Tag: prototype

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Post-Make-A-Thon Recovery

From Friday, April 12th, 5:00 pm to Sunday, April 14th, 2:00 pm, we participated in a Make-a-thon. Yes, it was a LONG weekend, but I had a lot of fun, not just developing the idea with my team, but also seeing the brilliant ideas that other teams came up with. It felt amazing to be finally turning our ideas into something tangible and demonstrating it to others.

Before heading into the event, my team and I were still exploring a couple of different ideas for the protective cover of a power wheelchair joystick and decided that we would try to develop a prototype for both. One of the ideas was an armadillo-style cover that would function like the cover that is found on baby strollers.

Image result for baby stroller
Baby stroller, which inspired us to come up with an armadillo-style cover for a power chair.

On Friday evening, we met with Ryan, our expert user, and shared this idea. He seemed to be interested in the idea but shared a few of his concerns about it, including the visibility of the screen, buttons, and joysticks that would be protected by the cover. After the meeting, my team and I discussed the idea further, wondering whether it would be best if we continue to focus on trying both ideas or dropping this one. While discussing it, we also realized that this armadillo-style may not be as effective if it is used in a windy condition as the rain could still easily get to the electronic parts of the chair. Therefore, although we really liked this idea since it was unique, we decided to focus our efforts on creating a prototype for the other idea throughout the event.

After this decision was made, one of my teammates and I decided to scavenge for materials around the Fablab. Since we decided on the skin idea, similar to that of the phone covers, we were looking for a transparent material that could be wrapped around the arm of a power chair. We were very lucky to find one that perfectly suited for this purpose.

Image result for flexible transparent phone cover
A flexible phone cover that is transparent, which inspired us to come up with a “skin” for the arm of a power chair.

The following day, a fellow student from the Fablab course joined our team to work on the project together for the duration of the event. After we caught him up on our ideas and the progress, we were able to work together extremely well, making progress quickly. From gathering the rest of the materials to designing the prototype, everything progressed smoothly. Using the dimensions of Ryan’s power chair that we measured earlier, we made a copy of the arm using styrofoam. Based on this model, we were able to wrap the transparent material around it to mold and cut it into the shape that we needed it to be.

In addition to the cover, we wanted to provide texture on the part that covers the joystick to allow for a firmer grip for the users. Not only would it allow for easier use for the user, but it would also provide a more secure feeling, which we decided was important to offer with our product. We were able to mold a material around the joystick with grooves of a grip to demonstrate this.

While we were working on this, one of the teammates worked on using Arduino to create a testing device that could detect whether moisture was entering through the cover or not. He was able to code and successfully build a device that would make a beeping noise when it detected moisture. Although we do not think this would be a part of the final product, it is something that we plan on using to test our prototypes in the future to check for its functionality.

Initially, although I was happy that we were able to create a prototype and demonstrate our idea to others, I was not as confident in it. I thought that it did not have enough differentiating factors that made it unique. Fortunately, others did not think that way. From judges to supports, everyone showed their interest in our idea and provided their own inputs for it. Everyone was so supportive that I felt proud to showcase it. I learned the importance of not doubting myself and instead, being proud of the work that my team and I have put in throughout the event. From working in a team environment, providing and receiving feedback, to learning to use different tools, this experience taught me a lot of valuable skills that I will continue to use.

For the rest of the semester, we are hoping to move on from this transparent plastic material that we found and work with silicone instead to create the cover. Now that we have the idea set on how it will look like and how it will be used, we want to create it with the actual material that we are hoping the product to be made with. With silicone, there may be additional adjustments that need to be made on our design, which is why we believe it is critical to create a prototype with it. We are very excited to see how far we can get with the rest of the semester.

