Kids Smart Toothbrush

Client country: China

Services: Industrial design｜Machine design｜Hardware development｜Firmware development｜Functional prototyping｜Packaging design

Project Background

WanYin is a startup product brand dedicated to using intelligent products to help children develop good habits. Consider how to define a unique smart toothbrush product for a new brand to differentiate it from competitors. Lack of professional designer to find a creative concept for the product. Absence of a professional development team to bring good concepts to products.

Solution

In terms of product positioning, we conducted market and user research to identify the core issue the product needed to address: how to help children focus on brushing their teeth for 2 minutes.
Inspired by Maria Montessori’s quote, “Play is the work of the child,” we set out to create a gamified product experience that would turn brushing teeth into an engaging and fun activity for children, making each child feel like a hero fighting off invading monsters.

Project Process

Step 1-Smart Toothbrush Design

We gained an understanding of the current state of the pediatric smart toothbrush market through market research, user studies, and analysis of trends in smart home appliances. This market currently offers many product types, but they are highly homogeneous. Most are modified adult toothbrushes with cute designs, yet they fail to address the real issue of children’s brushing habits.

Through interviews and analysis of parents and children, we discovered that the biggest challenge in children’s oral care is “how to instill a habit of focusing on brushing for 2 minutes.” Through a series of brainstorming sessions, we aimed to attract children’s attention by gamifying the brushing experience, making it enjoyable rather than a chore.

Leveraging the advantages of integrating hardware and software in smart products, we aimed to provide a fresh experience each day, encouraging children to develop good habits.

Designers focused on the keyword “game” and created a series of concepts and sketches, such as a giraffe eating vegetables, cavity monsters, whales battling cleaning fish, astronauts exploring, and captains with mechanics. We then conducted voting among parents and children, ultimately selecting
the “cavity monster” concept.

We further developed the “cavity monster” concept, adding more product details and interactive elements to make the product more tactile and engaging. We also considered the product’s use environment, such as the bathroom, and implemented features like non-slip feet or hanging designs to prevent immersion in water. We paid close attention to details such as waterproofing, mold-resistant materials, and electronic components meeting high waterproof standards. Cost control was crucial, given our entry into a competitive market. Therefore, we evaluated factors like the number of components and material choices to strike a balance for our educational robot design.

Step 2-Smart Toothbrush Engineering

We developed a software and hardware system that allowed children to interact with the device through voice commands and partnered with Himalaya for cloud-based content. Parents could view their child’s brushing data in real-time on their mobile phones to monitor oral health

For packaging and poster design, we continued the initial design concept, visually portraying a young astronaut hero preparing to embark on a space mission, fighting off monsters and protecting the Earth. This resonated with most children’s dreams and parents’ expectations, creating an emotional connection with users.

Step 2-Prototyping

We used 3D printing and CNC machining to create prototypes and validate the user experience.
During the prototyping process, we made multiple adjustments to the design of both the appearance and structure. Once the sample was finalized, we initiated mass production.

Value

From concept to final product, the project was completed within almost six months. This success led to the company securing its first round of funding and moving quickly into mass production. Upon launch, the product received unanimous praise and appreciation from users.