Every water edge, watched
Edgewater answers one question fast: did a person or animal just go into the water? We're starting with backyard pools, because that's where the youngest kids are at risk.
Why we're building it
Drowning is the leading cause of death for U.S. children ages 1 to 4, and most of it happens at home. In a federal study of toddler pool drownings, most of the children had been out of sight for five minutes or less, and most weren't expected to be near the pool at all.
Pool alarms exist, but families run into the same three problems. Floating alarms go off for the wind, so people unplug them. Reliable underwater alarms don't connect to anyone's phone. And nobody can tell whether their alarm still works until the day it matters. Reviewers end up telling families to buy several separate products.
We think one box can do the job properly: sense the water, sound a siren immediately, and use a camera to decide who needs to know.
The team
Two University of San Diego engineering students: one on hardware, one on software and security.
Zoe Hassett
Co-founder, hardware
Electrical engineering. Zoe owns the sensors, the circuit board, power and solar, and the weatherproof enclosure, plus preparation for safety certification.
zhassett@sandiego.eduElias Alamat
Co-founder, software and security
Computer science, on the cybersecurity M.S. track. Elias owns the alarm firmware, the camera model, the app and security, and has shipped three apps to the App Store and Chrome Web Store.
ealamat@sandiego.eduWhat we're looking for
We know what we don't know yet. If you can help with any of these, please get in touch.
- A pool-builder advisor who knows how pools get sold and installed.
- Mentors in manufacturing, safety certification and product liability insurance.
- Drowning-prevention partners in San Diego who want to see our test results.
Roadmap
Pool first. Nothing sells until liability insurance is in place.
- Fall 2026
Working prototype on the bench, alarm firmware, first camera model, a backyard test rig and our side-by-side comparison video.
- Winter 2027
Custom circuit board, enclosure and app beta. Ten free pilot installs in San Diego.
- Spring 2027
ASTM F2208 testing, product liability insurance, two pool-builder partners and pre-orders.
- Summer 2027
First paid pool units.
- 2028
A first pilot for docks at a San Diego marina.
Beyond the pool
The same board, firmware and app can watch other water edges. A dock unit for waterfront homes would detect someone going into open water and not coming back up, starting with lights and two-way audio. Later, marinas could cover every slip, with a dashboard for the dockmaster.
That comes after the pool unit has paying customers. Right now, every hour goes into making the pool unit right.