The best technology is the kind that feels at home.

5G Router

From the initial brief to industrialization, this was a product design and development project led by Everythink in partnership with NOS. The process combined research, ideation, prototyping, and rigorous testing, resulting in an elegant, functional, and technologically advanced device, internationally recognized with the 2019 iF Design Award.

2019 iF Design Award logo.

The challenge: create a device for the long haul, not just a single launch.

The development of the 5G Router for NOS began with a clear ambition: to create a device that embodies the brand's identity while offering a simple, reliable, and contemporary user experience in a highly demanding technological context. Beyond meeting immediate needs, the challenge was to develop a product built for a long lifecycle, capable of supporting technological updates, repairs, and refurbishment without losing quality or relevance.

Everythink managed the project holistically, from the initial brief to industrialization, integrating research, industrial design, engineering, prototyping, and validation into a single development process.

Render of the router at an angle.
Router sketches.
  

Advanced technology with a discreet presence

The project began with an in-depth analysis of the market, connectivity trends, and user behavior, identifying opportunities to differentiate the product not just through technology, but through how it integrates into people's homes. Various conceptual proposals were explored and evaluated based on ergonomics, aesthetics, technical feasibility, and manufacturing efficiency.

The chosen concept stood out for its minimalist and timeless language, moving away from the traditional look of tech hardware. External antennas, visible cooling systems, and other elements typically associated with high-performance routers were replaced by a visually discreet solution designed to convey simplicity, reliability, and quality without compromising performance.

Photograph of some router sketches.Photograph of some router sketches.Photograph of a color scheme.

Design is born from engineering

The product's quality was built far beyond its appearance. Materials, textures, and finishes were carefully selected to withstand intensive use and maintain their aesthetic quality over time. At the same time, the entire internal architecture was developed to facilitate reuse, repair, servicing, and refurbishment, significantly extending the device's lifespan.

The construction architecture was also optimized to ensure industrial flexibility, allowing for production by different suppliers without altering the internal layout, thermal performance, or design integrity. Throughout development, functional prototypes were produced and subjected to tests for ergonomics, mechanical resistance, thermal dissipation, and reliability, ensuring high quality standards before industrialization.

Photograph of an ideation session.

The result was a robust product, prepared for multiple lifecycles and resilient, scalable industrial production.

Render of the front of the router.Render of the back of the router.
Photograph of a detail of the NOS logo on the router.
The best technology is the kind that feels at home, not the kind that imposes itself on it.
Photograph of a meeting with team members and clients.
  

The NOS 5G Router demonstrates how industrial design can transform a piece of technology into a product built to last. By integrating research, design, engineering, and industrialization into a single development process, Everythink created a solution where technology, functionality, and sustainability coexist naturally. The 2019 iF Design Award confirms this approach, distinguishing a product designed not only to meet current needs but to remain relevant over time.