FUNCTIONALITY

This vegetable slicer shows a perfect combination of functionality and user-friendliness. A realistic prototype was created and chosen as one of the bests working prototypes in comparison with other students.

Ergonomics is considered to design a product that is understandable and easy in use. I designed several parts by using SolidWorks and helped my group members to discover, prevent and solve possible problems.

Group members: Kaitlyn Kuiper, Ceri Kamoen, Mats Hamel, Job Schutte, Floor van Langen and Laura de Ridder

SUPPORT

Some people need more help to function in society, because of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, for example. A robot arm could help these people to executed a normal job as cashier.

This robot is actuated by three motors to transport several products. These actuators are controlled by nerve signals of both triceps. Multiple filters need to applied to use such signals. I focussed within this project on the design and programming of these filters.

Group members: Meike Froklage, Kaitlyn Kuiper, Andries Krol and Steven Spoolder

NEW TECHNOLOGY

A designer needs to foresee innovative applications for new technologies, such as Augmented Reality. Recently, museums are aware of the possibilities around Augmented and Virtual Reality.

Responding on this trend, the idea was to create a system where museums and suchlike can rent Augmented Reality glasses. I researched the organization of such a system to make it practical and realistic.

Group members: Daan Driessen, Geert-Jan Evers, Sanne Kassenberg, Eline Luijken, Alex Reus and Vera Truijen

EMPOWERMENT

Technology should be used to improve daily life. In contrast to a robot arm, it’s also possible to use technology in a more sophisticated way. For instance, by integrating sensors in a bracelet to help people with Parkinson disease.

This ‘empowers’ people to live a ‘normal’ life, because they will not be treated as patients. My contribution was within this project to investigate what this people really need and how this could be accomplished.

Group members: Robert Büss, Sven Deinum, Jeroen Stoot, Wouter ter Veldhuis and Patrick Zegwaard

USER-FRIENDLY

A product should contribute to a more comfortable way of living. It also should be affordable and eco-friendly. This is also the goal of IKEA. They asked to design a partition for future walk-in showers.

Within a large design team, we combined the functionality of a partition with a storage, which is accessible from within the shower. I analysed several IKEA products and future bathrooms. In addition, I created a manual to show how easy the installation is.

Group members: Daniël van den Beukel, Lenardo Gijsbertsen, Jelle Kerkdijk, Eeuwe Krikke, Elise Pul, Alicia Vermaas, Tim Koers and Joachim van de Weg

BEHAVIOUR CHANGE

Sometimes, people need to get a push in the right direction. Not everyone knows what they need. It’s the task of a designer to define these desires. For example, a Home Energy Management System could help people to save energy. But how could you motivate users to change their behaviour?

In cooperation with two other students, we investigate this by a (literature) research about motivation and similar systems. After that, I devised the installation method and created part of the interface. I am interested in solving sustainable energy issues and realizing products in general. That’s why, this was my favourite project, at least for now…

Group members: Andries Krol and Steven Spoolder