Blog Contents
In support of the Arduino blog, this section consists of the research and design aspects of the interactive project. Firstly, providing key information from the report in order to outline the specifications directing the design. Then leading onto the users, their experience and possible concept solutions to their problems surrounding concussions.
Report Findings (Background & Opportunities)
The purpose of the report was to identify a latent need for users suffering from a concussion. Throughout the research conducted and analysed, we found that there were many areas of opportunity:
· Effective testing of cognitive skills to diagnose the public (Lack of knowledge)
· Targeting the self-care section of concussions (Market saturation for prevention)
· Targeting rehabilitation (Physical & mental / Conscious & unconscious)
· Targeting Various ways of treatment (Lack of severity understanding)
· Large contributor to the recovery process depends on the user’s quality of rest (Avoiding mental strain)
Focus (Medical Topic & User)
I have decided to focus on treating and assisting a user during the recovery process after a concussion. The research and UX map, provided a clear indication of the market gap and possible user benefits that could be exploited. Below is a younger user at a social event (night out), who has been unexpectedly impacted to the head causing a concussion. The provided UX map breaks down the situation and allows problems to be outlined.
Problems
The problems outlined in the UX map display that the user currently has no way of understanding their state which leads towards over thinking impacting their health. Providing the user with knowledge about their state and allowing self-care design considerations would significantly increase the post-experience.
· Impossible for the bed to be the ideal sleeping temperature & visually interpret the conditions by the user
· Movement releases trapped heat in cold conditions
· Impossible to user state / identify if rapid eye movement (REM) sleep was interrupted
· Impossible to control sleeping temperature conditions
Brainstorming (Concept Ideas)
Project Introduction - Post-Concussion Treatment
The Interactive Product Design i am creating is a stand-alone medical device for personal use (bedroom) in conjunction with AMA Medical Products Australia. Monitoring your night’s rest & adjusting the environmental conditions accordingly. Preventing possible irritations and emergency situations that could impact the quality of recovery. Allows users to effortlessly influence their disruptive habits & behaviors through unconscious peripheral interactions. To provoke the user’s engagement with their health; in a scenario where lack of knowledge can lead to potentially severe consequences. The new medical device will help people increase awareness, control, and engagement with their state of health post-concussion.
The main functionality is supported by peripheral, gestural and tangible interactions from the user during their sleep. Interactive (or conscious) devices such as mobile phones, play an important but often needlessly obtrusive role in everyday life. When interacting with these devices, people are often completely distracted from their other activities. However, by implementing a "peripheral interaction”, users can interact with devices without focused attention. The aim of this is to lead to a device which can be used effortlessly, as a seamless part of our everyday routines. Currently there are an abundance of obtrusive devices around the bedroom distracting the user from quality rest. The term I found quite often was honest signals, because such actions are involuntary behaviours that often convey emotion, whereas body language can be controlled. The desire is to create a product that interprets the user’s unconscious actions while sleeping and responds accordingly, improving their recovery process.
Concept Development (Iterations)
Correlating Research
· During REM sleep, our ability to regulate body temperature is impaired;
Massimini, M., Ferrarelli, F., Murphy, M.J., Huber, R., Riedner, B.A., Casarotto, S. and Tononi, G., 2010. Cortical reactivity and effective connectivity during REM sleep in humans. Cognitive neuroscience
· Blankets are often rearranged during the night (off and away from the user), while the pillow stays with their head;
Buboltz Jr, W.C., Brown, F. and Soper, B., 2001. Sleep habits and patterns of college students: a preliminary study. Journal of American college health
Initial Concept - Pillow Device
The initial concept is of a pillow device that supports three main functions:
Track – Help users track the severity of the concussion (Sensor monitoring - Temp & Movement)
Support – Confidence through the recovery process / Increases knowledge of the situation and adjusts their environment supporting a well rested nights sleep / Notifies user in emergency (Temperature Adjusting)
Remote Interaction - An (mobile) Application that the user can access information or pass on to professional assistance / Notifies carer/observer in an emergency
Initial Concept CAD (Development & Renders)
Issues - Initial Concept
· The product provides overlapping features that could be refined
· The placing of hardware next to users heads for prolonged periods of time, could be harmful
· Multiple outputs (sound & movement), for waking a user in an emergency may be intrusive and cause panic
· A complete pillow may be difficult to store away when not in use, while an attachment could be significantly smaller
· In majority of situations the user needs to be cooled down instead of warmed up - potentially an unnecessary feature
Value Proposition & Ecosystem
Concept Redesigns (Fixing Issues)
Models Of Concepts
Concept Freeze - Pillow Case Device
Ergonomics & Anthropocentric
The ergonomics take into consideration multiple areas of the user’s upper shoulders and head to cater for everyone. The product needed to be able to adjust to the user’s custom pillows and fold to an extent that it provides all the benefits needed without compromise, yet all the users stand comforts.
