Epi-Connect

Epi-Connect

EpiConnect

Fall 2016 Senior Studio Project 

EpiConnect is a smart case and mobile app system that monitors Epipen expiration and builds a network of support throughout the community of people with severe allergies.

Internal Temperature Regulation

GPS Tracking & Separation Reminders

Exposure Monitoring & Expiration Estimation

Local Emergency Support Network

No-Talk 911 Call with Location Notification

Problem: Expiration

Unpredictable exposure to sun and temperature changes cause epinephrine to expire earlier then the estimated expiration date.

Problem: Disconnection

The Epipen is only as reliable as it’s user. The community of people with severe allergies has a limited support network. Going into anaphylaxsis shock without an Epipen on hand, even in public, can feel very lonely and hopeless.

Process: Form Sketches

The $400 Epipen comes in a $2 plastic case that provides no environmental protection. The design process began with brainstorming potential functionality and aesthetics that matched the expense and importance of the Epipen.

Process: Paper Mockups

The favored sketches were turned into paper models to test the design in three dimensions. Chipboard mockups were made to test Epipen fit and ergonomic feel.

Solution: How It Works

Two Peltier Coolers are used to cool or heat the inside of the Epipen Case, while the double wall insulation helps to preserve the internal temperature of the case.

Solution: Digital Screen

Quick case status updates and emergency instructions can be accessed on the case’s external screen.

Solution: Home Charging Station

When the user is at home, the Epipen case is stored on a charging stand. The Epipens remain in the case to allow for continuous thermal regulation and monitoring. The charging station charges the case and two backup batteries.

Solution: EpiConnect App

With the help of technology, this app and smart-case system helps track and monitor Epipens to ensure that they are always with the user, kept in optimal conditions, and are replaced when the expiration date is reached. 

Solution: Hero Alert

To build a support network, the EpiConnect app features a “Hero Alert” program which lets volunteers give their Epipens to other users during emergencies. 

Storyboard: Hero Alert

Users who experience anaphylaxis shock without an Epipen on hand are no longer alone. Life-saving help can be found right around the corner with Hero Alert. 

EpiConnect

Fall 2016 Senior Studio Project 

EpiConnect is a smart case and mobile app system that monitors Epipen expiration and builds a network of support throughout the community of people with severe allergies.

Internal Temperature Regulation

GPS Tracking & Separation Reminders

Exposure Monitoring & Expiration Estimation

Local Emergency Support Network

No-Talk 911 Call with Location Notification

Problem

Expiration

Unpredictable exposure to sun and temperature changes cause Epinephrine to expire earlier than the estimated expiration date.

Problem: Disconnection

The Epipen is only as reliable as it’s user. The community of people with severe allergies has a limited support network. Going into anaphylaxsis shock without an Epipen on hand, even in public, can feel very lonely and hopeless.

Process: Form Sketches

The $400 Epipen comes in a $2 plastic case that provides no environmental protection. The design process began with brainstorming potential functionality and aesthetics that matched the expense and importance of the Epipen.

Process: Paper Mockups

The favored sketches were turned into paper models to test the design in three dimensions. Chipboard mockups were made to test Epipen fit and ergonomic feel.

Solution: How It Works

Two Peltier Coolers are used to cool or heat the inside of the Epipen case, while the double wall insulation helps to preserve the internal temperature of the case.

Solution: Home Charging Station

When the user is at home, the Epipen case is stored on a charging stand. The Epipens remain in the case to allow for continuous thermal regulation and monitoring. The charging station charges the case and two backup batteries.

Solution: Digital Screen

Quick case status updates and emergency instructions can be accessed on the case’s external screen.

Solution: EpiConnect App

This app and smart-case system help track and monitor Epipens to ensure that they are always with the user, kept in optimal conditions, and are replaced when the expiration date is reached.

Solution: Hero Alert

To build a support network, the EpiConnect app features a “Hero Alert” program which lets volunteers give their Epipens to other app users during emergencies.

Storyboard: Hero Alert

Users who experience anaphylaxis shock without an Epipen on hand are no longer alone. Life-saving help can be found right around the corner with Hero Alert. 

Snowberry

Snowberry

SNOWBERRY

Train Better | Ski Better

Snowberry

Snowberry is a ski posture training system. When skiing, a device mounted on the chest and skis measure the skier’s posture. An LED light attached to the skier’s glove provides real-time feedback signaling incorrect posture and gently encourages the skier to correct their stance. The Snowberry mobile app records sensor data and displays the skier’s performance in a simple interface.

The Snowberry Story

Snowberry was a personal study and exploration project. Efforts were focused on human interaction and ergonomics.

DISCOVER

Brainstorm

Initial brainstorms, a flurry of post-it note scribbles and doodle pages, kick-started this senior design project.  The project started with no initial project brief or description.  I chose to focus on designing a device that improves performance.

