Student Design Challenge

Making everyday interactions magical

Team   Akriti Kaur, Ashutosh Agrawal, IIT Guwahati
Duration   Nov - Dec'16

The challenge

Theme: Everyday Magic
The aim was to look at everyday small interactions surrounding us, and how through design and the creative use of new technologies, one can improve it in a massive way and make it magical.

Everyday problems (US context)

Use case

Solo traveller
Seth is a solo traveller. He often takes vacation from his job and goes off to wander around places he loves outside the city. He is a really busy person juggling between office and work. Since it's very difficult for him to take time out and plan a trip itself, he tends to forget his power bank or often finds it discharged when he makes imprompto plans. He is proficient in technology and finds mobile phone an effective tool while travelling. Since he travels solo, a discharged phone poses a threat to his travel security. Following are the possible problems he might face in such a scenario:

  • Internet surfing
  • Understanding directions
  • Call people when in emergency
  • Travel itinerary
  • Social connectivity
  • Travel options - cab
  • Searching for places around
  • Digital payment options

Problems faced

Desktop research

So, where do we get the energy needed to charge phones in such scenarios?

Proposed solution - Resonance

A wearable which converts sound vibrations from the surroundings into electrical energy and can store it for later use. The device can be used to charge various devices like MP3 players, smart-watch, etc.

  • Wearable device: Clipped to shirt’s collar
  • Convert sound energy to electric charge: Can store electrical energy which is used to charge various devices
  • Close to the mouth: Catches maximum intensity of sound vibrations
  • Color: Since it needs to go with our dress, maybe grey or black would be good. of sound vibrations
  • Material: The product needs to be aesthetically pleasing. It could be used as an accessory, made with high gloss ABS material
  • Clip: A strong and flexible material; plastic and metal with chrome plating.

Around 420 billion dB of sound is produced at a given time from a frame of reference, and a mobile phone requires 5-12 volts to get charged. A noisy traffic or jet passing overhead can produce up to 100dB of sound , generating 50 millivolts of electricity, enough to give a smartphone battery a lift. This device will capture all surrounding sound vibration and store it for later use.

Sketches

Video submission