WEEK 1 - Fitness Tracker
WEEK 2 - Hair Straighteners
Week 3 - Public Transport
WEEK 1
Problem
Fitness Tracker
Problem Identification
Being a broad title to the challenge, I decided to identify what is regarded as a fitness tracker so to understand the design constraints.
Having participated in team sports for the majority of my life, my experiences lie greatly in aerobic exercise and mainly in the optimisation of fitness, which is where I directed this challenge primarily.
I also conducted research into different types of exercise and what key measurements need to be made to successfully track the user properly.
Using the average person as my customer market, I wanted to design something that would be helpful and encouraging to use.
SOLUTION 1 - CHEST MONITOR
Using ECG (electrocardiography) technology in the clip on, which monitors the heart rate by recording the electronic pulses from the blood flow via the electrode strip attached to the lower band on the sports bra. This data is then transmitted and then analysed on an app on the users phone via Bluetooth.
The chest is shown to be the best place to monitor not only heart rate and blood flow during running activities like the wrist fitness trackers, but also can accurately monitor through many other types of exercise such as HIIT workouts and lifting weights.
It is detachable, meaning that you can use it not only for monitoring your workout but also as a regular sports bra. The idea is to initially buy a sports bra and the detachable monitor and then be able to buy a range of different sports bras for different purposes and styles.
SOLUTION 2 - EARPHONE TRACKER
This design also uses ECG technology in the form of a strip around the earbud which is inserted into the ear.
This design is mainly aimed at solo sports people such as gym goers or runners. As many people listen to music whilst exercising, this is a multi-purpose product.
The ear is also the second best place on the body to track blood pressure and muscle oxygenation due to the proximity of the veins and the surface of the skin. The earphones are Bluetooth so as the user is exercising, the earphones are transmitting the user's heart rate and an app on the phone is analysing the data.
The app has other functions such as following workouts preloaded into the app which instructions on how to complete them with the correct positioning and counting the reps/time for you through the headphones but also creating your own workout from a wide selection of different gyms exercises.
WEEK 2
Problem
Hair Straightener
Problem Identification
As someone with curly hair, I found this design challenge fascinating as I tend to dislike the current methods of straightening hair due to reasons including time taken, arms aching and an inconsistent result.
With this in mind I was able to apply design constraints and explore different ways of straightening hair.
I conducted research into existing methods of straightening hair as well as looking into the hair structure and how it works on a molecular level. For this research I used thesis papers and other literary articles.
To gain a deeper understanding into how heat transfer would work in both conductive and convective ways, I consulted my heat transfer notes as it is part of my Engineering Science 2 module. This helped me understand fundamental key elements of heat transfer.
SOLUTION 1 - HAIRBRUSH STRAIGHTENER
This design was based on the idea that the brushing motion of hair is not unnatural. Therefore, it can be used without arms aching due to awkward positioning, and it is easy to swap between each hand to fully cover the head.
This product is plugged in but is controlled by and on/off switch, so it can be used as a straightener but also as a regular hairbrush whenever the user wishes.
The bristles act like fins, meaning that heat loss occurs from where the nickel chromium heating element finishes in the bristle down to the tip. It is designed as shown in the picture above as so that the majority of the bristle has an even temperature, hot enough to break the hydrogen bonds, but the tip is cool enough to not burn the users skin. The bristles collectively provide the force required to hold it in tension, apply the heat and to therefore straighten the hair.
The handle is ergonomic to hold, using a softer elastomer than the thermoset polymer used for the outer casing. This is ergonomic as it has the dimples making it easier to grip but also being supple on the hands.
SOLUTION 2 - HAND BRUSH STRAIGHTENER
This idea stemmed from how often I used my fingers to comb out the knots in my hair every day.
Using the same heating element as the design above, this should be easier and quicker to use as well as having more control over the hair.
There were two main issues that were explored:
1. Making sure it wasn't too hot on the hand
Silicon aerogel is the best insulator with the lowest thermal conductivity of 0.014W/m²K. Meaning that it is very suitable to be used in this product as the safety of the user is the number one priority.
2. Ensuring the materials were flexible enough to provide full movement of the hand and fingers
Without full movement of the hand and fingers, it will lessen the effect of the product and defeat the point of the design. Lightweight and flexible materials were chosen, so it wouldn't be heavy or strenuous to use.
WEEK 3
Problem
Making Public Transport Safer - COVID-19
Problem Identification
Due to the recent pandemic outbreak, many people will be apprehensive to return to using public transport. It will be interesting to explore whole system changes impacting users as a whole or small products which aid an individual user.
Research was conducted into different types of public transport, showing the bus is the most popular type of public transport, with over 3 million people using it each day.
Also, into spreading of virus' and diseases and any existing prevention methods, such as washing hands regularly.
The main two ways of virus and disease spread is through direct and indirect droplet spread i.e. coughing, from which droplets can contaminate surfaces and live on them for up to 9 days.
SOLUTION 1 - GRABLER
This idea is based on an individual approach to helping public transport be safer.
The grabler is a product that is intended to hook onto poles or other hold on points provided in public transports such as the tube or the bus. Only one hand is required for the product throughout its use so the user can hold their bag or use their phone at the same time.
This product isn't just limited to public transport, it can be used to push shopping trolleys and to carry multiple shopping bags as well. It is easily cleaned in soap and water as well as antibacterial wipes.
Injection moulded polypropylene with a thermoplastic elastomer over moulded for the handle, can be in a variety of colours.
SOLUTION 2 - BUS REPLACEMENT
This whole system approach redesigns the bus so there are individual booths for your travelling group of two adults or an adult and two kids. There are also larger booths for disabled access and those with pushchairs.
This limits the number of people per bus but this can be combated by increasing the number of busses running, especially at peak times.
The doors only open at each stop when the booth is empty and there is a light above each door notifying the people in line which to go for. The doors are automatic, so the user will not have to touch it and there is individual ventilation systems for each booth.
Inside the booth there are spray and wipes available to clean surfaces, but there is really no need to touch anything in the booth other than the seats. There is a map of the route and a list of the names of each stop as well as the next stop being displayed in the booth. To pay the user has to state the name or number of the stop and is charged the exact amount as told to by the automated speaker. To pay the user uses contactless against the payment panel.