3D Design of GPS Device for Alzheimer’s and Children: Maedcore × Calmtag

Executive summary: Maedcore collaborated with Calmtag, a Spanish portable safety device startup, to design through advanced 3D modelling an innovative geolocation device for people with Alzheimer’s, cognitive disabilities and children. The process covered everything from initial sketches to final photorealistic renders, prioritising ergonomics, modern aesthetics and versatility of use — as a keyring, in a backpack or clipped to clothing. The result: a product that balances safety technology with empathetic, user-centred design.

The Problem: Millions of Families Live with the Fear of Disorientation

Over 55 million people worldwide live with dementia, and Alzheimer’s accounts for 60–70% of cases. For their families, the greatest fear is that their loved one will leave home and become disoriented without anyone being able to locate them. Young children or those with cognitive disabilities face a similar vulnerability.

Existing GPS devices on the market solve the technical problem but fail on adoption: they are bulky, have a medical or “tracker” appearance, and generate rejection in the user or their social environment.

Calmtag identified this gap and sought a design partner to turn safety geolocation into a product people actually want to wear.

The Protagonists: Calmtag and Maedcore

Calmtag is a Spanish startup specialising in portable safety devices that integrate discreetly into everyday clothing and accessories. Its mission is to provide continuous safety without stigmatisation.

Maedcore contributed its expertise in industrial design through 3D modelling, product engineering and photorealistic rendering to transform Calmtag’s concept into a production-ready product.

The Design Process: From Concept to Final Render

Phase 1 — Alignment and Design Philosophy

The process began with co-design sessions to define the guiding principles of the product:

Simplicity — intuitive for both the wearer and their family.
Portability — lightweight, adaptable to multiple modes of use.
Non-medical aesthetic — modern, attractive appearance with no connotation of a monitoring device.
Sustainable design — responsible materials and manufacturing processes.

Phase 2 — Sketches and Form Exploration

Maedcore’s design team developed several concepts exploring variations in:

Curvature of the central body (organic vs. angular).
Relationship between straight and curved edges.
Extruded details for brand identity.
Positioning of the Calmtag logo.

Through multiple iterations, the digital prototypes were refined until the balance between form and function was achieved. Each version was evaluated from three perspectives: wearer usability, social acceptance and manufacturing viability.

Phase 4 — Photorealistic Renders and Usage Context

The final designs were presented through photorealistic renders in two representative usage scenarios:

Attached to a backpack: simulation of integration into the most universal accessory for children and adults, showing how the device does not alter the overall aesthetic.

Attached to clothing: demonstration of direct integration with garments, highlighting the device’s discretion and its non-interference with everyday activities.

Features of the Final Device

The device designed by Maedcore for Calmtag integrates the following capabilities:

Real-time GPS geolocation — family members can track the wearer from a mobile app at any time.
Safe zone alerts (geofencing) — automatic notifications when the wearer leaves a predefined area.
Multi-use design — keyring, backpack clip, clothing or bag attachment.
Non-medical technological aesthetic — social acceptance for any age group.
Discreet integration — does not alter the appearance of clothing or accessories.

The Impact: Technology That Connects Families

The Maedcore–Calmtag collaboration demonstrates that thoughtful design can be the difference between a device that gets used and one that ends up in a drawer. Safety should not require its wearers to sacrifice their dignity or aesthetics.

When empathy guides the design process, technology stops being a reminder of vulnerability and becomes an enabler of autonomy.

Technologies Used

Project developed with: 3D Modelling — Product Engineering — Photorealistic Rendering — Industrial Design

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