My project takes the idea of a tool belt and essentially minimizes it to fit onto an arm. The vambrace is made to fit on either your left or right arm, and the cushioning on the inside gives it the room to fit onto different sizes of arms as well. On the side is a retractable tape measure that can be pulled out with one arm. On the top at the back of the vambrace, there is a small strap over a compartment that can easily and firmly hold screws, batteries, or bolts so they can easily be accessed. And around the sides of the vambrace are elastic straps of different sizes so a variety of small hand tools can be secured onto the arm and easily pulled out by the user. There is also a flashlight on top that can turn on and be used wherever the user's arm is, that way they can have both arms free to work with one arm not holding the flashlight, and your dad won't have to yell at you for not holding the flashlight right.
Forms of Prototyping Used: 3D Printing, Sewing, Vinyl Cutting
User Testing Summary:
I had my users (Dad, Mom, Sister, and Neighbor) put on the vambrace without telling them what it was initially. All four were able to easily figure out that it was supposed to be worn on an arm. After they figured that out, I explained to them basically what the prototype was and had them do a few tasks (write their name on a paper, walk around normally, pick up bag/backpack with the arm on the arm brace, take out and put in tools to the vambrace, and use the flashlight and tape measure). Generally, they were able to walk around and pick up objects comfortably with the vambrace without it slipping or falling off (one noticeable difference was that the vambrace fit a lot tighter on my Dad's arm than the other users). Writing their names was awkward for some, but not completely strange or undoable. They were all able to fairly easily remove and put tools into the vambrace except for one larger screw driver, which was a bit larger for the elastic it was suppose to fit into. The tap measure was easy and comfortable to everyone to use, and the flashlight was a little tougher because every user thought it felt a little awkward to turn on and off with its back button using their free arm. Other notes from testers was the limited size/comfortability for different sized arms, limit to the types/sizes of tools that can be used, and the overall weight distribution of the vambrace once tools were on it.
Improvements To Be Made:
Creating an overall larger size with more padding could potentially solve the sizing issue for larger users. A larger size could also accommodate larger, more commonly used tools. Balancing out the weight with tools would also create more comfort for users. Changing the flashlight to have a switch or button on the top/side would also make it easier to use.
