PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
Awergo is an IoT device designed for the visually impaired with the aim to help with navigation, spatial orientation and perception of outer world in an easily integrable way into their lives and without being remarkable for others.
Client: Medion
Duration: 6 + 4 weeks
Team: 2 Designers + Solo Project
My role: Product Designer - Research, Product development, 3D modelling & prototyping, Usability testing, Branding
Tools: Adobe Suits, SolidWorks, KeyShot, 3D printing
CASE STUDY OVERVIEW
Brief
This project was created during the MOME Product Design course in collaboration with Medion, where we were working on different Internet of Things (IoT) solutions.
The brief was fairly free to interpret. The starting point was a quote by Paul Graham: "Make something people want." The only given requirement was to design an IoT device or system.
Problem Statement
During the design process we sought answers to the following questions:
How might we help visually impaired citizens in Budapest to move around, navigate and perceive the external world easily?
How might we create awareness for blindness among not affected citizens?
How might we design an IoT system which can be integrated into the urban landscape and attached to already existing elements of urban environment?
Outcomes
The AWERGO project consisted of two phases. During the first one I teamed up with another designer. We have identified a problem area which could be solved by an IoT system. Then we designed the first proposals for the devices which are intended to help the navigation of visually impaired people.
In the second phase I continued the project alone and after a re-design of the first proposal I made 3D printed prototypes.
RESEARCH
Identifying the problem area
We started the project with the finding a problem area, since the brief (see Overview section above) did not cover any specific topic within the world of Internet of Things (IoT). First, we became familiar with the term IoT and created a mindmap to visualize possible problems to be solved.
Figure 1: Operation of an IoT system
The definition of IoT is the following: “a computing concept that describes the idea of everyday physical objects being connected to the internet and being able to identify themselves to other devices.”
Figure 2: Finding our topic with the help of a mindmap
During this session we found that our aim with this project is to create an IoT solution for visually impaired citizens of Budapest.
Benchmarking
To find a niche, we researched what kind of smart products are already available on the market for visually impaired users. Based on our benchmarking analysis, we found that there is no navigation system that operates with a technology that provides a signal that is more accurate than GPS.
Figure 3: Smart products for the visually impaired on the market
Field research
In order to empathize with visually impaired citizens we went on field research. This method proved to be a very useful because it really allowed us to get closer to the issues of our prospective users.
About the settings
We decided on guiding each other blind-folded on two similar, pre-selected routes. During this session we have experienced both roles, what is it feel like to be a blind person and a guide. Various situations were tried: like crossing the road, using steps, navigating around obstacles, using the tram and describing the surroundings relying on our other senses.
What have we learnt from the Field research?
In a guide role:
It was very difficult to control and effectively help the blind-folded person.
Therefore, the guide should be able to give the most precise information in a very short time.
In a blind person role:
Not seeing anything was a scary experience.
The street noises seemed louder, thereby it was difficult to identify which noise from where is coming.
Perception of distance and surrounding environment was very cumbersome.
It’s also hard to get cross the road in time, when it is dictated by pedestrian light.
Figure 4: One of the pre-selected routes for field research
User interviews
Then we conducted interviews with people with different visual impairments, through their stories we were able to learn about the challenges they face in their daily lives and got to know their needs.
User journey
From the insights collected by field research and user interviews we created a user journey to capture the user’s emotional changes in a specific scenario (getting from home to the ophthalmologist).
Figure 5: User journey (From home to the ophthalmology)
FIRST PROPOSAL
Outcomes
Before designing the first proposal, we examined the state-of-the-art technologies and found that using Hall effect could be the most ideal solution. Self-adhesive magnets are installed on landmarks citywide. The direction of the magnetic field is measured by a 3D Hall sensor embedded in a smart bracelet which generates a code. The cloud stores the position of the magnets and decodes the information, which is sent an audio message to the visually impaired phone, who thus receives voice-based instructions through earphones to help with accurate navigation.
As the result of the first 6 weeks of the project, we designed an IoT system using the Hall effect to help the navigation of the visually impaired in the city.
Figure 6: Initial concept for Awergo IoT devices
Solo project
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Solo project ⬇
DIRECTIONS FOR FURTHER DEVELOPMENT
Based on the feedbacks given at the final presentation of the first phase, I started to define the solution for the followings:
How to achieve a more precise orientation?
How tags / magnets can be installed in the city in a non-destructive way?
In what additional ways can the user wear the product?
SECOND PROPOSAL
Technology
After consulting experts of the field of applied physics, I concluded that in practice a smart bracelet equipped with Hall sensors is not feasible.
So I researched a new operation principle: RFID (Radio-frequency identification), which is also allowing the users to navigate more precisely. Using RFID and BlueTooth technologies I came up with the following system:
Figure 7: The new system
Engineering
Then I designed in detail the inner constructions of the devices: the smart bracelet and wireless chargers.
Prototyping
At this stage I created various prototypes with a help of a 3D printer, I experimented with the designs so that I could achieve products that are easy to assemble.
Wearing options
With the design I made it is possible for the user to wear the device in 3 different ways: clipped on clothing, as necklace or as a bracelet.
USABILITY TEST
To gain feedback and test the assimilability of the product I conducted a usability test with one of the former interviewees. Unfortunately, she has lost her sight completely at the age of 16. As seen in the video below she was able to assemble and wear the device as it was intended. She evaluated Awergo as follows:
Pros:
"Necessary and sufficient information."
"It's good that the material of the clothclipp is rigid because it goes into the groove and stays there firmly."
"It's attached properly, I'm not afraid to lose it"
“I was able to sense the charger due to its tactile surface.”
Cons:
“The bracelet function is cumbersome to install, because only a single fingertip is left for sensing.”
“Sliding the silicone strap and positioning simultaneously is complicated. When I'm in a hurry, I wouldn't like to spend time with it. "
WHAT DID I LEARN?
I am really happy that I dedicated time for rethinking the first proposal and for usability testing - it was great to see that the design can work in practice
As the next steps I can identify two possible areas of development:
improving the ergonomics of the bracelet function
testing the operation principles of the system