Milo 群組語音通訊器 by Peter Celinski is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2022 A' Design Award 銀獎 in 運動用品設計 Competition Category.

銀運動用品· 2022

Milo 群組語音通訊器

by Peter Celinski

Client: Loose Cannon Systems

A' Design Award 銀獎 Winner in 運動用品 Category

41,192

Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #138393

Visit Site View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

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The Design

About Milo 群組語音通訊器

Milo係一款專為戶外運動而設嘅可穿戴群組通訊器。無論係滑雪、踩單車、衝浪定行山，Milo都可以令團隊成員之間免提對話。六個數碼咪高風、內置揚聲器同埋音頻處理演算法，可以減低風聲同背景噪音。加密網狀網絡連接各個裝置，覆蓋範圍超過1,300米，擴展至成個團隊。裝置直徑65毫米、厚度20毫米，重87克。Milo防水，並以磁性夾扣固定。

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award 銀獎

Milo 群組語音通訊器是 A' Design Award 銀獎得主，這是授予頂級、華美而令人印象深刻的設計的極為崇高的認可。銀獎得主是極其卓越、極具創造力的作品，展現出其設計師傑出的專業技能、才華與敏銳。預計Milo 群組語音通訊器將成為一件出色的典範之作，兼具非凡的專業性與深刻的創新性。這件贏得 A' Design Award 銀獎的設計是一項備受矚目、令人欽佩的發明，造福並拓展藝術、科學、設計和技術的界限。Milo 群組語音通訊器是一件令人羨慕的創作，它喚起渴望，帶來積極的情感，並激發驚嘆與讚嘆。

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: Milo™ - The Action Communicator is the walkie-talkie reimagined. It enables hands-free, multi-way, group voice conversation in the moment, enabling adventurers to speak while on the trails, slopes or water.

Sophisticated audio processing algorithms and a proprietary mesh network are combined with an intuitive user interface and thoughtful industrial design to deliver an unmatched group interaction experience.
Dimensions & Packaging: Dimensions: 65mm diameter, 20mm thick
Weight: 87 grams.
Tags: Action communicator, Go far and stay close.
Production Technology: Milo combines a proprietary mesh networking protocol, advanced audio processing algorithms, six integrated digital microphones and a custom built-in speaker to deliver clear voice even in windy or noisy conditions. Milo may optionally be paired with a Bluetooth headset and is waterproof and rugged.

Range exceeds 1,300 meters between devices. The encrypted MiloNet™ mesh network extends the range for the group if members are spread out further.

Milo provides awareness via audible notifications about others in the group - for instance, when someone is approaching out-of-range or when they rejoin the group.
Design Challenge: The core challenge in developing Milo was to deliver a voice experience users would trust in even the most extreme outdoor conditions.

Trust for us means connection reliability, clarity of voice, resilience to noise and wind, all in a rugged package.

The entire experience needed to be delivered in a small, light form factor and coupled with a simple, intuitive user experience.

The underlying engineering challenges were immense - requiring the development of novel acoustic noise and wind noise reduction algorithms, a proprietary mesh network specifically tailored for reliable delivery of voice as well as numerous user interface innovations.
Research: The research methodology was simple - we asked extreme sports enthusiasts - skiers, mountain bikers, surfers, climbers and others, via over one thousand online surveys and dozens of in-person interviews:

"how useful would having the ability to communicate with others in your group be?"

"please describe how you might use a device that enables you to communicate hands-free, phone-free, eye-free"

The response was massive and overwhelming. Many people wrote entire essays about how a device like Milo would entirely transform their adventure experience.

We also ran an extensive pre-launch process via ads on social media - again to gauge interest - from this we gathered over 50,000 email subscribers.

Finally, we ran a Kickstarter campaign - taking in pre-orders for over 17,000 Milos from almost 6,000 backers across the USA, Canada, Europe and Australia.
Inspiration: Six years ago, founder Peter Celinski found himself staring down one of Whistler's famous steep, powder covered black diamond ski runs.

By the time he could yell out to his two fearless kids, they began to drop off-piste and disappeared through the trees. He had no choice but to follow.

After a humbling descent and with pants filled with snow from multiple falls, Peter realized having a way to communicate while in the action was essential. The idea for Milo was born.
Project Duration: Milo has been under development for over 5 years with the Milo team members across San Francisco, London, Seattle, Sydney and Melbourne.
Operation Flow: Milo is simple to use. Users simply clip on their Milo and go.

When a user speaks, Milo picks up the voice and transmits it to others, without needing to stop to push a button. Others then hear the received voices over the built-in speaker. Unlike turn-based push-to-talk radios, they can respond in real-time and even talk over each other.

Creating Milo groups requires bringing each Milo device in close proximity and pressing the grouping button.

Milo provide spoken confirmations for each action, such as grouping, pairing a Bluetooth headset, battery level and other key functions.

Milo is attached using one of the four Milo clips which feature a magnetic alignment mechanism and a mechanical lock.
Patents: Trademark: Milo, Serial Number 87790583
Trademark: The Action Communicator, Serial Number 90323483
Trademark: Milonet, Serial Number 88466089

Patented under:
US Patent Number: 10347299
US Patent Number: 10451719
US Patent Number: 10003625
US Patent Number: 10237317
US Patent Number: 10938873
US Patent Number: 11047965

Other patents pending.
Team Members: Peter Celinski, Pete Hamblin, Tim Williamson, Rob Wilson
Gosia Sikon, Max Wozniak, George Bulatov, Daniel Luong-Van
Evan Stuart, Henry Bennett, Alexis Green, Denis Lukinov
Ann Thyme-Gobbel, Doug McKenzie, Jan McNair, Matt Walsh,
Sara Bianchetti, Pietro Marano, Mads Crone
Image Credits: All credits are to Loose Cannon Systems, Inc