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Prototype Development

As the date of the Make-a-thon approaches, my team and I are trying to narrow down on our options for the prototype. With selecting one or two prototypes to continue as our objective of the week, we shared our ideas to Milestone Labs to receive their feedback. From the bridge-style and an armadillo-style to a molding idea, we had a wide range of ideas for the cover of the joystick for a power wheelchair. Although we liked the idea of providing a molding kit to the user so that the cover can be customized for the specific wheelchair along with the possibility of adding grooves for the grips or using different colors, we realized that this method is most likely out of our reach to achieve for the make-a-thon event. Therefore, we decided to continue with the prototypes that we can make further progress with.

During the discussion with Milestone Labs, we shared our findings on the market research and how the current joystick protectors on the market are ugly as seen below.

However, when we came up with other ideas with better designs, we discovered the challenge of making the product fit with different types of chairs in order to increase the user base. When we shared this problem with Milestone Labs, they told us to focus on our direct user, Ryan, first and see how it goes from there on.

After consulting with Milestone Labs, we came together as a team to have a discussion about our prototypes. Our original prototypes were made to protect the joystick itself, but after reviewing Ryan’s power chair, we decided that it would be important to also protect the screen and the buttons on the arm of the chair. Therefore, we developed an idea of a protective sleeve that would fit around the arm of the power chair tightly for the improved appearance compared to the ones in the market. The design is shown in the sketch below.

After the sketch, we discussed the potential materials that can be used for the product. There were many things we needed to consider, including:

  1. Is the material waterproof? Will it be able to withstand a lot of rain?
  2. Can it withstand a variety of weather conditions including but not limited to rain, snow, cold, humid, hot, and direct sunlight?
  3. Is it transparent so that the user can see the buttons and the screen through the cover?
  4. Is the material affordable?
  5. Is the material durable yet flexible enough that it can be molded around the joystick as well as the arm of the power chair?

Considering such questions, we developed a list of materials, which can be seen in the picture above on the top right corner of the whiteboard. We also discussed the mechanism for wrapping the sleeve around the arm of the chair, including buttons, zippers, and velcro. We talked about whether one method was easier to perform than the other as well as the effectiveness of it as both factors are crucial for the users.

Although we had many ideas before, we were unsure which route to take for the project. This week, we were able to narrow it down and come up with solid details for the product, so I am very happy with the progress that has been made. We are excited to get our hands on the materials and start working on the prototype. In the meantime, we are planning on meeting with Ryan again to measure dimensions of his chair as well as developing low-fidelity prototypes using papers and fabrics.

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FabLab 2.0

Inkscape vector file of watch to be laser cut

This week we returned to the FabLab. We continued to familiarize ourselves with all the tools and tech the lab has to offer. We specifically learned a vector editing software called Inkscape. Through this workshop we learned how to create basic shapes, manipulate them, and produce more. After learning the basics of the software we learned to transform images into vector graphics. These skills were then applied to a customized watch. The watch is a device that allows patients who have to do bicep curls and rotation in wrist during rehabilitation. The base of the watch consist of 3 wooden circles, two of which have rectangles on each side. I thought it would be help patients if the watch had small arrow indications of which way the device goes. The top layer rotates, so I designed an arrow pointing in the direction of proper rotation.

3 layered watch with electrical components

After this we moved into sewing. Unlike most of my peers I have experienced sewing. My sophomore year I sewed a jacket with a sleeping bag attachment completely from scratch. So during the tutorials and walkthroughs I was a couple steps ahead. We all picked the fabrics we wanted our wristband for the watch to be and then cut it to scale.  We sew it right sice in and sewed the seam. This created the sort of sack like appearance of the band. Getting it right side out was a hassle, it required us to use these thin wooden rods to pull the fabric through. We finished up by attaching velcro strips to the band to ensure a comfortable and secure fit to the wrist.

