Industrial design drives innovative, real-world solutions

Supporting a brand deliver the world's 1st handeheld 4 in 1digital water meter

Case study: AQUASCAN for Salamander

A multi award winning solution to the problem of diagnosing water,
AquaScan uniquely combines 4 sensing technologies in one device to deliver precise readings on water flow, pressure, temperature and hardness indication. By design it ensures installers can efficiently get the insights needed to specify and service combi boilers, unvented cylinders, specify shower pumps / water boosting solutions, carry out temperature checks and deliver routine diagnostic assessments.

the challenge from this:

+4 tools, multiple time consuming steps and no concurrent data capture.

AquaScan device by Salamander Pumps featuring a screen displaying flow, temperature, pressure, and TDS readings, with three buttons below and a valve control attached at the bottom.

to this:

Replacing cumbersome individual testing tools with concise live data.

Silhouette of a black salamander with red markings on a transparent background.

5 industry awards

The X-ray user interface

The need for clarity and simplicity: a demonstrable way of showing water flow, dynamic and static pressure, water hardness and temperature. Generating a user interface that essentially shows a slice through a water pipe, simple and easier for a home owner to understand and thus build trust.

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AquaScan digital water monitoring device attached to a silver kitchen faucet over a dual sink, displaying flow, temperature, pressure, and TDS on its screen.

Text reading 'PRECISE WATER INSIGHT' in uppercase letters on a white background.

unique combination of 4 sensing technologies

AquaScan device with a grey frame and display screen showing flow, temperature, and pressure readings, attached to transparent and brass plumbing components labeled Salamander Pumps.

Transparent electronic water valve device showing internal green circuit board and brass valve components in a side view on a white background.

20 months from start to production

Pace with purpose, a collaborative process working with the client's inhouse engineering team.

Various electronic components, circuit boards, flow meters, and connectors arranged on a green grid cutting mat, including a Salvamander Pumps labeled brass part and an open electronics enclosure with wiring.

A Salamander Pumps AquaScan device with its casing off, showing internal components, placed on a green grid cutting mat with various other disassembled mechanical and electronic parts in the background.

Hands of two people reviewing various colorful technical sketches and designs of mechanical or industrial components spread out on a white table.

Close-up of hands assembling and examining small mechanical and electronic device parts on a table with technical drawings and multiple device casings.

Table with mechanical device sketches, various black and translucent plastic parts, and Pantone solid chips coated color swatches in shades of green.

Close-up of four black plastic protective casings for a device, one with a display screen, arranged diagonally on a light surface with blurred sketches and design drawing papers and parts in the background.

Person holding an AquaScan device with Salamander Pumps branding, featuring a display screen and control buttons on a light-colored surface with blurred objects in the background.

A person holding the completed Aquascan water meter device, with various electronic and mechanical prototype parts blurred on a table in the background.

Delivering:

Sector Innovation and Award Recognition
Out of 11,000 global entrants across 66 nations, this solution received the prestigious iF Design Award, standing out as one of only a few UK recipients of this international design accolade. Along with 5 national industry awards for innovation and marketing.

Fulfilling Key User Requirements
‍Designed to serve both installer and property owner in residential and commercial applications:
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Energy Conservation: Pinpoint critical hot water energy-saving opportunities while diagnosing and mitigating energy waste.
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Maintenance Optimisation: Lower potential repair bills by identifying water hardness challenges and outlining actionable treatment plans.
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Commercial Growth: Solidify sector leadership and drive demand for comprehensive solutions across their existing water flow management product portfolio.

Black rugged carry case labelled AquaScan precision water insight by Salamander Pumps on a light gray background above the text 'Let's go'.

Refining the ripple effects of new technology

An easy empty solution

Case study: Cordless stick vacuum

While bag free cleaning had improved cleaning efficiency the dust cloud and emptying had become a nuisance.

Frustrated by unwieldy traditional stick vacuums, indoor dust clouds, and stubborn debris like wet mess or spilled cereal, consumers often carried units outside or wished to rinse the bin. Addressing these pain points, the redesigned bowl detaches effortlessly in one fluid motion for easy emptying and washing.

