Most smart reminder systems work on the same principle: a sound, a vibration, a push notification on your phone. Loud, immediate, impossible to miss. During the development of Oxionix, we decided early on against this path—not because it doesn't work, but because it brings with it exactly what we want to avoid: a moment that signals something medical is happening here.
Instead, we are working on a gentle light signal. A soft, warm glow on the lid of the box that builds up over several minutes rather than demanding instant attention. Anyone happening to be nearby might not even notice it. Those who know the box know exactly what it means—and can react at their own pace without an alarm filling the room.
This sounds simpler than it was to develop. A light that is reliable enough not to be overlooked, but subtle enough not to disturb anyone—that is a narrow path to walk. We tested several brightness levels and time progressions, with different light temperatures, at different times of day. Some variants got lost in everyday life, while others were too prominent and felt like exactly the loud signal we wanted to avoid.
Where we currently stand: For now, we have opted for a warm, slowly intensifying light that adjusts its brightness and speed to the time of day. Whether this is the final solution will only become clear once more people have tested the box in their real-life routines—and that is exactly what we are most looking forward to.
For us, this small design decision embodies a larger concept: technology intended to accompany us in our daily lives does not need to draw attention to itself to function. Sometimes the quietest signal is the one that is best received.
