A prototype is a preliminary model of something. Projects that offer physical products need to show backers documentation of a working prototype. This gallery features photos, videos, and other visual documentation that will give backers a sense of what’s been accomplished so far and what’s left to do. Though the development process can vary for each project, these are the stages we typically see:
Proof of Concept
Explorations that test ideas and functionality.
Functional Prototype
Demonstrates the functionality of the final product, but looks different.
Appearance Prototype
Looks like the final product, but is not functional.
Design Prototype
Appearance and function match the final product, but is made with different manufacturing methods.
Production Prototype
Appearance, function, and manufacturing methods match the final product.
Prototype Gallery
These photos and videos provide a detailed look at this project’s development.
NEMO is the perfect way for snorkelers to take their adventures beyond the surface. It's an incredibly compact Surface-Supplied Air dive system that supports one diver to ten feet.
Whether you're an ocean explorer, poolside parent, treasure hunter, underwater photographer, boat owner, kayaker/paddleboarder, or in search of the latest yacht toy – NEMO is for you.
Your new travel companion. NEMO’s size makes it the perfect travel buddy for your next vacation.
Only 10 pounds!
Easily fits into your duffle bag (or our NEMO backpack)
While diving NEMO in a pool, all you need is the built-in flotation foam. Our high visibility flotation tube and dive flag should always be used in lakes, oceans and rivers – safety first!
This feature-rich backpack was designed specifically to carry NEMO wherever the call of the water beckons. These stylish packs are made out of textilene – a sturdy and resilient material that looks great too. Intelligently-designed straps and pockets all around the bag keep your NEMO neat and tidy.
The rollout mat provides a barrier between your equipment and the sand/surface. There's a convenient spot for your fins on the outside of the bag, plus plenty of space inside for your mask, GoPro, phone, reusable water bottle, or anything else. This bag is everything we want and more. Add $50 to your pledge to get this awesome backpack!
Inside of NEMO is a custom battery-powered air compressor. The compressor pumps air to the diver through the 10-foot hose and out through our patent-pending Smart Reg™.
Our Smart Reg™ saves battery life by monitoring breathing patterns to let the compressor know exactly when it needs to send air. This means NEMO doesn't just push air to you, but rather breathes with you.
The Smart Reg™
What allows NEMO to be so compact, energy-efficient, and responsive is our patent-pending Smart Reg™ - the first of its kind!
Here’s how it works: A silicone diaphragm inside the Smart Reg™ moves when the diver breathes. A waterproofed sensor measures the diaphragm movement – it then sends an electronic signal which triggers the compressor to pump air at exactly the time and speed that the diver is inhaling.
NEMO pumps only the exact pressure, volume, and flow rate that the diver needs at their particular depth which means it uses just 1/10 the energy of any other underwater breathing system. That's why we can use smaller pumps, motors, and batteries - bringing you the most portable and affordable underwater breathing system ever!
The Compressor
We’re not just using some off-the-shelf compressor and sticking it in a box. NEMO’s compressor is an entirely custom design. We’ve built it specifically to ensure clean breathing air is supplied as efficiently and in as compact of a package as possible.
Our engineers like to call the compressor an "oil-less linear two-cylinder brushless DC diaphragm pump.” We like to call it innovative.
The Battery Pack
NEMO is powered by a custom lithium-ion battery pack that is swappable and rechargeable. The pack and connector are IP68-rated to handle saltwater environments. It's under 100 Wh, so there are no issues with air travel! A charge-level indicator is located right on the battery itself so that you always know your battery level.
Be sure to grab a few extra packs so that you can dive all day long!
The Flotation Foam
NEMO’s flotation foam is made of cross-linked polyethylene and is shaped with a computer numerical control cutting machine. The foam is designed to give NEMO inherent buoyancy while keeping the main compressor unit in the water for cooling purposes.
The Flotation Tube
Designed to give NEMO extra stability and visibility in open-water settings such as the ocean, the flotation tube provides an additional 22 pounds of buoyancy and is brightly colored so that family, friends, and by-passers can easily spot your location while you’re diving. The tube inflates with only two breaths and similarly deflates with ease.
Not diving in an open-water setting like an ocean or lake? NEMO will float just fine without the flotation tube!
The Air Hose
NEMO’s 10-foot air hose is the perfect balance of weight, flexibility, and durability. The coils prevent the hose from kinking and make it super easy to handle. The buoyancy of the hose allows excess to float on the surface so that it stays clear of you, the marine environment, and other divers underwater.
Definitely.But we need your support! By backing our Kickstarter campaign, you’ll be helping us move into mass production so that we can begin delivering units by our estimated delivery dates.
BLU3 is a startup brand working with the support of Brownie's Marine Group (BMG). BMG has supported the development of NEMO up to this point, helping us develop our business strategy, products and the support to launch this campaign. Our $40,000 goal is the final push we need to get NEMO across the finish line. This campaign, in conjunction with the industrial and financial support of BMG, means we'll be able to bring NEMO to market by the end of the year!
Our systems make diving really simple. Our mission is to get as many people as we can to fall in love with the water. Why? Because the more people who love our waters, the more people who will help protect it.
Our BLU3 divers can contribute to the Project Baseline database using cameras and dive computers. Right now, the sign up process is a little complicated (we’re working on it) but the data you provide is invaluable – you’ll seriously be making a difference.
The goal is to prevent “Environmental Amnesia” – a term used to describe the unnoticed decline of ocean health over decades. We have to keep track of what is happening in order to stop it from happening.
Training
Each NEMO will include a comprehensive training program that covers safety and best practices of both snorkeling and scuba diving. These lessons will also be available on our website to be reviewed at any time.
Know when your battery is low
NEMO features a low-battery alarm located in the Smart Reg™ which can be heard below the water to alert you when it’s time to make a safe ascent back to the surface.
The Buddy System
An important rule to diving of any kind is to never dive alone. So convince a buddy or a group of friends to go in on one of our 2 or 6-unit rewards and dive BLU3 together!
From day one, we have designed NEMO with mass manufacturing in mind. However, anytime that a product evolves from the development phase to the production phase, there are risks of setbacks. Our engineering team has and will continue to work extremely hard to mitigate any potential manufacturing hurdles. We promise to keep you updated on a monthly basis so that you can follow along on this journey.
