Report Hikers'cabins

Final Report

Hikers’ Cabins – Missing link Charlotte van der Sommen Coach: Menno Stoffelsen Theme: Next Nature B1.2 – s109229

Faculty of Industrial Design Eindhoven University of Technology 6-6-2011 – Eindhoven

Table of Contents

Introduction …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..….. 3 Group part Block 1 …………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 4 -

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Our interpretation of the project …………………………………………………….…………………..….…… 4 Research ………………………………………………………………………………………….…………………………… 5  Meeting with cabin holders …………………………………….……………….……………. 5  Input client ……………..…………………………………………….………………………………. 6  User test with all the groups ………………………………..……………………………….. 7  User test of our own group ………………………………………….……………………….. 8 Idea generation …………………………………………………………………………………………………….……… 9  Brainstorming ………………………………………………………..……………………………… 9  The concept ………………………………………………………………………………………….. 9 Drop –out Sebastiaan and Rik ……………………………………………………………………….……….…… 11 Reflection …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 12

Individual part ………………………………………………………………………………………………………..………… 13 -

My vision on the project ……………………………………………….……………………………………………. 13 Biomimicry ……………………………………….…………………………………………………………….……….... 14 Research ……………………………………………………………………….……………………………………….…… 15 Conclusion …………………………………………………………………….……………………………………………. 17 Idea generation …………………………………………………………….……………………………………………. 18 Mid-term exhibition ………………………………………………………………………….……….………………. 19 Reflection …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 21

Group part Block 2 ……………………………………………………………………………………………..……………. 22 -

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Concept …………………………….……………………………………………………………………………………….. 22 Research ……………………………………………….……………………………………………………………………. 23  Technology …………………..........…………………………………………………………….. 23  Feasibility …..……………………………………………………………………………………….. 24 form exploration ………………………………………………………………………………………………….…….. 25  The NaviTree ………………………………………………………………………………………. 25  User testing ……………………………………………………………………………..……….... 26  No more NaviTree …………………………………………………………………...…………. 26  Transparent map ……………………………………………………….………………..……… 26  Hiking equipment …………………………………………………………….…….…………… 27

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prototypes …………………………………………………………………………………………………….…………… 28  Interface ……………………………………………………………………………………………… 28  Task analysis ……………………………………………………………………………………….. 28  Pocket knife ………………………………………………………………………………………… 30 - Patents ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 30 - Reflection ………………………………………………………………………………………………….……………….. 31 Over all reflection ………………………………………………………………………………………………….…………. 32 Sources …………………………………………………………………………….………………………………………………. 33 Appendix ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…………… 34 - Appendix A (examples of Biomimicry) ….………..…………………………………….……………………. 34 - Appendix B (information about Geese and Bears) …………………………………………….………… 37 - Appendix C (Questionnaire of all groups together) ………………………………………..…………… 41 - Appendix D (Processed questionnaire)………………………………………………………………………… 46

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Introduction I started this semester with the project Hikers’ cabins in the theme Next Nature. I started in a group of four, together with Sebastiaan van de Venne, Rik Burger and Luuk Rakels. Two weeks before the mid-term exhibition we all had to make a individual view on the project and do an little design cycles on our own. After the mid-term exhibition our first groups were reorganized by looking at the different directions we choose during our individual part. This part of the semester did I worked together with Gabi Ras, Victor Donker and again Rik Burger. My coach is Menno stoffelsen and together with our client Peter Ludden he guided us through the different design steps which leaded us to the final concept we have now.

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Group part Block 1 I made a collage to represent the aspects of the project. I divided the collage in four different aspects. The booking, the hiking itself, the cabin and the reasons to go hiking. All these four aspects are connected by the big nature feeling.

Our interpretation of the project By starting the project, the whole group expected that the focus or the project lay on designing an object or system which would be an addition to the hiker’s experience. In the first week of the project the group came to the conclusion that the real goal of the project was to design a booking system, but still it wasn’t clear what specific expectation there were for the booking system. At first the group was told that we had to make a smart-phone app that would help the hiker booking a cabin.

