Project: New Designs, Specifications, and Deadlines

After realizing that the first prototype would not be a successful creation for daily use by the wheelchair riders, we decided to throw the idea out the window and go for a simpler idea. our original carrying idea- the pouch/box storage that would come on to a wheelchair like a bookbag. We set out to find new materials for the new prototype. Using foam, hot glue guns, rulers, cardboard cutters, fabric for straps, we made the design and prototype for out new product.

This new product was a response to the needs of the rider to be able to carry their own oars but it also addressed the issues of moveability and proximity to center of mass of wheelchair that the old product presented. 

As soon as we have real oars, we can test the prototype to see if there any faults we need to address but for now, the project is looking solid. 

1. Project Description: A device to help wheelchair riders independently transport their oars to and from the boathouse and docks.

2. Design Specifications: Specific, measurable, one aspect, does not dictate design--

Our design is a 75*18*10 cm container that will hold oars that are about 6 cm in diameter each. The container will have two backpack straps attached to it on one side that will be able to hang around any wheelchair or person for easy mobility, transport, and accommodation to many wheelchairs.  The straps would be 11.5 cm below the start of the container. Design has to allow for a wheelchair rider to easily and effectively place oars behind her back.

3. Materials:

• Backpack straps
• Velcro (or some mechanism to adjust straps, tbd)
• Plastic

4. Interfaces/Parts:

• Container for the oars
• Straps
• Velcro to adjust straps

5. Testing Plan:

After creating the product, we would like to attach it to the wheelchair, henceforth one of us would sit on the wheelchair and try to obtain each oar and place it into the container. We would try to limit our movement to imitate someone with physical constraints. After the product is deemed ready for further testing, we will ask wheelchair riders to test the container themselves.

6. Schedule:

3/4 - Concept generation  

3/13 - 3D model & plan for prototype

3/6-3/18 - Order materials and obtain oar to fully come up with specified measurements.

4/1 - Have our materials ready and start making functional prototype.

4/3 - Initial prototype design review

4/8 - Make enhancements to prototype

4/10 - Final prototype testing by us and finish work on final details

4/15 - Prototype testing at CRI

4/17 - Feedback reception

4/22 - Work with feedback to alter/improve prototype

4/24 - Finish final project

5/1 - Project deliver

Project: Creating First Prototype

The first step was brainstorming ideas for the issues faced by athletes in CRI. The next step was choosing an idea and carrying it out. Stephanie and I were assigned with oar carrying and right away We decided to follow through with our idea of the of the arms that swing and hold the oars in place. It seemed like the most functional, accessible, and efficient way for the wheelchair riders to carry the oars from storage to the docks and vice versa. We made our vision come to life with the first flap prototype using cardboard boxes and cardboard rolls.

However, after making our product, we slowly recognized all the problems associated with it. First, our prototype was made of cardboard, so it was easy to rotate flaps from front to back. But what could we use in real life that would be sturdy enough to hold on to the wheelchair and oar but flexible enough to move around? Second, we had to rethink and elongate measurements to make the flap reach far enough to go behind the chair. But, if it is too long, it becomes to hard for the rider to easily take the oar and attach in the front because they would need to extend themselves more and we are not sure how much their body would allow them to do that. The final problem is that creating and elongating these flaps would take away from the center of mass- the person- which means there would be an imbalance of weight around the wheelchair. This could lead to a lot of complications and falling when going up and down ramps or unsteady surfaces. The idea created more problems than it solved, so we would either have to come up with a new product for oar carrying or drastically improve this one.

Rob Wood's Talk on Robotic Insects

        Rob Wood's lecture focused on the creation of robotic insects and he started off by taking the simple flight of the bee or in this case, the fly, and asking many questions on the biological and physical mechanics that give the insect the ability to fly. He discussed moderate strain, large force, high efficiency, high bandwith, Piezo electric cantilevers, body torque, and other aspects of the robotic insect and the process that goes into making it. Most of those terms were unfamiliar to me and flew over my head. However, the inspiration for the assembly process interested me the most. The flying insect is created through mechanisms similar to that of a pop-up book. Everything is assembled and folded in one place. With one command, all the small pieces are put together perfectly and symmetrically.

DET Chapter 6

Norman pointed out that the good design evolves and “the design is tested, problem areas are discovered and modified, and then it is continually retested and remodified until time, energy, and resources run out.” (142)  He explains that designers work to improve the products created so the experience the user has with the product is better or at least different.  Later on, he says once the product is satisfactory, to change it would be unnecessary. After reading this chapter, I realized if I go into product creating, I would always look for ways to improve a product or how something is done but I also have to learn the limit. I would have to figure out when it stops being worth changing. To create innovations that are unnecessary for the public, even if they are more efficient (like the Dvorak keyboard Norman discussed), would be unwise. The innovation created must be worth the effort to adjust to change and in some cases, it will not be worth the effort.

