All work 03 / 12 Concept / Safety — 2019

C-THRU

A firefighter respirator mask concept for Polycom that combines a voice amplifier, an in-screen display, an LED light and GPS-linked team alerts.

Role: Industrial Designer
Timeline: 2019
Context: Ohio State class project · concept for Polycom
Tools: Hand sketching
Discipline: Safety equipment
Outcome: Concept — sketches and render

Overview

Firefighters check on each other with accountability checks over handheld radios, but while rescuing someone or moving obstacles a firefighter can’t always answer clearly.

I explored how Polycom could enter firefighting with a respirator mask built on its wireless communication technology — safe, functional, and durable. C-THRU combines a voice amplifier, an in-screen holographic display for vitals and building navigation, an LED light, and GPS-linked alerts that guide teammates to an injured firefighter.

Problem: During PAR checks over handheld radios, a firefighter who is rescuing someone or moving obstacles can’t always answer clearly.
Process: Product opportunity and requirements → ideation sketches → feature and valve placement → final sketch and render → user scenario.
Outcome: A mask concept combining a voice amplifier, an in-screen display, an LED light and GPS-linked team alerts.

Problem and opportunity

Firefighters’ status is checked through PAR (Personnel Accountability Report) checks over handheld radios. The brief: explore whether Polycom could enter the firefighting industry with a mask that improves communication between firefighters.

**Fig. 01**The problem — PAR checks over handheld radios

**Fig. 02**Product opportunity — Polycom

**Fig. 03**Product requirements — safe, functional, durable

Ideation

Sketches exploring straps, feature placement, overall form and visibility, then where the inhalation valve and radio components could sit.

**Fig. 05**Ideation — overall form and visibility

**Fig. 06**Design features — side, back and front valve placement (side chosen)

User scenario

Alert, navigate, assist: the mask alerts nearby teammates, GPS data maps a route to the fallen member, and the rescuer replaces the inhalation valve to provide clean oxygen.

**Fig. 07**User timeline — alert, navigate, assist

Final design

The inhalation valve connects to the air tube, a voice amplifier carries the firefighter’s voice, and an in-screen display shows vitals and a 3D route through the building.

**Fig. 09**How it works — inhalation valve and voice amplifier

**Fig. 10**Virtual display — vitals and 3D building navigation

**Fig. 11**Color options — voice amplifier, in-screen display and LED light in one unit

**Fig. 12**C-THRU — firefighter communication mask

**Fig. 13**C-THRU — final render with LED light

Outcome

A class-project concept for Polycom, carried from problem framing to a final sketch, render and user scenario.