Chiller

Product innovation. Engineering. IoT connectivity. Smart thermodynamics

Challenge

Traditional cold therapy chillers weren’t designed for the human experience. They are clunky, inefficient, and relied on outdated air-conditioning components, leading to poor performance and high energy cost.

Ask

Redefine what a cold therapy chiller should be—building something efficient, intuitive, and designed entirely around the user.

Customer

We didn’t just build a better chiller—we immersed ourselves in the customer’s world. Through deep interviews and hands-on research, we listened, observed, and sought to understand not just what they wanted, but what they truly needed. Compassion was our starting point, allowing us to feel their frustrations and see their challenges firsthand.

  • Designed with the wrong cooling technology, existing systems were prone to breakdowns. Users dealt with unreliable compressors, frequent leaks, and costly repairs, turning what should be a seamless recovery tool into a frustrating maintenance headache.

  • Traditional chillers were nothing more than industrial cooling units repurposed for cold therapy. There were no smart controls, no scheduling, and no adaptive cooling—forcing users to constantly monitor and adjust settings manually.

  • Customers had no way to monitor performance, diagnose issues, or optimize their experience. Without real-time feedback or predictive maintenance, users were left guessing if their chiller was running efficiently—or if it would even work when they needed it most.

  • Many traditional chillers were loud and disruptive, making it difficult to use them in home environments or shared spaces. Users wanted a system that worked silently in the background rather than calling attention to itself.

  • Existing chillers often ran inefficiently, using excessive energy to maintain cold temperatures. This led to high operating costs and concerns about sustainability.

Innovation

What if

We imagined a future beyond what the customer thought possible—a chiller that didn’t just solve problems but redefined what cold therapy could be. These questions guided our innovation, pushing us to build something truly groundbreaking.

Design

To build something beyond what customers thought was possible, we brought together a world-class team of engineers, designers, and developers spanning refrigeration, electronics, cloud architecture, and software. Every element—cooling performance, energy efficiency, and user interaction—was reimagined with precision. By aligning expertise across disciplines, we created a seamless fusion of technology and design—an experience as intuitive as it is powerful.

SmartSense®

  • Instead of the traditional always-on model used by other chillers, we designed SmartSense to think ahead. It intuitively shifts between Cooling Mode and SmartSense Mode, adapting in real time to user schedules and environmental conditions. This allows the Chiller to maintain optimal readiness while dramatically reducing energy waste—bringing intelligent efficiency to cold therapy, much like how modern smart thermostats revolutionized home climate control.

  • We designed SmartSense to seamlessly connect and manage every system component, allowing the Chiller to function as a unified, intelligent ecosystem rather than just a collection of parts.

Time to Temperature Engine

  • We equipped the system with an array of sensors to capture real-time ambient and water temperature data. Custom-built algorithms process this information, determining the optimal time to start cooling so water reaches the perfect temperature exactly when scheduled.

  • By continuously analyzing environmental conditions and user habits, the engine dynamically adjusts cooling cycles, reducing unnecessary energy consumption while maintaining peak efficiency.

App Control

  • We designed an elegant, minimal UI with a human-first approach, refining it to the bare essentials for seamless control. Beyond temperature adjustments, users can manage multiple chillers, enable multi-user access, and set advanced scheduling—all within an intuitive, streamlined interface.

  • We built an intelligent alert system that proactively notifies users about temperature status, maintenance needs, and system health, ensuring the the user has relevant information when they need it.

Eco-Friendly R290 Refrigerant

  • Rather than using outdated refrigerants designed for air conditioning, we selected R290 for its superior thermodynamic properties, allowing us to cool faster while using up to 50% less energy.

  • We built the entire refrigeration system around R290, ensuring long-term compliance with evolving environmental regulations while significantly reducing the Chiller’s carbon footprint

UI Design

  • We designed a 1000-nit ultra-bright display, ensuring clear readability in any environment, from dim indoor spaces to bright outdoor settings.

  • To create a frictionless user experience, we paired the display with an intuitive precision control wheel, simplifying adjustments and making interaction effortless. Every element of the navigation was carefully structured to eliminate complexity—keeping only the essential tools users need, exactly where they expect them.

IP67-Rated Components

  • To withstand moisture, dust, and unpredictable environments, we sealed all critical electronics with IP67-rated waterproofing, ensuring complete protection in wet conditions.

  • We designed the system with corrosion-resistant materials and industrial-grade sealing techniques, preventing premature wear and ensuring years of reliable performance.

Build

We used small-batch prototyping to refine components, optimize thermodynamics, and validate manufacturability. This process also enhanced UI/UX, algorithm logic, and predictive formulas. As we scaled, we built a streamlined manufacturing line with specialized sub-assembly stations, continuously improving systems by empowering our team to identify and resolve inefficiencies.

Results

Every step—from ideation to production—was driven by a single goal: creating a chiller that works effortlessly when the customer needs it. Designed specifically for cold therapy, it delivers rapid cooling, energy efficiency, and durability. Smart automation removes the guesswork, and precision manufacturing ensures reliability in real-world conditions. But the real impact is how it transforms the user experience.

User Experience

Our customers tell us the Ice Barrel Chiller has seamlessly become part of their routine. They love how it just works—no ice, no hassle, just perfectly chilled water whenever they need it.

They’ve shared how intuitive scheduling, SmartSense automation, and seamless app integration have made cold therapy effortless. The chiller learns their preferences, adapts to their environment, and optimizes energy use automatically. From easy setup to real-time notifications, every detail is designed to remove the guesswork and enhance their experience.

Chiller

Product innovation. Engineering. IoT connectivity. Smart thermodynamics