When creating a product, Norman points out people tend to prioritize one aspect of the products they make while downgrading the rest. Some people place aesthetics over usability and cost/ease of manufacture. Others place usability first (something I would probably do) and some place the best cost/ease of manufacture as their priority.  It is important to keep in mind, when we are creating the products for the athletes at CRI, all factors must be treated as equally important.

Finally, another important topic he brings up is projecting our own ideas and our place in the design making and product using process. He says, “We tend to project our own rationalizations and beliefs onto the actions and beliefs of others.” (155) This concept is extremely important to remember because as a group of able-bodied designers who are creating products for athletes whose bodies do not work completely like ours do, we have to really ask and consider what they need. We do not know best but hopefully we can learn to the best of our capabilities. There is a difference in being an expert on the device and an expert on the task. Obviously, when we create the device we become an expert on how it works but it is important to see if the task of the device is carried out the way the user wants it, not how we imagined it to be.  

Interesting Adaptive Technologies

1. Blade Runners

(http://www.standard.co.uk/olympics/olympic-news/running-on-blades-the-role-of-technology-in-paralympics-8104167.html )

These blades were created for running and sprinting for for those without the bottom of their leg and their feet. No two blades were ever the same because they are designed specifically for people of different heights. "Made from 80 layers of carbon fibre, each thinner than a human hair, today’s blades store kinetic energy from the wearer’s steps as potential energy, like a spring, allowing the wearer to run and jump." It is even used by athletes in races.

2.  Racing Wheelchair

(http://www.sportaid.com/invacare-top-end-eliminator-osr-standard.html?gclid=CISb1qLliMQCFdAF7AodvBUABw)

This wheelchair has stability, stiffness, cornering traction,adjustable handlebar bar-ends to ensure that the rider can go at maximum speed and still stay stable. Products like these can empower people to know that they can still participate in rigorous competition without how their body is difference from those who are fully able-bodied becoming an impediment.

3.  Mono Ski

These adaptive skis make it possible for those who want to enjoy the rush of the zooming through the mountains. It is simple in creation and innovation but very helpful. It is described as a nordic ski sit with a quick attach and comes with frames that are custom built for people of all sizes and disabilities. 

(http://www.tetonsitski.com/index_files/SitSkiPage.html)

CRI Questions Part 2

As Stephanie and I were trying address the issues faced by the athletes with the adaptive rowing technologies, we stumbled upon some inquiries that were left unanswered from our first visit.

For the expert

1. What is the system of storage and organization at the moment?
2. How are the oars placed into the old design of the oar carrier and how are they placed with the rider now?
3. Can we go over the attachment process of the one handle erg?

For the rower

1. What difficulties do you face when trying to access the materials for rowing? Can you demonstrate for us?
2. What method do you use to carry the ergs now?
3. In the process of getting the oars and getting onto the the docks, when do you need assistance from someone else?

3 ideas

On a beautiful winter morning, Stephanie and I sat down to discuss our goals and desires in regards to the issues faced by the adaptive rowing community that  we would like to tackle.

The first issue we wanted to tackle was the mechanisms used to carry the oars. We started off by brainstorming ways that we could make to easier to hold the oars for wheelchair riders as they are making their way from storage to the docks.

Our Ideas:

Key

                         i.      Pouch/Crutch Carrier

                         ii.      Attachment for standing oars

                         iii.      Attachment on arm rest

                         iv.      Swinging side attachment

                 

                              

To evaluate which creation we would most like to make carrying oars easier and a more independent activity, we made a pugh chart.

The next issue we could see ourselves tackling is the one with oar storage and accessibility.

Our Ideas:

Key

                                                            i.      Diagonal Storage

                                                           ii.      Oar Popper 2.0

                                                          iii.      Oar Bookshelf

                                                          iv.      Revolving Oar Holder

                                       v.      Storage-to-wheelchair back attachment 

To evaluate which creation we would most like to make oar storage and accessibility easy, we made a pugh chart.  

The last issue we thought we might want to work with is attaching the single-hand erg.

Our Ideas
Key

      i.      Two to One Erg Handle

                                                ii.      Bar + Bolt (Similar to pantoon attachment)

                                               iii.      Magnets and Strap Attachment

To evaluate which creation we would most like to make single-hand ergs easier to attach, we made a pugh chart.

CRI First Visit

      As the title suggests, we took our first trip to meet the people who work and participate in the CRI program. While there, I learned two very important things.

