I had an idea for VASSR, but transforming it into reality presented an immediate challenge: I'm not an engineer. The intricacies of mechanical, electrical, and industrial design were as foreign to me as ancient cartography. Success would require finding the right partner to build it. In my day-to-day work developing genetic therapies, I frequently collaborate with specialized companies that provide integrated solutions for complex technologies. When you have an idea for a gene therapy, there are firms that offer complete workflows to design, test, and iterate until you create the vector that achieves your vision. I reasoned that the same approach could work for consumer electronics.
A Google search revealed numerous consumer electronic product design companies. While I'm comfortable with virtual collaboration, experience has taught me the value of face-to-face interaction for critical decisions. This led me to focus my search on Seattle-based firms. After evaluating several capable candidates, I ultimately chose Facture Design. Their enthusiasm for the VASSR concept was evident, and many team members were outdoor enthusiasts themselves. Their SODO location, just ten minutes from my home, was ideal for the occasional visit. While engaging a product design firm isn't the most economical path, it provided immediate access to a comprehensive team of engineers and design experts. Moreover, their founder had entrepreneurial experience and offered valuable guidance beyond R&D. The decision was clear: either partner with experts or abandon the project. Without the time or expertise to build it myself, I embraced my philosophy of doing things once and doing them well. With the paperwork complete, we were ready to begin.
The first step on our journey was a project kickoff meeting in late July 2023. Facture assembled an impressive team for the project - mechanical engineer Scott Healy would tackle the core technical challenges, while industrial designer Carter Heikkila would ensure VASSR would be both beautiful and functional. The project would be guided by Adam McRae and Mike Doud's program management expertise, with founder Justin Knowles providing strategic oversight.
We structured the development into two distinct phases. Phase 1A would focus on creating a proof-of-concept prototype to validate our core technical approach. This meant extensive research into different snow-melting methods, considering variables like power consumption, heating element configuration, and thermal efficiency. We needed to understand how different snow densities and ambient temperatures would affect melting times, and how to optimize the power-to-volume ratio for practical use in the backcountry.
A key early decision was to focus solely on the snow-melting functionality for our initial prototype, deliberately excluding the UV-C LED purification system. While water purification remains a crucial feature for the final product, we needed to first validate our core hypothesis: could we create an efficient, battery-powered snow-melting system in a portable form factor? This would drive the fundamental architecture of the product and inform decisions about battery capacity, thermal management, and overall feasibility.
Phase 1B would tackle the industrial design challenges. This wasn't just about aesthetics - it was about creating a product that would work seamlessly in demanding winter conditions. Every aspect of the user experience needed careful consideration: How would someone wearing thick gloves interact with the controls? What's the optimal vessel mouth diameter for loading snow efficiently? How could we ensure the bottle would slide easily in and out of a packed backpack?
Before diving into technical development, we needed to better understand our users. While my personal experience as a backcountry skier and mountaineer provided valuable insights, VASSR needed to serve the broader winter sports community - from snowshoers and snowmobilers to ice climbers and winter hikers. Each activity presents unique challenges and requirements. We planned to conduct market research to validate our assumptions about user needs and preferences, ensuring VASSR would truly enhance the winter experience across different activities and skill levels.
One of our first major decisions was whether to create a standalone bottle or an accessory system. The standalone path offered complete creative freedom. We could control every aspect of the user experience, from the insulation properties to the visual aesthetic. We wouldn't be constrained by having to adapt to existing bottle designs, and users wouldn't need to purchase or carry additional equipment. The downside? Higher manufacturing complexity and more challenging development process.
The accessory route had its own appeal - potentially lower manufacturing costs and a simpler development process. But it came with significant compromises. We'd be limited in our design options, dependent on other manufacturers' bottles, and risk creating something that could be easily lost or damaged. Most importantly, we'd be sacrificing the opportunity to create a truly integrated solution for winter hydration.
After careful consideration, we chose to pursue the standalone bottle design. Yes, it would be more challenging, but it aligned perfectly with my philosophy: do it once and do it well. We wanted to create something that would fundamentally change how people stay hydrated in winter conditions, not just an add-on to existing solutions.
With that decision made, we established our core requirements. VASSR needed to melt snow and purify the resulting water quickly and efficiently. It should be comparable in size to a one-liter Nalgene, as light as possible, and well-insulated. We wanted a rechargeable battery system, a wide mouth for easy snow loading, and glove-friendly design. The bottle needed to be durable enough for rough outdoor use, yet sophisticated enough to potentially include additional features like integrated lighting or charging capabilities.
As the kickoff meeting wrapped up, we outlined our next steps: comprehensive product research, development of a solutions matrix for different melting methods, and initial form factor sketches. The engineering team would begin bench testing various heating configurations while the industrial design team started exploring user interaction scenarios.
I left the meeting feeling both excited and sobered by the complexity ahead. We had a clear direction, a talented team, and a shared vision for what VASSR could become. The next phase would involve diving deep into the technical challenges of efficiently converting snow to water using battery power - a story I'll share in the next post. Stay tuned, and don't forget to drink your snow!