Transparent vacuum cleaner dust bowl container with an open bottom releasing dust and debris, with arrows indicating a rotating action at the top and inside the container.

Cordless stick vacuum cleaner mounted on a wall dock with transparent dustbin, digital display on the battery, and a slim tube labeled 'Power Series Extreme'.

Cordless stick vacuum cleaner mounted on a wall charger, featuring a transparent dustbin, black and silver body, and a detachable cleaning tool attached to the side.

Cordless stick vacuum cleaner mounted on a wall with a detachable clear dustbin floating beside it and two cleaning attachments held on the mounting.

Wall-mounted cordless stick vacuum cleaner with detachable transparent dust container beside it, showing attachments on the vacuum's shaft and a 20V battery on top.

Simply efficient

Making it automatically efficient

Case study: FLOOR sense technology

Helping alleviate consumer concerns over cordless runtime and performance when making the transition from corded to cordless cleaning, by optimising performance floor across surface types.

Close-up of a vacuum cleaner rotating brush head transitioning from wooden floor to cream carpet, with a blue arrow indicating the brush rotation direction.

It feels the floor underneath

Sensing the floor type by using a measurement of the power loads on the brush bar motor through the bristles of the brush bar. The lighter the energy load, the smoother the floor is underneath and therefore the easier the pick up.
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Vacuum cleaner head with rotating brush shown on a surface half carpet and half wooden flooring, demonstrating transition between floor types.

Close-up of a vacuum cleaner brush roll with purple, red, and green bristles positioned over a surface transitioning from carpet to hardwood floor.

Automatically reducing or increasing the vacuum power and brushbar speed to suit floor types. Optimising performance, saving energy and protecting hardwood floor types from too aggressive brushbars.

Incorporate accent colouring inspired by Oral-B toothbrushes, to emphasise features such as pet hair capture, anti-tangle technology, and specialized brush designs optimised for hard floors or carpets.

Thoughtful solutions

Observational based innovation

Case study: steam mop cleaning

Following extensive European household visits, gathering home cleaning insight studies: identifying pain points + developing user focused solutions to generating a demonstrable product solution.

Steam-Mop

Delivering on user needs innovative solutions
Building a multi million dollar category
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At your fingertips

Insights:
“I do not want to damage my hardwood flooring, but I need power for stubborn stains and porcelain tiles. How do I know what setting to use?”
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“My open plan home has a mix of flooring types”

Solution:
Handle command steam control and simple icons, plus a shot of steam for those stubborn dried on bits in the kitchen. A UI based on the wildly recognised steam iron steam shot and dial.

Close-up of a steam mop handle with a curved blue and white grip, a red steam button, a gray arrow button, and a circular dial showing cleaning settings for wood, tiles, vinyl, stone, and marble.

Lift off tank

“I do not want stagnant water left in the unit and tipping a steam mop upside down to empty it does not appeal to me... I like it clean and tidy.. oh and can it be easily filled under a small sink?”
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Two views of a transparent plastic water tank, one view shows the lid open, demonstrating it is removable from the steam mop and easy to refill under a tap / faucet

No clog pump

Addressing users' concern about hardwater, blocking the device and competitive warranty studies meant we needed a different pump, the solution was peristaltic as in dialysis machines so one that did not touch the water.
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Top-down view of a Black+Decker steam mop with transparent casing showing internal colourful components, alongside a separate close-up of a circular mechanical water pump part with green, blue, and orange discs.

Self standing pivot
+
Auto steam shut off

Patented feature solving the risk of steam mop falling when user stops to move furniture to clean underneath.

Automatically locks the pivot to stand upright and simultaneously shuts off steam delivery to the pad, protecting floor underneath.

Close-up of a Black+Decker steam mop head attachment showing internal pivot lock mechanism and locking latch with arrow indicator.

Four electric steam mops and two handheld steam cleaners with microfiber pads, all in white and blue, displayed against a white background.

A platform covering entry to premium price points, all sharing a standardised interchangeable washable microfibre steam mop pad.

Steam Mop FSM1600 received the German Plus X Award and the "Plus X Award recommendation". Recognised the product for its high quality, design, ease of use and chemical-free sanitisation.