3D Print Bone Repair

3D CT Scan Studies

Personas: Orthopedic surgeons

Purpose: Improve accuracy of bone treatments & healing outcomes, significantly decrease procedure time

Fusion Ski Boot

Ergonomic Study for Ankle Fusions

Personas: Ski athletes and hobbyists, Skiiers with ankle fusions

Purpose: Current ski boots are difficult to put on, better ergonomics and usability for all users

Ski Boot Sensor Insert

Balance Training Study

Personas: Pro and amateur skiers interested in learning and improving technique, physical therapists

Purpose: Provides new set of data & feedback for ski training, visualizes balance and performance

 

Smart Wrestling Gloves

Blood Oxygen Level Reading Gloves

Personas: Wrestlers, scuba divers, any low oxygen sport or occupation

Purpose: Prevent blackouts & brain damage, coaches & guides can monitor the user’s oxygen health status

Helmet Padding System

Study Head Dimensioning System for Sizing Helmets

Personas: Pro & amateur hockey players, any helmet sports player

Purpose: Dimensioning system based on specific head measurements, improve face mask to be light and nonobstructive

Custom Ice Skates

Foot Form Study

Personas: Pro & amateur hockey players, any sport that requires rigid protective shoes

Purpose: Custom skate exoskeleton for broken bone prevention, custom padding for stability and comfort

Custom Cycling Shoes

Foot Form Study

Personas: Pro & amateur cyclists

Purpose: Custom rigid fit to maximize transfer of power to pedal, study foot measurement points to determine ergonomic fit

Force Sensing Mouth Guard

Concussion Detection

Personas: Pro & amateur boxers, any non-helmet sports player, coaches, sports medicine professionals

Purpose: Measures force and trauma from blows to the head, allows safer practices and better medical attention

Competitive Swimming Snorkel

Personas: Pro & amateur competitive swimmers, leisurely snorkelers

Purpose: Swimmers take time away from stroking to breath every 1 to 3 strokes, swimmers will be able to focus on stroke technique without turning to breath

Go Pro Cover

Protective Cover for Helmets

Personas: Helmet sport athletes & amateurs

Purpose: Protects helmet mounted cameras, makes camera mount more visually appealing

Chosen Concept

Balance & Posture Training

The chosen topic is ski performance training.  Learning to “lean down the mountain” to maintain balance and control while skiing is challenging for some people.  It is difficult to understand mistakes when you cannot evaluate your performance in real-time third-person view.  The project goal is to find a solution that would assist skiers in identifying their posture and balance problems.

Market Research

My initial brainstorm idea was a ski boot with a pressure sensor to measure balance over the ski. Before jumping into this idea, I needed to do market research and comparisons. I needed to see what products currently existed and find unexplored opportunities.

Ski Apps – Maps

Darker interfaces with pops of color

Perspective views of mountains and terrain

Numerous relevant icons and filters

Fitness Apps – Maps

Lighter interfaces with multiple main colors

Flat simplified map views with time and distance stats

Location dot and few icons

Ski Apps – Stats

Densely packed with stats

More stat types to record compared to fitness apps

Few data visualizations

Fitness Apps – Stats

Many progress bars to show activities and improvement over time

Live stat dashboards to reference during exercises

More prominent data hierarchies

DEFINE

Problems

Proper ski posture maintains balance, control, and stability.  A skier with poor posture has difficulty controlling their direction and turns.  They also have increased chances of falling.  Skiing “in the back seat,” with improper posture, can be dangerous for both the skier and people around them.

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Zero Feedback

Most ski apps and performance tracking devices record statistics that are viewed after the skier has finished their ski run.  This setback makes it difficult to alter actions while they are being performed.
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Stat Gaps

Most ski apps and sport performance devices record statistics such as: Speed, distance, vertical elevation, calaries, and heart rate.  These statistics record general sport information and provide vague performance analytics.
 

Ergonomics

Ski ergonomics explored through interviews with a former ski patrol professional, studying ski footage, as well as capturing 3D scans of a properly postured skier in full body ski gear.

Product Design

Develop a system that measures posture while skiing. Ski gear and key posture points were taken under consideration when determining where sensors and indicators might be placed.

Interface Design

Develop an app interface that intakes live feedback from the sensor device and displays trail and performance summaries as well as detailed performance breakdowns for the skier to review.

SNOWBERRY

Train Better | Ski Better

Snowberry is a posture training system for skiers.  While skiing, the skier’s center of gravity should lean down the mountain.  For some people, leaning down a mountain can be challenging.  Snowberry measures the angle of the torso and provides live feedback.  LED lights on the ski glove communicate the skier’s posture status.  The Snowberry app records user performance on each ski run and calculates daily statistics.