Project
HTC Vive Flow - Dissolving Electronics Concept
Initiated by a Keyshot competition focused on visually reimagining HTC’s VIVE Flow VR glasses, PROWL used this as an opportunity to research and conceptualize new solutions to tackling e-waste and apply our ‘We Begin with the End™’ ethos to technology hardware.
According to the United Nations Institute for Training and Research, over 137 billion pounds of e-waste—roughly 18 pounds per person—was generated globally in 2022. A significant portion ends up in landfills or is incinerated, with much of it exported to lower-income countries for informal recycling.
Tied up in this e-waste are plastics, which constitute approximately 20% of waste electrical and electronic equipment. However, their recycling is complicated by hazardous additives such as brominated flame retardants, posing serious environmental and human health risks. To make matters worse, only about 1% of the global demand for rare earth elements is currently met through e-waste recycling.
Inspired by cutting-edge research in fully biocompatible, water-soluble polymers for electronics, our concept envisions a circular future for the VIVE Flow headset—one in which precious metals and components can be efficiently reclaimed through a dissolvable casing.
While emerging research also points to potential environmental trade-offs with these polymers, we believe these early concepts can spark critical innovation: reducing reliance on raw material extraction, and opening new value streams for municipal systems to collect and redistribute electronic materials.
What if e-waste recovery became a core function of local infrastructure?
What if these water-soluble polymers were derived from bio-based sources?
What if dissolving our devices left no harmful trace behind?
The black and gray finishes commonly used in electronics are typically achieved using carbon black—a soot-like pigment produced through the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels that contributes to global warming.
By avoiding these toxic colorants, we explored neutral, soft finishes that evoke harmony with the natural world—reinforcing the Vive Flow’s positioning as a wellness-focused device. This refined palette places the headset alongside forward-thinking brands like Walden and wellness apps like Open.
At PROWL, we imagine a future where our electronics don't poison people or the planet—where devices are designed to be reclaimed, not discarded.
If you're a company rethinking the life cycle of your products—from first sketch to final finish—let’s talk. We’d love to help you imagine what’s next.
