comfortably on a child's wrist, while ensuring the haptic patterns can still be effective.
Solution
Our final working prototype was capable of supporting Bluetooth communication between the bracelet and the app, where the parent could choose 1 of 3 haptic patterns to execute.
The app handles the bracelet connection and haptic pattern execution. I designed the UI flow, so that the home page would always contain critical information and core functionalities. This allowed parents to alert their child in a matter of seconds.
Parent App
We developed the casing so that the curve of the haptic component would mimic the natural curve of the wrist. The electronics inside were configured to maximize contact with the haptic motor, ensuring the child would feel it during activity. The casing also included two loops that allow bracelets of all types to hook, tie, or clasp around.
Child's Bracelet
Our Working Prototype
How It Works
About Me
Gallery
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