know labs gen1: non-invasive blood glucose monitor (no jabs!)

in late 2022, bould design was approached by know labs to help them integrate their non-invasive blood glucose monitoring technology into a portable device built in quantity to expand data collection and supercharge algorithm development. bould design would develop the industrial design and the mechanical design. fast forward six months, teams from bould design, know labs and igor institute met in seattle to assemble the first build of the know labs gen1. 

the know labs gen1 device measures blood glucose non-invasively (no needles, no jabs). this breakthrough has the potential to improve the lives of all those coping with diabetes. although it is a research tool and not commercially available, know labs felt it was important for their researchers to have refined, robust devices to enable reliable, consistent collection of large data sets and also inform the development of future devices.

the pebble-like industrial design reflects the function of being held in contact with the participant's palm or forearm. the soft ovoid form factor is topped by an antenna array that transmits and receives the rf signals. the stainless steel midplane component acts as the main structural and rf shielding component and an elastomeric foot provides grip and stability.

bould design thanks know labs for inviting us to participate in this consequential project and also thanks the know labs and igor institute engineering teams for their generous, thoughtful collaboration. 

bould design is a san francisco bay area based industrial design studio focused on developing simple, beautiful, highly functional products.