After the development and launch of their first product by their own team, Redwave Technology approached Nexus to collaborate on the design of two additional products. The new products under development were to be more dynamic in terms of their portability and capability, in comparison to the original ThreatID FTIR device. While the ThreatID can easily be transported, it is larger and mounted within an off-the-shelf ruggedized hard case, which creates some limitations in field use cases. 

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Continuing to leverage their expertise with Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), RedWave’s goal was to develop a dedicated gas identifier, called XplorIR. Also based in FTIR technology but used for analyzing chemical and biological solid or liquid substances would be ProtectIR. Both needed to be lighter, smaller and more user-optimized for work in rugged, potentially hazardous environments.

Nexus was tasked with designing the two products in parallel, focusing on optimized enclosures, as well as user touch points and controls. This created the opportunity to contribute on several levels. 

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First, the two products needed to be engineered to perform and survive harsh environmental conditions. Both required high standards for dust and water ingress protection. ProtectIR additionally required Mil spec 810G standards for shock, vibration, and temperature extremes. The enclosures would need to incorporate high impact plastic or metal enclosures, robust gasketing, as well as generous molded rubber bumpers to protect against damaging impacts.

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While XplorIR and ProtectIR had to be highly ruggedized, these requirements could not be met at the expense of usability for the niche user catgories of military personnel and first responders. Given that the products would be used while wearing restrictive protective clothing and thick heavy gloves, user interface features like handles and keypads needed to scale up to maximize ease of use.

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On top of the essential requirements came the opportunity to generate visual language that emphasized the ruggedized features and connected to the emergency situations where these products are used. XplorIR and ProtectIR are overlaid in visual details that are very angular and acute. These elements aid the requirement for rubber bumpers to project out beyond the main device but also evoke the zigzag graphical striping patterns common to emergency vehicles. The overall visual and tactile design works to underscore performance credibility and implies a subtle empathy for the work being performed with RedWave’s growing suite of threat detection devices. 

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This successful product line expansion helped increase not only revenue and positive impact in the chemical identification product space, but also the prospect of acquisition. RedWave Technology was acquired in April of 2024 by 908 Devices, who is also a company that develops and manufactures chemical and biological analysis equipment. Both companies share a passion for innovation and service to their customers, which can only grow like the newly augmented 908 Devices team.