DISCIPLINE:
INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
CLIENT:
STEM
TIME:
13 WEEKS
EXPERIENCE:
DESIGN PROCESS
STEMtrail
about.
STEMtrail turns off-grid power into something personal.
Designed with STEM, the wrist-worn concept expands the PowerCell ecosystem; merging energy, emotion, and exploration. It guides users through light, motion, and reflection, keeping them connected to their bodies and their journey.
challenge.
The project asked how energy storage could move beyond simply charging devices to create a deeper connection with nature, the body, and decision-making when offline.
Framed around the idea, “If energy were water, and the PowerCell a bottle, what would it mean to carry energy with us, mentally and physically?” the challenge explored how design can turn power into presence.
Key insights shaped the direction: battery anxiety in remote environments, the absence of biofeedback for reflection outdoors, over-reliance on screens, and the need for tactile, modular, and sustainable tools for exploration.
The aim was to create a wearable interface that feels intuitive, promotes calm, and stays in rhythm with the natural world.
result.
The final concept is a wearable that merges emotional awareness with off-grid functionality. Designed for nature immersion, it features three LED rings that visualise heart rate, ambient time, and directional guidance. Subtle biofeedback cues help users reflect and reconnect, supported by low-power GPS for safe, sustainable exploration.
The device runs three intuitive modes [Wayfinder, Heart Rate, and Ambient Clock] each focused on simplicity and calm interaction.
Built with compact electronics including an ESP32 microcontroller, GPS, and heart-rate sensor, the wearable combines a hemp bioplastic casing with a Dragon Skin® silicone cover for comfort and light diffusion. Developed through CAD, silicone moulding, and resin printing, the process centred on modularity, material responsibility, and user feedback.
The result is a design that balances technology and emotion, guiding users to feel grounded even when off the grid.