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Research After realizing what was asked from the, we decided to start looking at the specifics of the user group. By searching for questions to ask the user group we came to the conclusion that there were different user groups that had all different specifics and desires. By doing research to the different user group by the group made questionnaires. One with all the groups together to work more efficiently, and later more focus on the own user group the group made a new questionnaire with more specific questions.

The group also went to Barendonck, which is an estate where hikers’cabins were already being used.

There they collected information about the current booking system. The client had also some input which was very important to keep in mind by walking through the idea generation phase.

Meeting with cabin holder In the beginning of the semester contact was made with owners of hikers’cabins. These cabins were the old cabins that would eventually be replaced by the new Hiker’s Cabin. We had a meeting on the estate Barendonck. Out of this meeting we picked up a lot of information about the cabins, and how they function at this moment and what problems there now exist with the booking. We came to a lot of conclusions: There are three kinds of cabins: (± 25 years)   

Ordinary cabin: bunk beds + table / chairs + water reservoir (€40,-) Cabin+: ordinary cabin + water + cooking(€ 50,-) Cabin comfort: cabin+ + toilet + 2 little rooms (€70,-)

Target groups:      

Families with little children(tent is too much, often more than one night) People on cycling vacation ( often more than one night) Families on a weekend with each other 1 a 2 nights (grandmother and grandfather in the cabin) Concert, party people that don’t like to drive home in the night.

Many high educated people Now and then a Group of Young people

Reservations: The keeper of the cabins prefers not to work with internet because it doesn’t always works, in combination with a cell Phone is it also not Handy because you get double bookings. So she works with a big book she brings everywhere.

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The keeper of the cabins likes to know who is going to stay in the cabins. She works about 1,5 hours a day on the reservations.

First come first served.

The keeper of the cabins uses also: groepen.nl to keep track of the reservations The cabins: The cabins are been cleaned by the people itself. The cabin holder also checks it. If you don’t want to clean it you need to pay €15,- . You need to bring your own sheets, if you forgot them you can rent them for €7,50-.

The weather is an important factor, for the renting of the hikers cabins.

A stay for maximum three nights (not weeks) Especially previous bookings (even a year before)(to take no risk)

Based on this information we started we thought it would be useful to have a user test, to see the business around a cabin from different perspectives.

Input Client (Peter Ludden) Peter Ludden: 

You need to be a member of the club to camp on nature camping places.

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The association of hiker cabins has little control and many laws on the hiking cabins.

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The new hikers cabins is a way to reactivate the county side.

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± 1000 hikers cabins in the Netherlands, (also Belgium, France, Germany and France have hiker cabins)

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Every community has his own rules about what a hikers cabin should look like.

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Because there are more opportunities in biking, more people like to use a hikers cabin.

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The cabin is handy around biking routes.

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20 % of the hikers are on bicycles and 60 % are families.

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A few years ago there existed a central booking system but that went wrong because of the single cabin owners.

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A central booking system increases the spontaneity

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Why is the new cabin better?: 

It fits in the nature environment

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sustainable

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It increases the nature feeling

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There will become a new target group (youth, foreigners)

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The will become an educational aspect in the cabin.

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The cabin will be open through the whole year, also in the winter.

What wants Peter Ludden?: 

He prefers a basic bookings system that fits all target groups. (maybe two different cabins)

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The app is not the most important thing, it’s more important to know if it really will be able to work and about making a bookings system.

User test with all the groups Sebastiaan had the idea to divide the research to the user groups among the different project groups. So every project group did another user group. We started with collecting a hiker websites on with we could post our online question list. Also did a group made the questions that needed to be in the questionnaire. This group excised of a member from each different group, so every group would be involved.

Later we had the opportunity to go to the walking and bike show in the RAI in Amsterdam, again we put up a question list. The information we received from the questionnaire was gathered and analyzed. It appeared almost no hikers used a smart-phone, but a lot of them used gps-systems. It appeared Hikers weren’t really interested in an addition to the hiking experience. The only reason they used different hiking products was because they wanted to limit the risks involved, but if they could, they would rather have no products at all. The essence of hiking is the desire to be as close as possible to the essence of nature.