Head Ergonomics: Length - Largest Male: 214mm / Width - Larget Male: 169mm
Top of Back to Head: (18 years) Height - Smallest Female: 38mm
Shoulders to Neck:Width - Largest Male: 152mm
Depth of Skull: Larget Male: 44mm
Top of Back to Head: (18 years) Height - Smallest Female: 38mm
Shoulders to Neck:Width - Largest Male: 152mm
Depth of Skull: Larget Male: 44mm
Sequence Of Use
Concept Review
Refining the initial concept to simplify the three main functions to prevent possible issues (overlapping features & user/hardware impact). The below illustrations and research provides insight towards design solutions:
· Minimal research can be linked directly to technology causing users problems if placed within 6 inches of their body;
https://sites.psu.edu/siowfa16/2016/11/06/is-it-safe-to-put-your-phone-near-your-head-when-you-are-sleeping/
· If users are externally woken, the problem most frequently reported was waking up in the morning feeling drowsy or tired, followed by waking up in the middle of the night, difficulty going back to sleep after waking up and difficulty
falling asleep initially (refine concepts emergency waking feature);
Ancoli-Israel, S. and Roth, T., 1999. Characteristics of insomnia in the United States: results of the 1991 National Sleep Foundation Survey.
User Profile - ‘Tech-Aware’
The product is aimed at users whom utilise technology every day in their peripheral interactions to improve their
health goals or general daily processes. The product specifically caters for all the aspects listed throughout this
applied research.
health goals or general daily processes. The product specifically caters for all the aspects listed throughout this
applied research.
Sustainability
Design Considerations For Custom Parts
Visco-Elastic Polyurethane Foam
Federal standards on the flammability of mattresses (16 CFR Part 1633, Standard for the Flammability (Open Flame) of Mattress Sets; Final Rule) require memory foam mattresses to be made resistant to flame which is achieved through the addition of flame retardant chemicals. Ideal for a heating pad to be used with one another.
Natural Rubber
Natural rubber, consists of polymers of the organic compound isoprene, with minor impurities of other organic compounds, plus water. Malaysia and Indonesia are two of the leading rubber producers. Forms of polyisoprene that are used as natural rubbers are classified as elastomers.
Bamboo Fabric
Strong and durable; bamboo grows fast, requiring few farming inputs and no pesticides. When compared to other fibers such as cotton, it is far more sustainable. This type of material is cheap yet still displays qualities
Visco-Elastic Polyurethane Foam
Federal standards on the flammability of mattresses (16 CFR Part 1633, Standard for the Flammability (Open Flame) of Mattress Sets; Final Rule) require memory foam mattresses to be made resistant to flame which is achieved through the addition of flame retardant chemicals. Ideal for a heating pad to be used with one another.
Natural Rubber
Natural rubber, consists of polymers of the organic compound isoprene, with minor impurities of other organic compounds, plus water. Malaysia and Indonesia are two of the leading rubber producers. Forms of polyisoprene that are used as natural rubbers are classified as elastomers.
Bamboo Fabric
Strong and durable; bamboo grows fast, requiring few farming inputs and no pesticides. When compared to other fibers such as cotton, it is far more sustainable. This type of material is cheap yet still displays qualities
Model Of Chosen Concept
Updated Experience Mapping
Solidworks Development
Manufacturing
The manufacturing processes involved with the product are very limited due to most of the interaction comes from the hardware. The foam and rubber is pressed to become moulded and stronger than regular. Added fabric is cut and stitched together. These elements are assembled by adhesives and stitches to hold together firmly. Manufactures have been sourced below to construct the bill of materials.
Product Materials
The materials selected allow for the product to be sustainable due to its recyclable materials. Allowing for cheap materials and soft materials allows for the deconstruction process once the products novelty and purpose has been served. This allows for future iterations to be easily up-gradable or reused elsewhere. The materials provide comfort with the ability to adjust around the user and pillow providing comfort to all shapes and sizes.
The materials selected allow for the product to be sustainable due to its recyclable materials. Allowing for cheap materials and soft materials allows for the deconstruction process once the products novelty and purpose has been served. This allows for future iterations to be easily up-gradable or reused elsewhere. The materials provide comfort with the ability to adjust around the user and pillow providing comfort to all shapes and sizes.
Fabric / Bedding:
Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 1957:1998
Textiles - Care labelling. AS/NZS 1957:1998
Pillow ‘standards’’ reffer to the textiles utilized inside the pillow. Due to minimal efforts in integrating devices into pillows, standards are highly generic.
Renderings
Final Presentation Boards
Final (2min) Fiction Video
