Insights | Case Studies

A connected e-cigarette device

For: Leading vaping product supplier

The issue:

We were approached by a leading vaping product manufacturer who wanted to turn their existing e-cigarette product into a connected device, adding secure data collection and giving their customers access to real time usage data via their mobile phones.

Our objective:

We set out to scope, design and develop the components necessary to add all this functionality to their product so that it was connected, secure and scalable for production.

What we did:

Strategy & feasibility

Definition of the Bluetooth connectivity and monitoring circuitry in the device,
Communication with an Android application on a phone to collect and display the data, and
Integration with a cloud platform for data collection.

Proof of concept & design

Development of the hardware and software solutions.

Development & Minimum Viable Product (MVP)

Production of the product prototype.
Design and development of the embedded software stack, including the sensor data processing and control algorithms.

Scaled solution

Circuit board for device, end-to-end integration including security and key injection hardware for the manufacturing facility.

Compliance

Ensuring hardware and software compliance with the necessary standards.

Data Capture

The development involved an extremely small circuit board using chip scale devices that could be embedded in the product and communicated to the phone application using Bluetooth. A range of parameters were measured and securely transmitted including inhalation air pressure, coil voltage, battery voltage and an accelerometer to detect user gestures.

Throughout the project we worked seamlessly with the client teams. Our experience in designing and developing connected devices and systems meant that we could anticipate potential pitfalls, and help the client navigate each stage of the product development journey.

How we did it:

The sensing technology we integrated into the product design and hardware meant that the client was able to collect important data and insight that they could then pass onto their customers. It also meant they could monitor performance and prevent any potential issues becoming bigger problems.

The outcome:

The client, a leading eCigarette company, was able to develop and scale their concept, and to successfully offer their customers a connected device with a new set of features.

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We’re a technology consulting company helping clients deliver connected devices and systems.