Smart Diaper
IIITDM Kancheepuram
In 2020, amid the global pandemic, Prof. Pandiyarasan Veluswamy from IIITDM Kancheepuram experienced a significant personal milestone: the birth of his son. This joyful event, however, was tinged with the challenges faced in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) where his newborn was being cared for. The NICU environment, characterized by stringent protocols, restricted parental access and left nurses solely responsible for routine diaper changes. The limitations of the NICU’s diaper management system became increasingly evident. The absence of an efficient method to detect wetness meant that nurses had to manually check diapers during scheduled rounds. This process often led to prolonged periods of discomfort for the infants, as diapers could remain wet longer than necessary.
This experience underscored a crucial gap in neonatal care, prompting Prof. Veluswamy and his team to develop the “Smart Diaper.” This innovative product was designed to detect dampness and provide immediate alerts, aiming to enhance both infant comfort and the efficiency of care provided by parents and healthcare professionals. The Smart Diaper was initially conceived with a broad market in mind, targeting hospitals, NICUs, and pharmacies. The team anticipated that their product would address issues such as frequent patient monitoring, infection risks, and simplify diaper management for nurses. The Smart Diaper promised real-time dampness detection, volume and pH data, and streamlined tracking without complicating caregivers’ routines.
Participation in the GDC I-NCUBATE Program proved pivotal for the Smart Diaper team. Through rigorous testing of their initial assumptions, they discovered that the hospital market might not be the optimal entry point. Contrary to their expectations, the demand in these settings was not as high; existing methods for diaper management were deemed sufficient by nurses and staff, and the perceived urgency for a new solution was lower than anticipated.
The turning point came from extensive customer interviews and market research, which revealed a significant need among working parents. These parents faced challenges balancing demanding jobs with timely diaper changes and their baby’s comfort. The Smart Diaper emerged as a valuable solution for this demographic, offering efficient monitoring without the need for constant manual checks.
In response, the team adjusted their strategy to target working parents, particularly those with children aged 0-3 from upper and middle-income segments, who were health-conscious and experienced issues such as diaper rashes. This shift in focus aimed to better address the specific needs of this demographic. The team also plans to explore additional markets, including differently abled children, elderly individuals, and daycare centers.
The GDC I-NCUBATE Program played a crucial role in refining the Smart Diaper team’s approach. Its insights and mentorship enabled them to reassess their market assumptions and pivot towards a more impactful customer base.