1.  There were three different groupings mentioned in terms of creating and using equipment for people who are have disabled. There is equipment made for leg, trunks, and arm. There is equipment for trunk and arms usage. And the last one is the spinal and arm usage. The community tries to fit the needs of all the people who come in but I forgot to ask what people who are impaired in hearing do when directions are being shouted out to athletes.

2. The goal of the program is to give a means to be as independent as possible. One challenge to their independence is set up which requires the help of an able-bodied person. Another challenge is that means of access and storage are extremely difficult to work through by yourself and needing the help of others takes away from your independence.

The young woman who showed us around explained and demonstrated a lot of setbacks that they are facing; some issues are easy to fix (like covering hard seating with duck tape and foam) and others were almost uncontrollable (like the movement of the water. Our role is to create or improve upon the products that will give the athletes the most independence with the best safety and of course ensuring the most fun.

Community Rowing Questions

For Rower

• What brought you to rowing/CRI?
• What is your favorite thing about the rowing community?
• What is the difference between erging and rowing?
• Do you prefer individual or group rowing?
• If you do group rowing, how is it organized for people of different disabilities?
• What is the easiest part of the getting into water? The hardest part? Why?
• How long have you been rowing?
• If for more than a year:How has the technology related to rowing changed since you began rowing?
• Are you using anything to help you row? If so, what is it and how does it help?
• What was your most interesting experience you faced while in the water? What was the scariest?

For Expert

• What is the history  of CRI? When did they start?
• How do you help deaf people with directions when rowing?
• What is the greatest hurdle during the learning?

Milk Frother Disassembly

As a person who has broken many things in her lifetime, I know the consequences are never good. I went from breaking plates to toys and in school, I had to be very meticulous in classes involving lab because breaking apart of any sort would "ruin my life." However in today's class, we were told to let go of all guilt that came with the breaking of items and break open and disassemble a milk frother (if you don't know what it is, don't worry we were on the same boat. )

This is the $2.49 milk frother from Ikea.

The function of the milk frother is to spin its circular end to shake the milk and make it bubbly (or in other words-froth). 

Milk Frother in action 

Aerial view of result

Result: The milk came out beautifully and frothy in a matter of seconds.

The strengths of the product was that it only took a few seconds to complete its job. It was simple, light in weight, and didn't need to come with an instruction manual. It was also extremely cheap, $2.50, so if it ever broke, it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. A weakness was that it almost resembled a toy which could actually break any second if it fell or was thrown. 

Although I had never used a frother before, I think this one worked really well because it only took a few seconds to make the milk frothy and it stayed frothed for about an hour. The affordances of the frother were that anyone could easily lift it, it could stand by itself and the user could use it to froth any milk (even chocolate, yum!). The signifiers and mapping were on point. You knew the switch would make it spin on and off. The batteries also showed how to open and which way to place them. The feedback was the spinning of the rod and vibrating noises made when the frother was turned on.

                                             

After making chocolate milk and frothing it (sorry, no picture evidence because result was consumed right away), we began the disassembly process. Some grunt work and pliers were necessary but the frother was broken down into its pieces to make this masterpiece.

Since the item costs $2.50, the price of all the items could not have cost more than $.50 and when I estimated all the costs of the parts, it came out to be $.46 which is a reasonable estimate. 

Before disassembling the frother, I thought it would be a very intricate machine with a million circuits inside but it turns out that it can be simple if you take the time to take apart an item and see the work that goes into making it. 

There were two higher end devices that were heavier, sturdier, more powerful, and faster than the Ikea one. However, they were a lot more expensive. I would go for the Ikea frother because it works really well and since I do not see myself ever really needing it, I would not spend extra money for it.

Nametag

Our first creation of the semester was something as fun and simple as a nametag. We paired ourselves into groups and our partner became our customer. The objective was to learn as much as you could about the your partner (in 10 minutes) and the aesthetics your partner would like on their nametag. The task seemed simple enough- some guidelines were that they had to be made by 40% conventional materials (paper, glitter, ribbons, etc.) and 60% unconventional materials (items not usually found to create the nametag) and had to be . My "customer" was Stephanie who was fun and bubbly to talk to. She specified her name (obviously), year, academic interests, favorite show, favorite movie, and favorite book (which I found out when I was telling her about my favorite book!!!-twinsies). She also told me she loved pink, gold/yellow, and red. With that information, I set off to create her nametag.

In the process of making this first nametag, I tried thinking of a design and then creating it. However, turns out either a) I don't work well under pressure or b) it's hard to plan when you aren't familiar with the resources available to you (aka the unconventional resources).

Well anyways, this was my first nametag for Stephanie.

