Otter: Portable Newborn Warmer for Unreliable Power Environments
A resilient medical device designed to prevent neonatal hypothermia in resource-limited clinical settings.
1Addressing Neonatal Hypothermia Risks
Otter is a portable newborn warmer developed by Design that Matters and MTTS to combat neonatal hypothermia in hospitals with unstable electricity. The device specifically targets premature and low-birthweight infants who struggle to regulate body heat. It serves as a vital supplemental warming solution during necessary separations from Kangaroo Mother Care.
2Innovative Bassinet Design Strategy
The device replaces traditional removable warming mattresses with an integrated, heat-conducting polycarbonate bassinet. This seamless, continuous surface eliminates fabric and seams, significantly simplifying infection prevention protocols. By removing the need for mattresses, the design prevents direct contact with heating elements and eliminates risks associated with incorrect positioning or mattress punctures.
3Resilience in Low-Resource Settings
Engineered for durability, the heating element and sensors are housed in a water-resistant casing beneath the bassinet. This construction protects internal components from rough handling and reduces the need for frequent maintenance or replacement parts. The design minimizes reliance on consumables, which are often difficult to source in rural hospital environments.
4Power Reliability and Portability
Weighing only 3.6 kilograms, the unit supports seamless patient transfers between clinical departments without interrupting thermal regulation. An integrated battery automatically activates during power outages, providing over two hours of backup at 15°C ambient temperatures. This ensures continuous operation despite the frequent power interruptions common in the targeted rural medical facilities.
5Intuitive Clinical User Interface
The device features an intuitive touchscreen interface that displays real-time temperature, heating status, and remaining battery life. Alarms provide immediate alerts regarding sensor, heating, or power supply issues. This interface is designed to be accessible to staff without requiring extensive technical training, ensuring reliable operation in busy, under-resourced neonatal units.
6Field Research and Implementation
The product design is the result of eight years of field research, expert interviews, and product reviews across Africa and Southeast Asia. Since May 2025, five units have been undergoing an implementation study at Kapiri District Hospital in Zambia. The study evaluates performance, staff acceptance, and integration into existing neonatal care protocols.
7Performance Under Real-World Constraints
The ongoing study in Zambia tests the device against documented power interruptions lasting between seven and eleven hours. Researchers have successfully utilized the Otter for low-birthweight newborns, including infants as small as 840 grams. The trial specifically monitors the device's effectiveness during inter-building transfers where stable power is typically unavailable.
8Recognition and Design Impact
The Otter newborn warmer was awarded the 2026 Seoul Design Award Grand Prize for its practical approach to medical device engineering. By prioritizing structural simplicity and operational reliability, the project offers a scalable model for neonatal care. Its success highlights the importance of designing medical technology specifically for the realities of infrastructure.