Originally published by Fast Company
Flipper Zero is a hacking device that looks nothing like a hacking device. Despite its toylike appearance, Flipper Zero—the winner of Fast Company’s 2024 Innovation by Design Awards in security—enables users to interact with a wide range of digital systems, from wireless radio devices to NFC and RFID cards.
Alex Kulagin, Founder and COO of Flipper Devices, says he and his cofounder Pavel Zhovner conceived of the device as a research and educational tool to test the vulnerability of the daily technologies that surround us—often the ones you never thought could be unsafe. “Flipper Zero helps to explore how the technologies behind these features actually work and how to safely use them,” Kulagin says.
Unlike traditional hardware tools, which are often expensive, complex, and utilitarian, Flipper Zero combines multiple functionalities in an easy-to-use, engaging device. It can capture and save infrared signals from TVs or AC remotes, and emulate electronic keys like iButton. And because it’s open-source and customizable, users can extend it however they like with add-on components and hundreds of applications.
The gadget’s design is a love letter to Y2K-era futurism, referencing cyberpunk culture, Tamagotchi, old mobile phones, and movies like Hackers, The Matrix, and Bladerunner. The interface’s warm and nostalgic orange hue was a nod to the Siemens C55 screen and features a quirky dolphin mascot that guides users through setup menus (it also changes its mood based on user interaction, adding a playful element to the device). “We decided that the main character would be a dolphin from the beginning,” Kulagin explains. “Our dolphin is a quirky, queer, and enthusiastic but simple and nice guy at the same time. We wanted to create a character that you’d want to be friends with.”
To address concerns about potential misuse, the Flipper Zero team has implemented measures to ensure ethical use, including built-in limitations to prevent malicious activities and community guidelines emphasizing responsible practices. Despite gaining notoriety through viral TikTok videos, Flipper Zero is widely used in educational settings—from prestigious universities to classrooms in developing countries—to teach students about computer science and cybersecurity.
