Be one step
ahead.
Industrial Design · Prototyping · Engineering — Biel/Bienne, Switzerland

EthicDesignStudio designs and builds functional prototypes for real-world challenges — field-tested, user-focused and engineered to last.

View projects

Our Projects

Functional prototypes — field-tested, engineered for real conditions

2006
Lesto

Lead weight system for freediving. Functional prototype built and tested at sea.

Completed
2012 — ongoing
Moskito

Self-supporting, foldable mosquito net system — protection against malaria, dengue and other insect-borne diseases. Functional prototype in use since 2012.

In use since 2012
2006 — 2025
Ice Climbing Axe

Phase 1 (2006): Functional prototype, real-field and lab-tested in the Swiss Alps — EU standard compliance within reach. Phase 2 (2024–2025): Functional prototype in testing phase, targeting reduced weight and production costs.

Phase 2 testing
2011
Dobear

Headphone display stand, manufactured for Sacom audio retail — Berne.

Completed
2014
Victool

Pocket knife accessory for Victorinox. Functional prototype designed and built.

Prototype
2017 — ongoing
JA Telemark

Telemark ski binding system. 3 functional prototypes built and field-tested.

In development
June 2023
Monowheel Bike Trailer

Single-wheel bicycle trailer with suspension system. Functional prototype tested by end user. Foldable — fits in airline luggage.

Under NDA
July 2025
Raw Water Intake System

Pre-filtration system reducing raw water impurities before pumping — extends pump component lifespan significantly.

Functional
2026
Aquatest 42

Portable water quality testing system for field contamination analysis. 3D-printed functional prototype. App coming soon to the App Store.

App in development
Proto11
Brackish water treatment machine — 2023–2026 · Operational since June 2025

11 years of field experience distilled into one machine. Addresses every limitation of existing solutions.

45–60% water yield
Industry standard is 20–39%. No chemical additives required.
20,000h pump lifespan
Up from 7,000h. No solenoid valves — higher long-term reliability.
4–5 stage filtration
Removes bacteria, viruses, pesticides and heavy metals.
Zero-crash automation
Memory-safe software. Real-time SMS alerts on abnormal behaviour.
Auto-cleaning & self-regulation
Consistent output regardless of source water quality.
48V brushless motor
Zero electrocution risk. 3x more durable than standard motors.
Solar or grid powered
Low energy consumption. Excellent output-to-consumption ratio.
Airline-transportable
Compact enough to fly as luggage. Deployable anywhere.
🔒
Proprietary technology. Full technical specifications available under NDA. Request NDA →

The Studio

Industrial design · Consulting · Prototyping · Technical support

What we do
⚙️
Industrial design — product conception, ergonomics, user-focused engineering
🔬
Prototyping — from concept to field-tested prototype, including 3D printing
🏭
Manufacturing — machine design, component selection, 3D printing, material choice for durability and longevity
🛠️
Technical support — field maintenance, remote monitoring, system integration
💡
End-to-end development — feasibility analysis, from idea to working prototype
About

EthicDesignStudio is an independent Swiss industrial design studio founded by André Froidevaux, based in Biel/Bienne, Switzerland.

With over 20 years of hands-on experience across product design, mechanical prototyping and field engineering, the studio works on projects where precision, durability and real-world performance are non-negotiable.

Every prototype we build is functional and field-tested — from ice climbing in the Swiss Alps to brackish water in the Sine Saloum, Senegal.

EthicDesignStudio is the technology partner and exclusive licensor of Ethic Academy — the humanitarian water kiosk project deployed in West Africa.

Get in Touch

NDA requests, project enquiries, technical collaboration

Contact details
Studio
EthicDesignStudio
Founder
André Froidevaux
Location
Biel/Bienne, Switzerland
Humanitarian project
Send a message
Be one step
ahead.
Industrial Design · Prototyping · Engineering

EthicDesignStudio designs and builds functional prototypes for real-world challenges — field-tested, user-focused and engineered to last.

View projects

Our Projects

Functional prototypes — field-tested

2006
Lesto

Lead weight system for freediving. Built and tested at sea.

Completed
2012 — ongoing
Moskito

Self-supporting foldable mosquito net — protection against malaria and dengue. In use since 2012.

In use since 2012
2006 — 2025
Ice Climbing Axe

2 phases. Real-field and lab-tested in the Swiss Alps. Phase 2 targeting reduced weight.

Phase 2 testing
2011
Dobear

Headphone display stand for Sacom audio retail, Berne.

Completed
2014
Victool

Pocket knife accessory for Victorinox. Functional prototype.

Prototype
2017 — ongoing
JA Telemark

Telemark ski binding. 3 functional prototypes field-tested.

In development
June 2023
Monowheel Bike Trailer

Single-wheel trailer with suspension. Tested by end user. Airline-transportable.

Under NDA
July 2025
Raw Water Intake System

Pre-filtration system extending pump component lifespan.

Functional
2026
Aquatest 42

Portable water quality field testing. App coming to App Store.

App in development
Proto11
Water treatment · Operational June 2025

11 years of field experience in one machine.

45–60% water yield
vs. industry standard 20–39%. No chemicals.
20,000h pump lifespan
Up from 7,000h. No solenoid valves.
48V brushless motor
Zero electrocution risk. 3x more durable.
Zero-crash automation
Memory-safe software. SMS alerts.
Airline-transportable
Deployable anywhere by car, boat or plane.
🔒 Proprietary technology. Full specs available under NDA. Request NDA →

The Studio

Industrial design · Consulting · Prototyping

⚙️
Industrial design — product conception, ergonomics, user-focused engineering
🔬
Prototyping — concept to functional prototype, 3D printing
🏭
Manufacturing — machine design, component selection, material choice
🛠️
Technical support — field maintenance, remote monitoring
💡
End-to-end development — feasibility analysis, from idea to working prototype

Founded by André Froidevaux, Biel/Bienne. 20+ years hands-on experience. Every prototype field-tested under real conditions — from the Swiss Alps to West Africa.

Get in Touch

NDA requests · Project enquiries · Collaboration

Location
Biel/Bienne, Switzerland
Humanitarian project