After fall the question list every group processed a part of the results and all the information was combined. Eventually the groups hardly used any of the information. Probably because they hadn’t asked the write questions, they hadn’t done any research for making a questionnaire.

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To see the questionnaire look at: Appendix C To see some processed results of the questionnaire: Appendix D

User test of our own group With our own group we also did a user test. This time is was a more simple user test. We send an email to some hikers’ cabin holders.

Beste Heer/Mevrouw, Wij zijn een groepje van de Technische Universiteit van Eindhoven en studeren Industrial Design. Wij zitten nu in een project waarin we onderzoek verrichten naar de trekkershutten in Nederland met als doel bijdrage te leveren aan het realiseren van een nieuwe generatie trekkershutten. Voordat we met nieuwe ideeën kunnen komen moeten we dus onderzoek verrichten naar de huidige generatie trekkershutten. Daarom hebben we een paar vragen die ons kunnen helpen met het begrijpen van de huidige situatie.

1.

Wat voor een type bezoekers heeft U in de trekkershutten tegenwoordig? (Als U geen specifieke doelgroep weet te benoemen, kies uit het volgende; echte hikers of fietsers, families, 55+ of jongeren.)

2.

Hoelang vooraf boeken uw bezoekers de trekkershut?

3.

Hoeveel nachten blijven uw bezoekers gemiddeld?

4.

Hoe boeken uw bezoekers? (Wat we hiermee bedoelen is boeken de bezoekers via mail, via een site, bellen ze U persoonlijk of komen ze langs?)

5.

In wat voor een omgeving ligt uw bedrijf? (Stads, bosrijk, weilandelijk) Alvast bedankt voor uw tijd en moeite.

Met vriendelijke groet, Rik Burger, Sebastiaan van de Venne, Charlotte van der Sommen and Luuk Rakels

We made the question list very short so It wouldn’t take too much time for the cabin holders to fill in. So they would be willing to do.

We made this question list to do research to the way of booking a hikers’ cabin at this moment.

Based on the outcomes of all these researches we started with the idea generation phase.

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Idea generation After doing a lot of research the group started with the idea generation phase. At first they did some brainstorming. A few weeks before everyone started individual they started working out some ideas an came to a final concept.

Brainstorming In the start of the semester we brainstormed in a way that everyone individually made ideas for the concept and we discuss them together and so game to a lot better ideas. We worked further on those ideas, but after Sebastiaan and Rik returned from their two weeks work on their own project we started a brainstorm session again.

This time we first did a warming up exercise for brainstorming this way we would all be in a brainstorm mood. We did an exercise for which you first need to write down subjects starting with all the first letters of the alphabet. That you needed to take the last three letters of your mother’s name and design a product with the subjects you had for those letters. In the real brainstorm session we all sat around a table with a piece of paper and wrote down some concepts, later we rotated the papers and the other project members added things to the concept. The brainstorming wasn’t very effective because unfortunately not everyone gave it a 100%. Also not for the final brainstorm session. so the outcome was not what was hoped.

The concept After the brainstorm session Rik came with an idea on which Charlotte also already had thought about a little. The plan would be to not design a product, but more of a system. There would be a park in which different cabins would be placed and users could walk around freely having the guarantee of a cabin being available for the upcoming night. The whole group was very positive about this idea but developed it further to our final concept.

The idea was to use a smart-phone and to be able to look around using your camera function. If a cabin would be 20km from where you would be and you would look in the direction of the cabin, a symbol representing the cabin would pop up on your screen. After clicking on the symbol, the cabin would be automatically booked for that night and you could hike towards the cabin. This option we dubbed the ‘look and book’ option. There would also be the option available to instead of look around, to use a map where the available cabins would be shown. You could select a cabin and hike towards there. This would be the map function. In both scenarios, you would also get a route description.

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Drop-out Sebastiaan and Rik A few weeks after the start of the semester, Sebastiaan and Rik had to work on their previous project which they had to prepare for ‘De Kunsthal’ in Rotterdam. This took about two weeks.

During these weeks Luuk and I worked on with the project. In this period we reported some things on paper and also worked out the ideas we already had. We had expected that Sebastiaan and Rik would return sooner than they eventually did. Because we thought they could return any moment we haven’t stated any real new processes. So we hadn’t come much further in that two weeks. After Sebastiaan and Rik returned we started a brainstorm session which brought us back on rail.

