CK Monitor: From Prototype to Product

Cattle Kettle is an ag tech startup transforming how small to mid-sized ranchers monitor and manage livestock water systems. Rooted in real-world ranching challenges, our solution—the CK Monitor—delivers remote, real-time water level tracking through a rugged, battery-powered device equipped with cellular and satellite connectivity. Over the past year, we’ve combined in-depth customer discovery, in-house hardware prototyping, and thoughtful software development to build a durable, user-friendly system that reduces operational risk, saves time, and restores peace of mind. By engaging directly with ranchers across Nebraska, we’ve designed a solution that aligns with their workflows, withstands harsh conditions, and scales with their operations. Our team has laid the technical, operational, and business foundations to move from prototype to market-ready product, positioning Cattle Kettle as a leading force in rural innovation and sustainable livestock management. Alongside technical development, we’ve included a team retrospective as part of this thesis to capture process insights and lessons learned. This reflection offers guidance for future Design Studio teams and highlights what made our approach effective—and where we’d do things differently.