Argus 3 - thermal imaging camera
Optimising products for work in extreme environments…
the brief
The Argus 3 is a thermal imaging camera for firefighters, allowing them to see through thick smoke or even in total darkness to track heat signatures. The client e2v technologies approached us as, with advances in technology and more competitors appearing on the market, they decided they needed a fresh approach to this product.
the design
The design was primarily based on consumer insights obtained while training with firefighters. Often the best way to understand how a product can be improved for consumers is to watch how they interact with this product normally.
For instance, the thermal imaging camera was reasonably heavy, making it easy to drop and difficult to quickly pass. Hence, the design we created was robust and hard to damage, but also easy to handle and grip even with the thick gloves worn by firefighters.
As well as being commercially successful, with a home office order making it the camera of choice for UK fire crews, the design has received 7 national and international design awards and is in the MoMA collection in New York. (Below is an image of our design besides the product's predecessor).
"This product packages advanced technology into a modular, simple housing based on real needs and the difficulties of saving lives in the harshest of environments. What product could be better?"
Gordon Bruce; IDSA, Chair of Judges IDEA/Business Week awards
