11. Implications and applications¶
Research & Concept¶
I want to begin with a short story.
Less than two weeks ago, I had the opportunity to work for and with people that have different types of disabilities, for 3 days in a row.
It was an impactful experience that offered me a spectrum of emotions: awareness, empathy, gratitude and willingness to bring real value to some of the people, through my work.
I want to present you the ABLE - for a world designed with YOU in mind. The main prolems I am focusing on, are the following: - people with mobility challenges encounter issues in their basic daily activities; - appearing tools on the market are either too expensive, either not so stylish;
That is why I decided to: - integrate soft robotics into clothing and create assistive and adaptive garments, that will support people with mobility disabilities; - hopefully at affordable prices;
References & Inspiration¶
I got my inspiration, first off all, from the people I've met at the event. Then, more sources attracted to me. Some time after that, I was still affected by the experience, but the idea to create clothing for these people did not arise yet.
In the meantime, I found this beatiful collection of robotic garments that look like they are alive and breathing, created by Ying Gao, called 2 5 2 6.
2 5 2 6 refers to the number of hours invested in the creation of the two polymorphic robotic garments, from ideation to the finish, from the first line of drawing to the last stitch.
It looks so cool, and it made me realise that it would be more amazing if the transforming character would also have an impact, besides the pleasing to the eye one.
Why, What, Who, When, Where?¶
I decided to refer to real people I've met, as the customer segment, this would be, firstly, people that live with a mobility disability.
Other stakeholders would also be the organizations that provide support and expertise to people with disabilities: Keystone Moldova, Motivație, AOPD.
So, how will it work?
The wearables will provide strength while walking and offer support during actions such as standing up and climbing stairs. The body and environmental sensors will determine when the person needs some assistance. And the the needed assistance will be offered with the help of soft robots.
In December we have ideation, customer discovery to better understand the problem and fulfill the needs. More research on the topic of soft robotics and the integration in clothing.
In January scheduled the narrowing it down by defining one one specific product, making the sketches of it and then start the experimenting, failing, experimenting some more and hopefully having the proof of concept – ready at the end of march.
