Project SA

Project SA *PATENT APPROVED

Designing an accessible storage solution for mobility devices

User: Mobility Device Users (Powered & Manual)
Role: Project Lead - Interviewer - Designer
Patent Number: 11589679

- The Problem -

Current storage devices for wheelchairs are inconvenient, inconsistent, and do not enable autonomy. Furthermore, placement of the storage device often leads to dangerous situations.

- The Solution -

A modular and accessible storage solution for mobility devices
**IMAGES AND DETAILED EXPLANATION NOT AVAILABLE DUE TO PATENT PENDING**

Background

This project was a 10 week design exploration with Toyota Accessibility and Mobility , researching and developing an accessible storage solution for powered mobility devices. My team and I produced a fully functional prototype and a scholarly abstract that has been submitted to a conference. Due to the pending patent on the design, I cannot post images of the final prototype. But the most important aspect of this project is how we got to the solution.

Process

User Research

We began our process by engaging with our users and learning as much as we could about them though observation, guided discussions, interviews, and surveys, focusing on how users stored all items on their devices. Our users were wide in range, with the target of creating a solution that is most impactful. In our preliminary research, we interviewed 8 mobility device users, 2 care-takers, and an employee at an assisted care facility.

We gathered our initial research through interviews with guided discussion plans. As one team member was engaged in conversation, the other was taking diligent notes, and the last was observing the users interactions. We organized our information by creating people portraits for every user interviewed, as well as creating Venn- Diagrams and word mood boards to see patterns in the items stored

In our research, we learned there was no product commercially available that conveniently and effectively stored mobility device users' items. Users were often hacking solutions themselves to figure out what worked best for them. And more often than not, they placed their bags on the back of the chair, putting it at risk of theft and not enabling autonomy.

Insights

After we collected our initial findings, we organized the information and identified insights and values. Some of our key insights included:

Users are more concerned about storing their valuables that are used minute to minute - They want to be able to access these items in a timely manner when needed (i.e. answering the cellphone on time).
The lap area is the most used and accessible - When items are on/near the lap space, users with limited mobility can easily access
Users see their mobility device as an extension of themselves - Their mobility device is a part of their identity and they wouldn't be who they are without it.
Independence and autonomy is important to the self-esteem of the users - They feel good and confident about themselves when they do not have to constantly rely on others

Areas of Opportunity

These insights helped us identify our areas of opportunity that serve as the guiding principles in our design. We also created an Opportunity Area Statement: Our goal is to design a storage solution that is safe, convenient, reliable, and aesthetically pleasing in order for our users to feel comfortable, empowered and independent.

Ideation

Using the Areas of Opportunity, we began brainstorming solutions through blue sky ideation. We came up with as many ideas as possible, ranging in reality and discussed what each one brought to the table. To narrow down ideas, we used design frameworks such as gallery sketches, 2-by-2s, and impact charts. The gallery sketches helped us visualize the ideas and see the interaction, while the 2-by-2s and impact charts enabled us to understand the values the idea would bring to the user

Some of the cardboard prototypes that came from our ideation

Rapid Prototyping & Co-designs

As we narrowed down to feasible ideas, we created mock cardboard prototypes for each one, highlighting the purpose and preliminary "how-it-works". We then took our prototypes to our 5 established co-designers for feedback and co-creating sessions. Our prototyping phase was extremely iterative and cyclical--always checking our designs with ourselves, our users, and our overall goals. At the co-design session, we asked the user to interact with the prototype and give feedback and criticism. We created charts to see the pros and cons of each prototype, and created a ranking system in order to understand which aspects of each design were useful. We formed great relationships with our co-designers and constantly improved our designs with each cycle.

Our co-designer and I working on a prototype

Some of our co-designers

Outcome

Throughout the entire project, we collaborated with community users to design an effective and impactful storage accessory for wheelchairs. I believe that design is best done when you design with real people who will use the product. The video below highlights our project and working with our co-designers. It showcases my passion for engineering and creating for the betterment of peoples' lives.

Summer 2018
Toyota Accessibility and Mobility
Olin College of Engineering
Team: Alison Palmer, Adrian Botran

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