Zenko D100 · 2025 Anthem Awards
Every child's height,
measured to the peak.
The Zenko D100 is the laser height/length measuring device co-developed with World Vision — over 99% accuracy, lighter than a wooden board, at a fraction of the cost. Built for health workers who measure hundreds of children a day.
Field-validated
Numbers from the field, not the brochure.
A 2025 prospective validation study in Vietnam measured 560 children against the gold-standard wooden board, with frontline health workers and volunteers doing the measuring.
Source: World Vision International, Evaluating laser devices for measuring child height
How it works
One laser.
One subtraction.
The D100 measures children standing up (24–59 months) or lying down (under 24 months) — no squinting at fine ruler lines, no number left to interpretation.
-
01
The headpiece rests on the child
Slide the headpiece down until it sits flat on top of the child's head, exactly as you would on a wooden board.
-
02
A single laser reads the gap above
One laser in the headpiece fires straight up the column to the top cap and measures the distance to where the beam lands — d.
-
03
The device subtracts it from its own length
The distance from base plate to top cap is fixed and known — L. What remains is the child: H, shown on the LCD to 0.1 cm.
H=L−dHeight = fixed device length − laser distance
Length mode
Under 24 months, lying down.
The same frame lays flat. Lay the child against the board, bring the headpiece into contact and read the number — the same single laser, the same display to 0.1 cm.
- Standing
- 24–59 months
- Lying
- Under 24 months
- Reading
- 0.1 cm, on the LCD
Set the board
Assemble the three pieces and stand it up — it doesn't need levelled ground or a flat wall to measure accurately.
Position the child
Standing or lying down, the same posture as any standard check-up — and it takes two people instead of three.
Read the number
The exact height appears on a large non-reflective LCD — the same number for every measurer. The last 10 readings stay in memory, so you can double-check any child without measuring again.
Why switch
Same accuracy as the wooden board. Lighter, and a third of the cost.
Everything a field program already does with a wooden board — without the carrying, the levelling or the squinting.
| Category | Wooden height board | Zenko D100 |
|---|---|---|
| Product |  |  |
| Weight | ~8 kg, solid wood | ~5 kg, medical-grade plastic |
| Portability | Bulky, hard to transport | Disassembles to 3 pieces, fits in a backpack |
| Cost | $500–750 per unit | ~$150 per unit |
| Setup | Needs levelled ground and a flat wall | Works without levelled ground or walls |
| Reading | Fine ruler lines read by eye — prone to human error | Exact number on a large LCD — nothing to misread |
| Data | Handwritten records, no memory | Recalls the last 10 measurements |
| Connectivity | None — paper only | Built-in Wi-Fi · custom integration on request |
| Team | Three people per measurement | Two people per measurement |
| Speed | Slower — read, confirm, write | 30%+ faster per child |
Wooden board figures refer to the UNICEF-style solid-wood boards commonly used in field programs. Both devices measure standing height and lying length, and both are waterproof.
Our field story
Eleven years in the making.
The Zenko D100 is the production version of the laser device co-developed by World Vision and Magpie Tech — a collaboration recognized with two 2025 Anthem Awards. Every design decision came from real measurement days in the field.
World Vision begins the searchScoping for a technology partner to reinvent child height measurement
Partnership with Magpie TechPatented laser measurement technology meets deep field knowledge
First working prototypeMeasures both standing height and lying length in outreach settings
Field testing in VietnamReliable results even with community volunteers doing the measuring
Validation study and two Anthem Awards560 children measured; >99% accuracy confirmed against the gold standard
Production toolingBangladesh field deployment in December; pre-orders ship next
Selected by the expert judges of the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences — the people behind the Webby Awards.
