Review of SafeSip

SafeSip was created to solve the problem of poor water filtration/water contamination and potential drugs in a drink (a la a date rape). The small portable device was designed to test the chemical composition of any liquid and detect whether a drink is safe or unsafe to drink. While the intent behind the device was great, the execution of design and implementation seems to have fallen short.

The project began with the idea of helping third-world countries combat unsafe drinking water that must be collected from rivers or ponds. SafeSip itself, being a testing device, does not seem to solve that issue since a simple education session would teach those citizens that the water their drinking is killing them, although the team did admit that donating proceeds to other organizations behind providing water sources for these villages was more beneficial.

However, the United States does not have pristine water either. Several big cities have contaminated water supplies that have to be run through filtration systems anyway, though these systems aren't perfect. For those using SafeSip however, wouldn't one test of their water be enough information? Why pay $30 for a device that you only really need (in this setting) once?

This device seems best intended for combating date rape drugs, which works great because it is so portable. This situation of being drugged is not as common sense as the water contamination issues outlined earlier. The idea of quickly testing for a drugged drink is a great one, and this is where SafeSip's market should lie.

However, there are still several concerns with the product. One concern is the battery life of the device. The device uses very sophisticated technology, and the device itself is rather small, and the device is only priced at $30. Even though it can be charged via sunlight and has a charging port on it to use with one's phone, it still seems that the battery life will be VERY short, requiring constant charging. This isn't very ideal in any setting.

Another concern with SafeSip is maintenance. Again, with the sophisticated electronics, how are users going to take care of their SafeSip devices? Constantly sticking it into drinks is going to require cleaning, and this doesn't seem like something you can run around soap and water. It would need very careful attention when cleaning, and the electronics that make it work cannot be that simple to clean, no matter the price of the product.

The intention and ideas behind SafeSip are sound, but it does not seem like a technologically feasible device. This also seems like a lot of value to pack into $30, enough value that it would run the company out of business immediately, especially with the intent that every purchase would be matched. Perhaps much farther in the future this product could see the light of day, but for right now, SafeSip is a good idea at best.