Panadol Pain Phone

The Pain Phone telemedicine booth is a way for remote villagers to get access to healthcare professionals and send key health metrics via an array of sensors.

Determining which sensors to use and how they transmit their data was quite a challenge. However, once that was resolved, we had to work out how to design the booth in a way that was achievable in the short time we had available. The model makers at DCA were a great help in determining fabrication methods and the build ended up being a composite of MDF, Plywood and SLS 3D prints. They finished the Pain Phone whilst I was on holiday, so the first time I saw it was actually out in Indonesia itself!

Initially, the Pain Phone was sent to a factory in Jakarta. I initially thought it was being sent to a workshop and that I would have access to tools. However, in reality, all that was available was one screw driver and a hammer. Luckily, I had my trusty Victorinox swiss army knife to get me going until I could source some proper tools. The Indonesian guys helping out, drove me around the local tool and fastener shops until I had what I needed.

Once complete, it was transported by van through the jungle to the filming location. In total, there were two days of filming with a crew of 80 people. Even I awkwardly got filmed talking about the design.

The experience of going out to Indonesia and working with the local people was unforgettable. To make the experience even better, we were awarded a Red Dot, IF and Good Design award.