Marian Adusei
WinO
Design of an Exercising machine for Visually Impaired users
Role
Designer
Researcher
Documenter
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Team
Kim Hyunbin
Kwon Hyuneui
Choe Seonggyu
Marian Adusei
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Tools
Solidworks
Keyshot
Illustrator
Photoshop
PowerPoint
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Overview
WinO was an exercise tool designed to address the low levels of exercise in the blind community at Ulsan Welfare center. Background research showed that visually impaired people love to exercise but face many problems: the inability to exercise alone (need of a guide), exercise equipment not designed to support blind people, and lack of motivation to exercise. Our team conducted a user study to find pain points in this situation for users and used UX methodologies to make a conceptual design for our target users.
Process
Research
Analysis
Ideation
Design
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Literature review
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Video review
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Role-playing (health machine)
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Interviews
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Interview and video transcribing
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Mapping
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Persona Creation
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Storyboarding
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Journey Map
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KJ Method
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Concept Generation
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Sketching
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3D modeling
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Interface design
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Product Detailing
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Final Presentation
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User Research
We conducted in-depth user studies using literature studies, video documentaries, interviews, focus groups, and role-playing to fully understand where the problem users were facing. We found in the literature that the major problem with visually impaired individuals was accessibility to exercise equipment designed for them. One other issue is the difficulty they face in exercising independently.
Literature and Documentaries review
Role Playing
Interview and Observation Sessions at Hyein School for the blind
Data Analysis
Using data from the videos, observations, and interviews of experienced blind people and instructors, data was analyzed using mapping to enable the team to create personas for target users. After the personas, journey maps were created to find pain points in selected exercising for our project. Finally, an affinity diagram of solutions was created during a brainstorming session building off on problems in journey maps and interviews.
Mapping interviewees for Persona generation
PERSONA 1: " One day, I will exercise on my own"
PERSONA 2: " Life shouldn't end because I am blind."
PERSONA 3: " Navigating blindness is new but I am hopeful for the future."
Personas of target users
JOURNEY MAP 1 : Outdoor Cycling
JOURNEY MAP 2: Indoor Cycling Machine
Journey of exercising options and problems.
Affinity Diagram to brainstorm ideas and set design direction
Ideation
Sketches of design form and function
Final Design - 3D Model
Compact state of WinO
Final ready to use state
WinO bike is a compact circle in the unused state. To use it pull the upper part with a connected neck which tilts into position when pulled. Next the upper part is opened to form a seat.
Pedal Out
Self Generating Battery
Internal Structure
Our critical three concept is ‘Feedback’, ’Motivation’ and ‘Compact’. To give feedback to user and mimic an outdoor cycling experience we created a wind feedback system. The image on the right is interior of WinO bike. There is big fan which is connected to rail which rotates as rail rotate. This naturally create wind according to speed of rail and a sensor sends speed feedback to user. When visually impaired people use ordinary cycle machine, there is no feedback for their action. So it’s boring and there is no motivation of achievement for blind. WinO achieves this with feedback on progress of exercises chosen.
Aluminium alloy Filter
Carbon fiber Filter
Self Purification Lotus coating
Sensor
Internal Wind system
Final Design - Interface
WinO is also equipped with a braille function that give basic information on the state of the exercise. The bike is also connected to smart device that helps users select exercises, challenges and also connect with other friends to workout together.
The app interface makes use of exisiting accessibility programs in a smart phone. It helps users to keep track of their progress, select riding mode and challenge themselves. The Riding mode allows them to select if they want to ride alone or join a group workout, they also get the opportunity to communicate with other during the group workout. The challenge mode allows user to set either a weekly, daily or monthly challenge for themselves.
Final Design - Product Use Scenario
The stage of use consists of six parts. Firstly, user sets the Wino bike in the space they want to exercise. And then easily pull out the saddle, handles and pedals out. In case of saddle and handle, user can adjust them based on their body size. Next, the user docks their smart phone in upper part of the bike and connect with friends, If user doesn’t have smart phone, they would get information and feedback from Braille interface on the each side of handles. These are basic setting for riding. While they’re riding they can mainly experience two things. Sensation of speed and a fresh outdoor feeling via wind feedback system. After riding, they easily rearrange the machine and then store it anywhere, even in the space between furniture as it is compact and light.
Final Design - Cost Estimation
Based on Market price of Materials, we tried to estimate the price of our product when it is launched. We considered not only the material type but amount needed for the various parts in the manufacturing process. Considering all factors we concluded the price of the product to be 400 dollars.
Further Study
After further study and discussions with a team of experts we proposed a redesign of the width and shape of the saddle to make the thighs more comfortable. Height also should be adjustable for specific users and range of leg motion should be reconsidered. Also one of the most important aspect of design that was not looked at in this project was safety which we realized was part of all the feedback we got. As such we propose a redesign of the base of the bike to ensure stability whilst exercising.