The SMRT1 Harm-Reduction Kiosks project stands as a compelling example of how thoughtful technology and design can drive real impact in public health.
The Challenge
Opioid overdoses and the growing need for accessible harm reduction tools have become urgent issues in communities across North America. Traditional distribution methods for life-saving supplies like Naloxone kits and fentanyl test strips often involve barriers—stigma, limited hours, privacy concerns—that prevent the most vulnerable from getting help when and where they need it most.
The Solution
As an early founding member and product front-end lead, I helped shape SMRT1 into much more than a vending machine. The core idea: transform harm-reduction supply distribution into a dignified, stigma-reducing experience using smart vending technology.
Key Components:
- React-Powered Kiosk Interfaces: Fast, accessible user flows designed for intuitive use in urgent moments.
- Cloud Management Dashboard: Enables health organizations to easily monitor inventory, analyze usage data, and manage fleets of kiosks remotely.
- Brand and Product Design: Crafted a public-facing identity prioritizing safety, trust, and discretion—vital in combating stigma.
- Prototyping & 3D/Motion Collateral: Used Figma and Framer to test and demonstrate interactive experiences for stakeholders before production.
The Approach
The project’s technical arc included designing and documenting front-end systems, building internal toolkits, and establishing robust customer support practices for deployments. UX decisions were based on real conversations with harm-reduction workers and people with lived experience—shaping everything from kiosk accessibility to the tone of on-screen instructions.
My role extended beyond code: I mentored the front-end team, authored documentation, and continued in an advisory capacity as SMRT1’s reach grew.
Impact
Deployments of SMRT1 kiosks now span the US and Canada, providing uninterrupted, stigma-free access to Naloxone and testing kits. The result: more lives saved, fewer barriers, and a new benchmark for harm-reduction tech in public spaces.
“A practical public-health tool with thoughtful UX that lowers barriers to access.”^1
As needs evolve, the platform continues to adapt—adding new features and responding to community feedback, always with a focus on dignity-first design.
SMRT1’s journey proves that public-health technology must be more than functional: it should be accessible, empathetic, and relentlessly user-focused. This project remains a highlight for what can be achieved when design and mission align.