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Reflection The overall working in the group went well in this period. For me we started totally fresh, but Sebastiaan and Rik already had done a project together so in the beginning they had some struggle working together because they also would have liked to have a fresh start. I had sometimes the feeling that Luuk fell a bit outside of the group because he had his own ideas and find it hard to adjust to the rest of the group. My place in the group felt very comfortable to me. I was totally taken serious, and because of the wrong start for Sebastiaan and Rik, and the independency of Luuk I felt a bit like the binding factor. I automatically sometimes took the lead and I realized that I did it actually pretty good which surprises me a bit.

About the work we delivered I am not that happy. In my opinion we didn’t made clear choices. We stayed for too long in the idea generation phase and didn’t worked out the ideas. Because of this we became a little stuck. It would have been better if we had chosen our target group sooner and got further on that target group. This way we could work out the concept better and in detail. Than we could proceed with the next design steps and we would finally save more time to finalize the final concept which now could have been better in my eyes.

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Individual part

About two weeks before the mid-term exhibition everyone went individual. This way everyone could develop their own vision on the project and after doing all these research together come up with ideas individually without any influence. After the mid-term exhibition there would be created new groups which could be based on the different visions.

My vision on the project Two architecture students of the TU/e won an award for a Dutch Hikers’ Cabin. The concept can now be developed further towards the realization phase. Next to the hikers’ cabin the reservation process has to be developed. This part will be the main part of your project. The interaction platform can be based on starting points like ‘hiking as a nostalgic desire to a more simplistic life’ , ‘a modern version of the hunter-gatherer’ , ‘standardization vs. uniqueness’ , ‘Technology and Nature’. Real-life hikers’ cabin experience shall be certainly part of the project.

In my eyes a hikers cabin is more a sort of little wooden hut that has about eight bunk beds in it, and maybe a table with seats around it. Those huts are spread in the forest.

When hikers’ need a place to sleep for the night they watch their map and look for the hut that is nearest. When they reached the cabin they just chose a bed. So you can’t rent the hut for yourself or your family it stays open for everyone so you can sleep until its full. So one important requirement for hiking is to bring your own tent with you, because when the hut is full you must have another option to sleep and that will be then in your own tent.

The good things about the hut above a tent is that in most cases you don’t have to build a tent when you’re tired of a long day walking, you have a dry place to sit and sleep and you have a bed with mattress. Also could it be a positive thing that you meet other people to for instance inform each other about interesting walks.

Together with my group I did a lot of research to different kind of hikers, or users of hikers cabins.

Broadly there are a few target groups I can name. The hardcore hikers’ who don’t book in advance, the people who like to walk or bike for a day or two and want to make shore that they have a sleeping place by booking all the hikers cabins already, people who like to stay in a hikers cabin for a weekend but don’t plan on walking or biking for instance young families.

Because my vision on hikers is that they are very adventurous and just stay in cabins, even without booking. I chose to use the hardcore hikers as my target group.

The possibilities of making a reservation platform for these hardcore hikers is small because in generally they don’t even make reservations. So I’m thinking about making the concept of the cabin

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in such a way that it will become more easy for the hardcore hikers to book instead of just going and sleep. I also want to make it possible for the hikers to check if there is still place in the cabin they plan on going to, because if not they can still decide to go to another cabin that is close. So it will probably become a system within you need to book at the day you want to sleep.

In making a kind of reservation process I like to use biomimicry as a structure on which I build my ideas. In the beginning of this semester I joined a workshop about biomimicry. I was very interested by this subject so I decided that I was going to use the biomimicry way of thinking in my project.

Biomimicry: Bios:

life

Mimesis:

imitate / apply

Biomimicry is a new scientific way of thinking, seeking to build artificial systems based on biology. It is used in all kind of disciplines like: architecture, communication, flow control, engineering, design and a lot other fields.