Images showcasing the process of sewing and creating the band for the watch

The second half of class each group presented to Milestone Labs and Adam Bleakney. We’ve made a lot of progress since last speaking with them. We got a lot of insight from this conversation. We realized we hadn’t thought everything thoroughly. Our design is solid but we have to really hone in on the attachment aspect of it. The overall ease of use should be convenient for the user. They also asked a lot of questions regarding materials of our device. We are currently scheduling a time to interview a material science professor here at the university. This week I have scheduled a virtual interview with my physical therapy. We also have a meeting this monday with my professor who handmakes shoes. We plan to do a bunch more research structured around our opportunity and project idea.

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Week 7 Reflection –Dive Deep with Design

This week, we had a fun and interactive session at Fab lab.

At the first half of the class, we were divided into two groups: one group learned laser cutting, and the other group worked with the circuit. Next week, the two groups are going to switch so that every student can study all the skills. I joined the circuit group for this week. Although I have some experience with the circuit in my high school, I haven’t touched it since my freshman year, so it was a relearning process for me. Previously, when I connected items, I always used soldering. This time, the process was less messy; we used electrical insulation paper instead. The output was pretty cool; when the orientation shifted between horizontal and vertical, the lightbulb would turn on and off.

The circuit

In the second half of the session, we were broken into research groups and developed further with our ideation. Since we have come across three themes from the last class, we drew our ideas down visually in this week’s lesson. While we brainstormed, the TA instructed us to consider different situations and how our designs would be altered depending on the circumstances. I regarded this as a handy reflection tool. Before I thought about various users and various occasions, I was envisioning very generally, and this exercise helped me to think of extreme users and consider ways to make the ideas applicable to more users. For instance, for the idea of designing something to assist people in grabbing objects, I initially drew a ring for people’s middle finger to cross. After rethinking how seniors and children would interact with the design, I shifted the model to look like a glove so that it could accommodate people with less strength and they wouldn’t need much physical or mental power to control.

My ideas

After the brainstorming, our group focused on working on one prototype: how to enable people to see what’s behind them. We thought of an object that could stick to the arms of the wheelchair so it could be stable, and then this object could be expanded and adjusted to different heights based on the users’ preferences. When users don’t need it, it could be folded easily to minimize the space it occupies. On top of the object, the users could attach mirrors, phones or tablets to it based on their preferences, and this could let them be able to see what’s behind them.

The prototype for vision

On Sunday, we had an interview with a PA at Beckwith and shared our ideas on different themes and our prototype. He gave us much feedback on how the topics that we discovered were impacting people’s lifes currently, how people were dealing with them, and how he perceived those ideas would apply to the students. We altered our design based on his comments. For instance, for the model to assist people in grabbing objects, he mentioned how some people don’t have strength in their fingers or the fingers may be shaped differently. Thus, we decided to make the glove only cover the palm part of the hand. Also, we realized that the traditional look of the glove might be hard for people to wear themselves. As a result, we designed it to be open at the side with the zipper.

The prototype for grabbing objects

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Week 7: Fab Lab – A Fabulous Place for Ideation and Fabrication

Fab Lab Tour

Before this week’s class, I heard the word “fab lab” multiple times during this course. I was always wondering what it looks like in the Fab Lab and what kind of tools in the fab lab we can use. As a student who has visited the IMPACT LABS in Israel, I expected the Fab Lab to look a lot more like the IMPACT LABS. The actual tour gave me a perception that the tools we have access in the Fab Lab are very similar to the IMPACT LABS, including 3D printers, sewing machines, 3D scanners, laser cutters, electronic cutters, and the milling machine, etc. The IMPACT LABS may have some more technologies available like the digital CNC, but then there are a lot more computers with necessary design software installed in the computers for the community to use. In this lab, I discovered software that I have never seen and used before. With a combination of so many amazing tools, I believe that our creation stage will not be as hard as I previously expected.

