Qualcomm part:1

5 years of pioneering wearable industry

We began working with Qualcomm in 2008, helping imagine and create a world of wearable computing. At the time, there were no wearables, no Apple Watch, no Android Wear, only a technology pioneer working on enabling a new industry.

Pearl created new ways to pack technology and connectivity into tiny packages, bending methods and physics into submission. We prototyped, tested and invented ways to integrate world phone antennae into bands. A world first. We baffled manufacturers with 5-shot injections and pulled it off. A world first. We disrupted, created and turned things upside down. We helped create processes that paved the way for wearables today. Boy, was it ever fun!

Services:
Strategy
Concept
Product

Year:
2008–2012

Mirasol Display Low power, high resolution display be viewable in direct sunlight.

Multi shot injection Complex multishot construction with steel nuts rigid PC plastic, copper and elastomeric PU.

Capacitive touch screen Optical bonding between Capacitive touch sensor with coverglass.

Snapdragon System Full smartphone system based on QUALCOMM Snapdragon. First of it’s kind with fully featured cell phone on wrist.

WAN Antenna First world-phone antenna built into strap.

Staggered Construction In order to package a massive cell phone system and battery (this was 2010), but still feel great on the wrist, we used a unique staggered configuration, forming around the wrist, instead of the typical stack. This allowed us to hide the size of the device and “bend physics” so that the resulting device would feel like a regular fitness watch.

Qualcomm part:2

Creating Lifecomm

In 2009, we helped Qualcomm and several partners design and launch Lifecomm devices.

Lifecomm helped senior citizens stay connected and safe. A module that contained cellular connectivity, speaker, mic, e-ink screen and some very advanced sensors was built to be inserted into multiple wearables: watch, clip and pendant. When worn, one press connects the wearer to a call centre, which could intern provide emergency or other services. It was essentially a miniature phone one wore. It also featured fall detection and a charger that served as a night light (research showed that night falls happened in very high numbers for elderly, so we designed a method to incentivize them to take our fall detection and connectivity device, while getting an instant night light). Lifecomm and it's parent company was acquired by Verizon shortly after.

Services:
Strategy
Concept
Product

Year:
2008–2010

E-ink Display Low power consumption.

Built in button structure Multi shot construction with built in elastomeric membrane to allow for screen to act as a button. Allows for travel, but keeps the system waterproof.

Loudspeaker Using a miniature speaker we amplify sound for clear speech so that elderly users hear easily.

Elastomeric overcoat PU overmold allows us to modulate elasticity in specific parts and allows for soft touch finish.

WAN Antenna Integrated copper antenna is held inside the rigid injection part.

Antenna Contacts Contacts allow for modular attachments with built in antennae for optimal performance and flexibility.