Life saving performance. Anywhere.
Hamilton Medical tasked RKS with transforming full-featured ICU ventilator capabilities into a truly portable, field-ready device. The T1 needed to withstand ambulances, helicopters, aircraft, and disaster zones, delivering intuitive usability for clinicians under pressure.
Research Insights & Discovery
Key Outputs
- User Personas
- Psycho-Aesthetics® 2.0 Map
- Benchmarking
- Opportunity Areas & Design Criteria
We shadowed clinicians, EMS teams, ICU specialists, and aeromedical professionals across Europe and the U.S., capturing insights around mobility, durability, and cognitive load in crisis use cases. Positioned within the enriched quadrant of our emotional matrix, the T1 balances high-tech reassurance with familiar ICU workflows
How We Used Psycho-Aesthetics™ to Identify Unique Opportunities in the Project.
Using our proprietary Psycho-Aesthetics® 2.0 framework, we conducted in-depth interviews and ethnographic observation in diverse lab settings. We identified key emotional and usability pain points, such as intimidation with complex interfaces, workspace clutter, and trust in precision. These insights guided both the form and interface strategy, ensuring approachability and confidence in operation.
Industrial Design Concept Development
Key Outputs
- CAD models and rough mockups for field testing
- Ergonomic handle and bumpers with rugged mount compatibility
- UI layout optimized for visibility, redundancy, and haptic feedback
The industrial design emphasizes resilience and clarity: soft-rubber bumpers, recessed controls, integrated handles, and display readability even with gloves. The familiar push-turn knob preserves ICU interaction patterns while shielding against inadvertent input.
Engineering & Prototyping
Key Outputs
- Prototypes for thermal, pressure, and vibration testing
- Mechanical layout with transport-ready battery and connector solutions
- Technical documentation aligned with certification standards
Built to endure stringent performance demands: IP54 ingress rating, operational range from –15 °C to +50 °C, and mounting for aircraft, ambulances, stretches, and poles. Engineers carefully integrated battery swaps, turbines, and port configurations while keeping weight under 6.5 kg.
Software & Clinical Workflows
Key Outputs
- Touchscreen UI flows for monitoring and control
- Alarm and CPR timer interface graphics
- Embedded support routines for transportation modalities
We designed ergonomically familiar UI modules and firmware menus for familiar ICU workflows: volume control, ASV, HFNC, non-invasive modes, and CPR assistance. On-screen help, alarms, and icons ensure visibility and clarity during emergencies
Key Outcomes and Results
Key Accomplishments
- Status: Successfully launched; fully deployed in ambulances, helicopters, aircraft, and field hospitals
- Market Impact:
- 71 % of German-speaking air rescue services adopt T1 in helicopters
- Seamless ICU-to-field transition with universal interface and accessory compatibility
- Features widely exceed AARC pandemic/mass-casualty performance benchmarks
The Hamilton T1 embodies RKS’s strength in creating life-critical products for high-stress situations, blending emotional clarity with tactical functionality. By harmonizing deep user insights, robust industrial design, and intuitive software workflows, we enabled clinicians to provide ICU-level care anywhere, quickly and confidently.
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