Nest Detect

The Nest Secure alarm system includes Nest Guard, Nest Detect, Nest Tag, and the Nest app. Nest Detect was an advanced sensor product to inform users what’s happening in their home, without relying on an intrusive camera system. Its sensors detect when doors/windows open and close, or when someone walks by — and informs a user on their phone + sounds the alarm on the Nest Guard.

I was responsible for the execution of the mechanical system on the Nest Detect: to meet functional, reliability, and cosmetic targets — and ensure key user journeys and interactions worked as intended for the lifetime of the product.

Features I worked on include:

• Battery contacts: mechanical design and validation to ensure battery life meets expectations

• Airflow: create a new gasket part to improve presence detection accuracy, in tight space. Maintain similar functionality of button feeling and light-ring, which were in close proximity.

• Presence sensing characterization: analyze the effect of mechanical tolerance stackups, on presence sensing accuracy of the PIR sensor.

• Cosmetics: Working with suppliers and industrial design to align on surface finish requirements, and dimension specs to control critical user-facing steps and gaps

• Ambient light sensor, temp/hum sensor, button feeling, light ring and light leakage control, and more!