An Industrial Design Success Story: Kenma's Low-tech Wearable Reverses A Film Company's Fortunes

Cosmotec is a Tokyo-based company that used to make coated films for monitors and televisions. The company's business took a hit after the '08 crash, and they sought to diversify into the B2C space. They reached out to Japanese design firm and product development company Kenma, asking for product ideas for their film-producing acumen.

At a hospital, one of Kenma's designers observed a nurse so busy that she was taking notes directly on her hand. From this observation, Kenma's design team developed a simple idea: An extra-wide slap bracelet, coated with one of Cosmotec's films, that could be used as a sort of on-body whiteboard.

The WeMo (a portmanteau of "wearable memo") was born. Cosmotec's film allows the WeMo to be written on with any oil-based ballpoint pen (as opposed to water- or gel-based), and the notes are waterproof; this was crucial, as nurses often wash their hands and the goal was to preserve their jottings. But the film does allow the writings to be erased using a standard eraser, or even one's fingers with concerted pressure.

Though initially aimed at nurses and healthcare workers, the product soon spread to others who needed to take quick reference notes without having to reach for a pad. Because the notes are waterproof, the WeMo proved attractive to those working in wet, dirty or outdoor conditions: Construction workers, maintenance staff, automotive technicians, farmers, fishery workers, first responders. It then gained popularity among those with ADHD, providing a handy low-tech wearable for reminders.

The WeMo brand also makes a dedicated pen that clips right to the bracelet.

To address their growing market Cosmotec started making the WeMo Pro, a thicker, longer version that fits over bulky workwear.

Cosmotec sold 100,000 units during their launch year of 2017. Six years later, they'd hit a million units sold.