DESIGN NAME: Pellta One
PRIMARY FUNCTION: Security Device
INSPIRATION: The smartphone often accompanies us 24/7, waiting to be addressed by touch or voice. Pellta One was created to provide a place of retreat for confidential moments. The device is the audible counterpart to covering a webcam with tape.
Pellta One offers a security device that protects you from unauthorized access to your audio and video data.
UNIQUE PROPERTIES / PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Pellta One uses a specially developed signal algorithm to actively prevent the phone's microphones from picking up and passing on acoustic signals and conversations. Inside Pellta One the smartphone remains accessible and audible, but no longer "hears and sees" anything itself. The devices are developed and manufactured in Germany.
OPERATION / FLOW / INTERACTION: A core part of the design is its simplicity, which makes it accessible for a wide range of users. Unlike other technical devices, Pellta One is rather simple to use, and therefore easy to integrate into the daily routine in every work environment.
You open the cover, place up to two phones inside and close it again. That's how simple it is. Inside Pellta One the phone can't “hear or see” anything of its surroundings.
The phone remains on reception. Incoming messages and calls can still be heard.
PROJECT DURATION AND LOCATION: The project has been developed over the period from December 2019 to January 2021 in Berlin.
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PRODUCTION / REALIZATION TECHNOLOGY: Like most technical products, Pellta One consists of many different components and materials. The main body acts as the constructive center of the design. It is a CNC machined aluminum part. Top and bottom are laser cut aluminum sheets. The final appearance of the body is defined by a robust powder coating finish. All electronic components are embedded in isolating plastic housings from ABS.
SPECIFICATIONS / TECHNICAL PROPERTIES: 200 mm x 260 mm x 40 mm
TAGS: data, protection, privacy, security, smartphone, eavesdropping,
RESEARCH ABSTRACT: In our research we discovered the massive extent of damage caused by industrial espionage. In Germany alone industrial espionage has caused damage of over 102 billion Euros annually (2019), and the numbers are increasing.
We have interviewed customers who have already experienced the problem, along with professionals who are aware of its extent. We also evaluated data from state institutions and research agencies. We used close collaboration with test customers and developed questionnaires aimed at specifying their needs. They were involved from the first brainstorming sessions to the final product. Together we defined f.e. context, kind of product, handling, size and noise-level.
CHALLENGE: Comparable products are almost exclusively developed for government institutions. This realization led us to focus attention on the broader social needs of our future customers beyond the technical issues associated with extensive research. The development of this new secure-by-default product led to our patent pending technology. Another big challenge was our goal to manufacture the product in Germany. Through many prototype iterations and close contact with test customers we refined Pellta One to ensure its quiet and comfortable use in a regular work environment.
ADDED DATE: 2021-02-09 18:28:04
TEAM MEMBERS (3) : Dominik Annies, Peter Glas and Philipp Hainke
IMAGE CREDITS: Pellta
PATENTS/COPYRIGHTS: patent pending
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