Ortovox has a tradition of developing products for some of the harshest environments on the planet. Products that might look and feel like simple handheld devices, but are packed with latest technology and have the capability to save lives in case of emergency. One of them is the new avalanche transceiver DIRACT, which we designed for Ortovox.
Design on the edge - Usability that saves lifes
Avalanche tranceivers come into play, when it’s all about rescuing a companion buried under the snow or being found by the partner. Thus the DIRACT needs to be fast and intuitive to use, with an interface that communicates clear functions as failsafe as possible.
Our design follows the approach of reducing complexitiy, giving each function a different interaction and a specific location. Some functions were even stripped down to the essentials to save valuable seconds: Folding out the antenna automatically starts the searching process.
In designing the DIRACT we needed a deep understanding for the environment, the use case and the target group. For this highly specialized user the DIRACT was designed closer to a tool than a product. Completely sealed against water and tightly built with a shockproof housing.
The DIRACT is designed in close cooperation with the team at Ortovox to ensure highest levels of manufacturing. Sustainability comes in different forms. In this case we reduced travel distances for the team and the product itself to a minimum.
The close team work with the engineering department led to a design, incorporating best antenna performance and a housing that utilizes the sealing as an aesthetic and functional part at the same time.
In case of an avalanche, it’s important to stay calm and focused, thus the interaction elements are bold and clearly indicated ensuring a safe use especially with gloves on.
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