Honestly, I think I just made a pretty conventional nametag and then added the (washer and straight shaped)magnets in the middle and back, the white connector in the back, and the electric board at the bottom. The nametag could have been just fine without these "unconventional" materials. I was not incorporating them into the design, they were just extras attached. 

Stephanie's feedback was very encouraging and her constructive critique was that the nametag should be more attention grabbing. Using only three colors (black, red, and gold) was a little plain and I realized that I was projecting aesthetics that were more mine than hers. I even avoided pink even though it was one of her favorite colors. Stephanie later texted me saying "I like nice designs and things that are strange and interesting and sometimes all over the place." And I knew, I could be more creative than what I did with the first nametag. 

So, I went to the lab a few days later and collected all the materials I thought were attention grabbing and decided to work from there. 

The bead heart above the "i" fell off right before I took the picture...

This nametag was definitely more attention grabbing and incorporated unconventional materials into its design than the first one. It was also a lot more fun to make. 

DET CH.1

Don Norman’s The Design of Everyday Things showed the factors and fundamental principles that should go into making products that are easily usable and understandable to the people attaining the products. The first chapter emphasizes that when product fails to be fully functional and understandable to the user, it is not the fault of the user. Rather it is the fault of the designer who did not take the effort to consider how others may be affected by the product. Recently, a friend of mine was telling her sister how dumb she was for pushing a door meant to be pulled and I remembered the countless times I fell into the same situation but never thought much of it. Norman goes on to explaining in the book that these incidences are an indicator for a problem with the design of a product. He uses simple everyday occurrences, products, and behaviors to show a familiar pattern of interactions between people and machines to explain their place in our lives. He delves deeper into what problems can arise when a user is interacting with a product. He also looks into the thought processes and natural behaviors of the engineer, designer, and user when interacting with the created or creation of a product.

Norman’s book is an interesting read because it introduces new terminology, like human-centered design, affordances, signifiers, constraints, mappings, feedback, and conceptual modelling, to introduce principles and aspects of the human-machine interactions. However, his work is easy to follow because he will either introduce a term and give its definition and then use a series of relatable examples to drive his point home. He also does the opposite where he brings up the examples that many people can relate to when thinking about their interaction with everyday products and then shows how the new term can be applied to their and his own situations. For example, he compares the backseat driver to a machine that gives too much feedback. While both give mostly accurate information, they are too overwhelming and distracting to actually be helpful. (pg. 24)

Many of the terms used by Norman have very similar purposes but he puts emphasis on their differences to show their role in the design of a product.

A simple product that can be explained well by Norman’s book is a pen. It “affords” writing, drawing, lifting, moving around and bookmarking in a text and its anti-affordance is that the writing from a pen cannot be erased like the writing from a pencil with an eraser at the tip. Both affordance and anti-affordance are perceivable. The signifier on my specific pen would be the bottom at the tip that you can push to let the writing tip out. Other pens could have caps instead and they would signify that the cap has to be taken off to use the pen. Although you cannot see the complete inside of the pen, you can see the coil inside and with conceptual modeling and mapping, you understand that with the help of the coil, the writing tip can go in or out when the other tipped is pushed down upon.

What intrigued me about the pen was the movement of the ink from inside the pen to the writing on a page. I understand that the ball point pen has a small ball that rolls at the tip to get the ink from the inside to the outside. However, how do other pins without the ball tip transport the ink out and is there more to the model of pen than one can see? Most pens come in cylinder or hexagonal cylinder shape and I wonder why and how that came to be the norm for pens. We can understand the mapping and movement of the pen tip but sometimes, pens "explode" and the ink splotches everywhere and I have yet to know how and why that happens. 

First Post

Hello all! My name is Atiya (Fariha) Khan and welcome to the beginning of my journey through the world of product creation. I am a first year student at Wellesley College and my favorite subject  has always been history. Hence, I am entering in as a History major but I'm not fully decided on my major or future yet. 

In my exploration to find what interests me, this class was suggested to me by my roommate and the concept of the class was really unique to me. I never considered engineering as a career path because my experiences with math and science were horrible in high school and I was never exposed to the work of engineers in a classroom setting. However, I want to see if my experience in this class will change all that. I think I learning how products are designed, made, and disassembled is a grand opportunity, one that I did not want to waste. What makes it even better is that its goals include teaching how to apply the skills learned in class to work or help nonprofit organizations. I hope to learn about the techniques used by designers and engineers to create products that help the masses. Maybe, this class will encourage me to pursue engineering but if I find that this path won't suit me, I'll be equally happy to learn everything I can from this class. 

Something interesting about me (well, at least I like to think so) was that I played the nervous, comic relief Mr. Smee (Captain Hook's right-hand mate) in my middle school's production of Peter Pan and got to do a duet with our Peter Pan singing "Never Smile at a Crocodile."