  • Laser cutter
  • product showcase in Fab Lab

During the training session in Fab Lab, we were separated into two groups. The group I went with learned how to use Inkspace to design for laser cutting of the surface. This activity prompts us to design a watch face for a motion detector watch. The instructors led us through the basic process of using Inkspace to draw out the watch face step by step. Afterward, we were prompted to design the watch ourselves for our selected specific user. When I design the watch face, I decided to design the watch for elders. Elders have the ability to read words, but they may not see it very clearly. Therefore, I decided to use an image for curl arm movement. When I wanted to find an image for the twisting, I felt that the images I found were kind of confusing, so I decided to use large bolded words TWIST instead of an image.

Watch face I designed

During this activity, I realized that when we need to design a product, we need to consider how different user groups will have different requirements or needs for the product. It is really important to consider their need in order to design a product that can be useful for these user groups. This is also something we need to take in consideration when we are designing our product for this project.

Ideation Phase

In the latter part of the course, we went back to working on our group project. In this week’s class, we move forward from our inspiration phase to the ideation phase. We brainstormed the different possible solutions for different user groups. In this case, we were able to consider what we might do differently for different users. We diverged first when we are trying to brainstorm the different solutions, but at the end, we converged to a few solutions that we believe are possible to work on due to the time-constraint, functional requirements and the affordability constraint. As a result, we came up with two solutions to work our initial prototype on. I am excited to continue with the project and see how our ideas come to actual product that fits our target users’ needs.

  • Ideation Phase
  • Brainstormed solutions
  • Final two solutions for prototyping
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Fab Lab: Fabulous Resources for Fabulous Ideas

Exterior of Fab Lab located in Urbana, IL

This was our first of the next three weeks that we will be spending at Fab Lab to learn about various resources that are available to us. Although I have heard of Fab Lab before, I was not aware of what it contains. In fact, I didn’t even know where it was located, so I was very surprised when I found out where it was. It was a small, old-looking building that I passed by daily to get to my classes from the dorm that I used to live in during my freshman year. I always wondered what it was and even peered into it through the windows once, but I never figured out what it was. Walking into it, I was wondering how this place could contain all the high-tech gadgets that the professor was talking about.

As soon as I walked through the doors, I had my eyebrows raised. It was not at all what I imagined the place to be.

  • One side of the wall at Fab Lab displaying different products that are made there
  • Example of a machine that is available at Fab Lab for use
Examples of various products that can be made at Fab Lab

Inside the building was an open space filled with computers, machines, and various types of products that were made at the lab. I felt like a kid who just walked into a candy store, trying to absorb all the different things that I see. From electric cutters, 3D printers, to embroidery machines, there seemed to be endless lines of resources available. Although I was excited to see so many resources, I was also worried about how I could possibly learn to use them for the project.

  • Examples of laser engraved products from Fab Lab
  • 3D printers available at Fab Lab
  • Map of the Fab Lab

After taking a tour throughout the building, the class was divided into two groups to get hands-on learning on a couple of resources available at the lab. This week, I got to participate in an Inkscape workshop. Inkscape is an open-source vector graphics editor, which can be used to create or edit vector graphics. During the workshop, we got to design a watch face of a motion-detecting watch, which could detect whether the user was performing the bicep curls or wrist twist motions correctly. We were to think of a specific user group and create a design based on it so that the user can use the watch correctly. Although the task seemed simple, it was challenging to come up with a simple, yet effective design. This exercise made me realize how much of a challenge we have ahead of us in trying to design a product that could help the power wheelchair users with preventing the rain from getting into the joystick.

After the workshop, we were grouped into our own teams and got time to brainstorm various prototypes for the team products. The point of this session was to keep the options limitless, even thinking of things that are impossible for us to achieve. For example, while we were brainstorming about what can protect the power wheelchair from rain, we came up with instant heating that dries the moisture, force field, and strong wind blower that can push the water droplets away. Although we understand that these options are not viable, by not limiting ourselves, we were able to come up with more creative ideas that can potentially lead into more feasible ones.

