Casestudy

Defendec

TenTwelve OÜ was a partner to Defendec OÜ and the Estonian Border Guard Administration in the development of completely new surveillance equipment. The product is designed for the surveillance of sites of strategic importance: national borders, oil pipelines and so on.

The brief was to create as compact and inconspicuous a surveillance device for outdoor use as possible. Additionally, the device had to be able to blend in to a variety of surroundings (forests, cities, deserts, cliffs, bodies of water etc.) and meet specific ergonomic requirements – being quick and easy to install. It also had to have a high tolerance for water and be vandalism- and theft-proof.

Concept and strategy: Work began with a background study to determine options and approaches. Similar products already available on the market were analysed, and a list was drawn up of solutions, products and systems developed for the target group.

Based on the results of this research, a range of product and solution concepts were developed which incorporated scenarios in which the product would be most useful, ideas arising from the functions it needed to have, a comparison and assessment of different types of technology and a visual analysis for the creation of a form and appearance that would be seen as trustworthy by the target group.

Various draft solutions were produced on the basis of the concepts selected, with the most promising being singled out in cooperation with the client. Functional models were then produced on the basis of the chosen solutions, after which they were tested with the help of representatives of the target group by simulating realistic situations. Analysis of the results of these tests formed the basis for further product development and the creation of a digital prototype.

In the stages of development that followed, prototypes were prepared for different conditions, functions and qualities of use. Finally, the product was tested on the premises of representatives of the target group and potential clients of Defendec OÜ.

Effect and result: Models from the preliminary series of the product are being tested and marketed in a number of European countries. The product is currently being prepped for series manufacturing, as it meets the objectives set for it, boasts unique qualities and has a competitive edge on the international market.

For more information, pleas visit www.defendec.ee