Ben Morris - Honours 4 Product Design
FUTURE MOBILITY
We created 'Lilac' - The Car Comparison Machine. An intelligent device that compared the consumer's (during interaction) current car - with a Nissan Leaf. Lilac would jump into life when it detected movement, and begin a conversation about fuel consumption. Using voice renegotiation technology, in conjunction with a vast database of car statistics, we were able to print a receipt that stated variables: based on how much the consumer could save if they switched to green energy.
We wanted to provoke interest around the future of energy.
Below is the demonstration video:
SO WHAT IS FUTURE MOBILITY?
Scroll below to find documentation of our aims for the project, and the processes we took towards the completed solution. I will also outline the key roles I played in the team, in ensuring its success.
INTERACTION
This encapsulates the very nature of Lilac. The ability to start an 'artificial' conversation about the car you drive is what gives our project life. The traditional key turn gesture, that in part, initiates the interaction - it holds a certain novelty which entices the consumer to find out about the future of green energy. Interaction is everything in Future Mobility.
INTELLIGENCE
The technology behind Lilac utilises the ability of the Raspberry Pi, micro controller. The key turn interaction is attached to a potentiometer which dictates when the thermal printer actuates. Lilac also uses voice recognition technology which stores information and sends it over to the personalised receipt. It compares consumer car data against every car manufactured after 2010. The machine has a built-in-speaker which provides feedback during the interaction.
THOUGHT PROVOKING
The receipt that is built from the consumer information sparks a debate about the efficiency of their current car. It provides insight to the future of green energy, using the Nissan Leaf as a benchmark. It prints information such as: how much money you can save, and how much emissions you could cut down on.
OUR DESIGN PROCESS
RESEARCH
We looked into a lot of different areas within the subject of the future of commuting. We were particularity interested in how modern cities are developing their infrastructure, to meet the needs of the 21 century. We looked at different personas of the commuter, and how their expectations and habits are changing - this led us to our ideation process.
IDEATION
We loved the idea of using data in a useful and unexpected light. It was a great opportunity to consider all means of technology. It took us some time to find our niche. We used all manner of ideation techniques: such as 'timed quick sketching' - this is a process where you generate 6 ideas within the space of 2 minutes. Repeat this process over and over amongst a group of 4 and you start to spark some highly compelling concepts.
DEVELOPMENT
This was a stage that truly tested our ability as designers. We came across various physical constraints that were overcome - such as considering the manufacture of the main body. Our vision of what we wanted from the project started to become clearer overtime. CAD played a great role in the development process, I took a great deal of time using different alternative designs and finding the best fixes.
MANUFACTURE
The body started to come together, built from hundreds of slices (generated from CAD model). The laser cutter enabled us to create a hollow body. During the development process we realised there would be issues around air ventilation and overheating. Its hollow nature allowed us to fix a 5v fan inside, which cooled the 'technology unit' above. We used 3D printed ABS plastic to create the top part of Lilac - this enabled us to include all manner of complex detail that the part required, such as: lip for the thermal printing paper.
MY ROLE
'Realising Design'
One of my key strengths is realising a design. After the initiation process (such as ideation), and we know what we want to create - I play an integral role in bringing that idea into a reality. I used CAD software to generate the form of the shape we wanted to create. This enabled me to inspect some of the possible issues (such as component placement). It gave me to the opportunity to translate the form into slices, where it was laser cut for physical manufacture of the body. The top model was used to create a 3D print. I always try to find as many flaws within a design during the development process - this is crucial in ensuring the success of the final solution.
THE 3D PRINT PROCESS
STL FILE USE
When it came to manufacturing the top part, I knew there was a great deal of complexity required in order to realise what we as a team wanted. Therefore I generated a CAD model that ensured all components sat comfortably. I then translated the model into a STL file which enabled me to print with ABS plastic.
INSPECTION
TECHNICAL DETAILING
One the greatest assets of CAD is the ability to view exactly how each component will interact before manufacture. I did a lot of playing about with the design of the top part to ensure there were no significant problems at a later stage.
KEY INTERACTION
FITTED ASSEMBLIES
Arguably one of the most integral parts of our project was the key turn interaction. I designed a number of parts to accommodate components withing a small space. For more information, please find the assembly break down video below.
MANUFACTURE
MANY RINGS
One time consuming process was the manufacture of the body. Due to its significant height, the assembly of the rings took focus. The organic shape was later casted in concrete to provide its 'street look'.
PROJECT GALLERY
Future Mobility was part of a larger project called Atelier Commuter, find out more here: https://simonfruebis.de/