Voted by the public, recognizing the impact of the laser device on children's health and nutrition worldwide. Read the announcement
Specifications
Simple on the outside, precise underneath.
| Model | D100 |
|---|---|
| Measurement | Single laser rangefinder in the sliding headpiece · height = fixed device length − laser distance |
| Modes | Standing height (24–59 months) · lying length (under 24 months) |
| Validated accuracy | >99% accuracy & precision · 0.47 cm mean difference vs. gold standard |
| Measuring range | Up to 140 cm |
| Display | Large digital LCD, non-reflective in sunlight |
| Power | AA batteries — up to 2,000 measurements per set |
| Data | Built-in memory — recall the last 10 measurements |
| Connectivity | Built-in Wi-Fi · custom integration development available on request |
| Body | Medical-grade plastic, waterproof, ~5 kg |
| Operating conditions | Tested in humid climates up to 40°C |
| Portability | Disassembles into 3 pieces · dedicated carrying backpack included |
| Warranty | 1 year |
| Origin | Designed and manufactured in Korea |
Who we are
Built by engineers who've spent 20 years making things that work.
The Zenko D100 is engineered and produced by IGES Inc., a Korean mechanical design firm that takes products all the way from first sketch to mass production — planning, design, prototyping, tooling and manufacturing under one roof.
The team behind IGES has designed portable X-ray detectors, PCR diagnostic equipment, medical cameras and industrial robots. Precision instruments for demanding environments are what they do every day. The program side of Zenko stays with the original field team behind the World Vision collaboration, so nothing gets lost between the clinic and the factory.
Pre-order
Reserve yours from the first production run.
Mass production begins at the end of 2026, with first units deployed to NGO field programs. Pre-orders are fulfilled in order of payment.
- 1× Zenko D100 laser height/length device
- Carrying backpack included
- 1-year warranty
- Estimated shipping: 2027 Q1
Payment is handled by PayPal — you can pay with a PayPal account or a card, and your card details never touch this site. Pre-orders are refundable in full until your unit ships.
- Volume pricing for program-scale orders
- Invoice + international bank transfer (T/T)
- Export documentation support
- A direct line to the product team
Tell us your program, quantity and destination country — we reply within 2 business days.
Newsletter
Follow the build.
Field photos from Bangladesh, production updates from the factory floor, and first notice when pre-orders open. A short email once in a while — no noise.
We only use your email for Zenko updates. Unsubscribe anytime.
FAQ
Questions, answered.
When will my pre-order ship?
Mass production begins at the end of 2026, with first units deployed to NGO field programs including a December deployment in Bangladesh. Individual pre-orders ship from 2027 Q1, in order of payment. We'll email your tracking number the moment your unit leaves Korea.
How does a single laser measure height?
The laser sits in the headpiece that rests on the child's head. It fires straight up to the top of the column and measures that distance. Because the length of the device itself is fixed and known, subtracting the laser reading from it leaves the child's height — shown on the LCD to 0.1 cm.
How accurate is it, really?
In a 2025 prospective validation study in Vietnam, the device measured 560 children against the gold-standard wooden board and showed over 99% accuracy and precision, with a mean difference of 0.47 cm — well within the WHO threshold of 0.7 cm. Precision held up across different operators, including community volunteers.
Can it measure babies lying down?
Yes. The D100 measures lying length for children under 24 months and standing height for children 24–59 months — the same two modes as a traditional wooden board, with the same measurement protocol health workers already know.
Does it connect over Wi-Fi?
Yes — the device has built-in Wi-Fi. If your program needs the measurement data to reach a specific system, we can take on custom integration development. Tell us what you need through the quote form.
Can I cancel my pre-order?
Yes — pre-orders are refundable in full any time before your unit ships. Email us and we'll refund it through PayPal, back to the account or card you paid with.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes. Shipping is quoted by destination at checkout for individual orders; bulk orders are quoted with freight included. Import duties and taxes, where applicable, are the buyer's responsibility.
What does the warranty cover?
One year from delivery, covering sensor, display and electronics defects under normal use. Field-condition durability is exactly what this product is designed for — tell us what broke and we'll make it right.
We're an NGO — can we test a unit first?
Program-scale buyers can request an evaluation arrangement through the quote form. Tell us your measurement protocol and program size, and we'll set something up.