A Shift Already in Motion
HOZO was quietly evolving, taking shape long before anyone really noticed.
By 2024, HOZO had gradually expanded from precision measurement tool to a focused set of desktop creative tools. This evolution wasn’t the result of a single decision; it emerged naturally through long-term collaboration with makers and close observation of their real workflows. Early on, we realized that measurement was never an end in itself. It always served a larger creative process. makers wanted capturing dimensions, cutting, and finishing to flow seamlessly together.
We shared that desire. Over time, our tools didn’t just gain new functions. They gradually aligned with this sense of continuity. The eighth year marked the moment when this direction became clear, rather than a brand-new starting point.
Neo Series-Desktop DIY Tools
Smart Measure Tools
Listening, Learning, Growing with Makers
HOZO began in 2018 as Rollova and, through ongoing conversations with makers, gradually shaped its design logic. We observed recurring, subtle actions in their work, including pauses, adjustments, and repetitions, which revealed how makers use their DIY workbench to experiment and refine their process. These insights taught us that DIY isn’t just a category of tools; it’s a system shaped by the interaction of tools, environment, and constraints.
NeoRuler was born from this understanding. It won the 2024 iF Design Award and addressed core measurement challenges in a simple, practical way. It features over 90 built-in scales, effortless switching between metric and imperial units, and customizable measuring ruler for unexpected dimensions. This allows makers to work with scale models and take precise measurements using Digital Scale Rulers, balancing precision with convenience.
NeoBlade: Our Leap into Desktop DIY
A year before NeoBlade appeared, our team identified the need for an industrial-grade ultrasonic cutter to trim plastic parts, as manual fixes were tiring and hard to make smooth. After procuring and testing the equipment, our engineer lead, James, realized that although these industrial machines were precise, they were bulky, restrictive, and not suited for the desktop. They could be used, but they never truly fit the way makers operate.
This mismatch became apparent through repeated use: small interruptions, inconsistent results, and experiences that were usable but frustrating. So we decided to tackle the problem ourselves, developing a compact, wireless ultrasonic knife specifically designed for desktop DIY.
We explored multiple paths, testing existing products, experimenting with open-source solutions, and collaborating with suppliers. Early prototypes often failed due to overheating, unstable performance, or fluctuating results, slowing progress. Each failure clarified one fact: the problem wasn’t just performance, it was the definition of the tool itself.
NeoBlade gradually took shape as an ultrasonic knife designed specifically for the desktop. It’s not a scaled-down industrial machine; it fits the way makers work and supports more precise, efficient crafting. Its success on Kickstarter, where it became the highest-funded project in the KS ultrasonic knife category (excluding the late pledge phase), surpassing NeoRuler to set a new record within our brand, and attracting 4,151 backers who pledged a total of US
$787,219, validated both the product and the approach.
Flow Across a Connected System
Over time, we noticed a subtle but important pattern: the tools could perform their core tasks well, yet each carried its own small frustrations, making it difficult to work seamlessly across steps. Even handoffs between tools could quietly accumulate into interruptions, shaping the overall experience in ways users notice far more than any single tool’s performance.
A simple example makes this clear. The strong vibrations from cutting carry through your fingertips and deep into your palm, leaving a lingering numbness. Low sanding efficiency stretches the process even further, forcing you to pause and shake out your hand before continuing. With only a single sanding head at your disposal, you constantly have to peel and reattach sandpaper, undoing the careful touch and focus you had finally built.
These moments accumulate, disrupting rhythm. Work continues, but continuous motion gives way to repeated starts and stops. Momentum wanes, attention drifts, and even precision suffers.
The Neo series was born from this principle. Every tool—from NeoRuler to NeoSander—integrates into a continuous rhythm, from measuring to cutting to sanding, with consistent underlying logic, making transitions between steps natural. We designed NeoSander for fine sanding, to bring this workflow philosophy into practice. It was a test of our design principle. The crowdfunding response was overwhelming: 14,738 backers pledged US
$ 2,708,071, confirming that the workflow challenges we had identified were widespread among desktop DIY makers. NeoSander validated both our observations and our decision to evolve HOZO into a system-oriented brand.
Over time, this approach evolved into a living system, growing alongside makers. When the “flow” is maintained, work becomes smoother, confidence builds through continuity, and new ideas emerge more easily. Tools fade into the background, letting creation take the center stage.
Make beyond making
Somewhere in the world, there is always a desk where a new idea is quietly taking shape. A sketch becomes a small experiment. A small experiment becomes something worth finishing. Given the right tools and the right flow, even uncertain ideas begin to feel possible.
We often think about these moments. Because when more steps in the creative process flow smoothly, what people achieve can exceed their original imagination. This is the direction we continue to pursue, extending our system to more scenarios, more workflows, and more possibilities, making experimentation easier and completion more natural.
With our next HOZO tool on its way, imagine it stepping into your workflow. Where it fits, what it sparks, and most importantly: where would it make the biggest difference for you?
We’ll leave the rest to your imagination, and we love to hear from makers in the comments area.
Share:
Celebrate the Season with HOZO: Earn Up to 10% Back in New Year Gift Cards