Hushbrush
Manufacturing a sensory brush that supports early development and child wellbeing
Creating a feasible prototype for the children’s product market
The arrival of a child into a household – whether through birth, adoption or fostering – can be overwhelming, and it can be difficult to find the crucial one-to-one time required to form strong emotional bonds.
Hushbrush Ltd has developed a sensory brush that supports early development and child wellbeing by encouraging communication and bonding between children and their caregivers. The product creates a mechanism for both introducing play into bonding and easing child anxiety. To meet the manufacturing and safety requirements of the highly regulated industry for products aimed at children, Hushbrush partnered with CPI to create and demonstrate a fully-functioning prototype.
![](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/child-light-sensory.jpg?w=1920&h=1080&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1605004559&s=208fce446e1e4a37c755a0176511b948 1920w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/child-light-sensory.jpg?w=1120&h=630&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1605004559&s=8aa3152fb1ce7d5489ec33fb3c6bcfb2 1120w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/child-light-sensory.jpg?w=2240&h=1260&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1605004559&s=d2d8402fbd6333e5e4f7c9160068179e 2240w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/child-light-sensory.jpg?w=800&h=450&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1605004559&s=264e04aad8f487035334292814605006 800w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/child-light-sensory.jpg?w=1600&h=900&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1605004559&s=de4ae31a382952305e8ad8404553f2b4 1600w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/child-light-sensory.jpg?w=480&h=270&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1605004559&s=c0d6399d0b636dd5bb062b40976dbaa2 480w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/child-light-sensory.jpg?w=960&h=540&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1605004559&s=f7d2120aeaef758b7aa063615c064aed 960w)
“ CPI have provided us with the opportunity to explore and identify the best materials for our product. Without the team’s expert input, it is very unlikely that we would be in our current position of being able to move forward to the next phase of bringing our vision for a safe, quality and beautiful product into reality. ”
Achievements
Inputs
- Technical knowledge and expertise
- Access to state-of-the-art facilities and equipment
- 3D printing facilities
Outputs
- Performed feasibility study for suitable materials and a production route
- Provided access to funding and CPI’s stakeholder network
- Produced an initial unoptimised prototype
Outcomes
- Progressed the technology readiness of the Hushbrush product from concept to initial pilot-scale
- Enabled production of full prototypes for market testing
![](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/formulation-lab-robot.jpg?w=1920&h=1080&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1574174750&s=4c0b306149430bc05ad4f44c9bc4d931 1920w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/formulation-lab-robot.jpg?w=1120&h=630&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1574174750&s=90b23790e7c326258889acc040a4c645 1120w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/formulation-lab-robot.jpg?w=800&h=450&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1574174750&s=ba63aad2143e6d8d23fed3bc15aa5f4c 800w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/formulation-lab-robot.jpg?w=1600&h=900&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1574174750&s=fd39da95e72b4db4c4cd02acb6cc223b 1600w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/formulation-lab-robot.jpg?w=480&h=270&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1574174750&s=a7e83764288d23f48c340ca35415fa8f 480w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/formulation-lab-robot.jpg?w=960&h=540&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1574174750&s=90a6a5a4aa456a0fb50843a320f48821 960w)
The challenge
Since its inception, Hushbrush has aimed to broaden the use of its product from the current market of children that have sensory processing issues, and into the general market for children’s products. However, to succeed in this highly regulated market, Hushbrush needed to identify cost-effective materials and manufacturing processes that also produce high-quality and safe products. Without specialist knowledge in materials and manufacturing, how could Hushbrush develop its concept into a fully functioning product?
How CPI helped
After learning about CPI through a local business advisory meeting, the founders got in touch and organised a meeting.
CPI used its technical expertise in manufacturing to perform a literature study on the available material and manufacturing options available for Hushbrush, according to the company’s requirements. CPI presented this as a report, determining silicon as the most viable material for the product, as well as resin casting as the most cost-efficient and high-quality manufacturing process.
Over a 10-week period, CPI provided Hushbrush with access to its stakeholder network, and helped apply for and secure funding for their pilot-scale prototype research. By providing access to its state-of-the-art 3D printing facilities, CPI helped to produce an initial 3D-printed Hushbrush mould. This mould has led to the production of a functioning silicon prototype, which will be demonstrated to the public and further optimised through market research.
Once a final prototype is developed, Hushbrush aims to collaborate with CPI further to scale up its manufacturing processes, establish further industry connections and translate its innovative product to the market. Another area of focus for the future collaboration is to source and incorporate sustainable dyes and fragrances for use in manufacturing.
Related
Technologies
Markets
![](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/mother-cuddling-child.jpg?w=1920&h=1080&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1605004907&s=08c8e3b99015a23a6a855a626e1d11ab 1920w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/mother-cuddling-child.jpg?w=1120&h=630&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1605004907&s=2566b6f10136658d3dac2879eeea359d 1120w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/mother-cuddling-child.jpg?w=2240&h=1260&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1605004907&s=b8e82dc490d52f842b13e29f0583ff51 2240w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/mother-cuddling-child.jpg?w=800&h=450&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1605004907&s=8dfdcf70ba9e5babbd19113afcb98e03 800w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/mother-cuddling-child.jpg?w=1600&h=900&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1605004907&s=9078d647555679de5d83233e07596d29 1600w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/mother-cuddling-child.jpg?w=480&h=270&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1605004907&s=aebc955517cec11b34c53e78bb99d9b2 480w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/mother-cuddling-child.jpg?w=960&h=540&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1605004907&s=d68290588f9df43aa66407309498d70b 960w)