Sketches of various ideas we brainstormed during the session to prevent rain from getting to the joystick of a power wheelchair

In the end, we had to select a couple of designs that were more feasible, easier to implement, and most effective, which we decided were bags to put over the joystick and a mold that can be put over the part. For our next assignment, we will be coming up with a 3D prototype of these ideas. Although the exercises that we performed throughout the week demonstrated lots of challenge ahead of us, I am excited to use the available resources to take our ideas further.

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Week 5

This week we were introduced to four guest speakers: Sneha Subramanian from the Illini service dogs, John Hornick author of “ 3D Printing Will Rock the World”, Jeff Ginger from the CU Community Fab lab, and the Illinois Informatics Institute. We began with a brainstorming session with the Illini Service Dogs. We specially were looking at areas of opportunity with improving disabled users independence with service dogs. Ideas bounced around and some really interesting things came from this. After the brainstorming session John Hornick brought so much of the 3D printing industry to our attention. There are so many trends out there, but John emphasised 3 main trends. One of which is that 3D printing spurs innovation, it also increases democratization. Lastly 3D printing is full customizable. I personally really enjoyed all the different innovative projects globally that John mentioned to us.

Jeff from CU community Fab lab gave a very energetic and passionate overview of the lab itself. He told us of all the resources and network we have here on campus. He then went into showing some of his personal projects, all produced at the CU Fablab. He designed this really cool solar power laptop case that charged his laptop. He also created this octopus dongle sort of thing that has every plug in port you could think of. Jeff seems to really be passionate about innovation and I though his overall presentation was inspirational.

After the guest presentation we were given on from our TA Mehmet Aydin on Design Thinking. During his presentation he introduced us to the Design Thinking Modules. You have Inspiration- Ideation- Implementation model. You then have Empathy- Define ( we focus on defining the opportunity from an empathetic standpoint. Then you have Prototype- Test phase. Mehmet also mentioned the idea of diverging, converging and repeating the entire process. You have to just do it. It kind of ties back to last weak guest Mike Henson statement of, “ Fail early, fail often.” The design process is a process of decision making and doing things. You have to ideated on an idea and act on it. Fail and fail and through each failure new innovation ill emerge.

Once Mehmet’s presentation  we broke off into our teams to do a “Stories & Experience” exercise. The task of the exercise was for us to look at our interview Q/A and diverge deeper insight from them.We were able to really figure out our users frustrations, emotions, limitations, pretty much the good and bad. Solicestice in particular, was able implement the experiences of the user to create more value with our potential product. It gave us a framework to further structure of customer discovery and validation of the idea itself.



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Week 5 Reflection

This week was a little different for me–due to unfortunate circumstances, I could not be present in class. Furthermore, I could not look at screens all week, so I had very limited communication with my team members. Due to this, my reflection on this week will be centered around my team’s progress in our research.

My team interviewed our mentor, Jenna, this week. As a reminder, our project is focused on creating a shoe tread to facilitate walking on ice and snow for prosthetic users. Some key takeaways from the interview are:

  1. It is important that the tread is light and easy to attach and detach.
  2. The height added from the tread should be as minimal as possible.
  3. The first prototype should fit to gym shoes, since those tend to be the most comfortable shoes.

In addition to interviewing Jenna, I have conducted some more secondary research. I wanted to start learning more about specific materials and designs for our shoe tread. I came across an article that describes the benefits of winter car tires over all-season tires. From the article, I learned that the rubber material is more important than the tread design. Winter tires are made of a rubber compound that remains soft and flexible in low temperatures, which increases traction. Thus, we need to take this into consideration when choosing a material to create the tread with.

Another article I found shares the best gear for walking in snow and on ice. The article showed a variety of tread materials and designs; some were made of rubber, some of stainless steal and some had sharp spikes while others had small cleats. We will need to decide on tread design and material(s) that are lightweight and create good traction on snow and ice. Lastly, through my secondary research, I also found that it is important that the tread can easily fit into a purse or pocket. This way, anyone can use the tread no matter where they are going.