The biomimicry way of thinking is looking at nature in a way of searching for solutions for your problems, (How did nature solve a problem, with help of the evolution) “Imitation is the highest form of flattery” (Clovis de Matos -European Space Agency) An important property of nature is evolution. By natural selection through mutations in the genes or different kind of environments all kind of organisms have changed through the thousands of years they exist on the planet. They have attached themselves to their environment because the ones who could attach itself the environment survived and gave their good genes though to their children. Because of the evolution new kinds of ways to survive arose. In the biomimicry you will be inspired by those evolutions and use them in your own problem. So when you have a problem: You search in nature for organism that have or used to have the same kind of problem and look how they solved it, then you can use that in your own product.

To use biomimicry in my project I need to search for ways nature gets along with sleeping places or organism. I am going to search for three examples in nature on which I can build my ideas. I’m going to use geese for my first example because they migrate twice a year, and during that migration they need a place to sleep every night so their situation is pretty similar to the hikers situation. For my second example I’m going to use bears because they live in contrast with geese on their own and live

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in caves, I wonder how they select those caves and how many times the change caves in their lives.

With these two examples I think I’m going to have a lot inspiration for the hikers cabins because they both probably have a very different way in searching for a resting place, so there must be one way which I can use as example.

For examples of biomimicry you can see Appendix A.

Research I found a lot of information about the Canadian geese so I decided to take them as example. I selected the sentences that contain information about the place the geese stay and what they search for in that place, because I think this is the information I need to reflect that in the human way of searching for a place to stay.

The Canadian geese migrates in the spring and in the fall and pass through Wisconsin. But all the 12 different groups of this species, have a different breeding and wintering area and they travel different migration routes. Giants can be seen in city settings hanging out at park-like ponds and open areas with mown grass. Flocks select a wetland area and stay near there for 6-10 weeks to refuel and rest during their long journey. While there, they eat grass and grain. Beginning in late spring, each pair of geese finds a nesting territory and selects a nesting site in north-central Canada along the western shore of James Bay and the southern edge of Hudson Bay. They build a large nest of grasses and downy feathers. After the goslings hatch, the family searches for tender stems of marsh grass.

Some geese families travel non-stop for up to 16 hours. Flocks will also make shorter flights depending on wind patterns and where food is available. Once the flocks arrive at Wisconsin's wetlands, they quickly get into a routine of feeding mostly in area crop fields in the morning and late afternoon. During the daytime, geese mainly loaf around. Just before sunset the geese fly back in several groups to rest for the night at nearby wetlands. Thousands of geese landing at marshes, especially Horicon and Theresa Marshes until the cold freezes their roost sites on open water and snow covers their food. Horicon Marsh and all of east-central Wisconsin is an important "staging ground" for geese - a place that provides water, shelter, and the food.

I also found a lot of information about black bears, and I selected the lines that could help me in realizing what the living and especially the sleeping space of a black looks like.

Black bears are found on the Pacific coast all the way across the Rockies up through the Great Lakes and over to the east coast down to Florida. Bears live primarily in the woods and they have a remarkable way of adapting to people moving in to their territory. During the summer they spend plenty of time snooping around campsites looking for campers' food. Bears eat berries, nuts, tubers, roots, honey, worms, buds, leaves, fruit, twigs, grubs, fish, insects, and small mammals. Bears are nocturnal which means they are most active at night. Bears have their own territory. The territories

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of males must be a lot bigger that the ones for females. Bears also are powerful swimmers and they can easily swim across lakes in the summer time. Sometimes the cubs climb trees to avoid danger while the mother stands on guard. Bears hibernate for about 6 months through the winter months.

This means they rest and stay sleeping in a cave or crevice. Hibernation is an important adaptation for many different animals living in places with extremely cold winters. Bears will also scratch trees with their teeth and claws and have been searching for insects. They really are a member of the forest.

So eventually we have for the geese as well as for the bears some important things that they need in a place to be able or willing to stay there.

To see my research on Geese and Bears you can see Appendix B. Geese: 

Geese pass Wisconsin during their migration (many fields)

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Giant geese can be seen in city settings

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Flocks select a wetland area to refuel and rest and eat grass and grain

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They build a large nest of grasses and downy feathers

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After the goslings hatch, the family searches for tender stems of marsh grass.

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Flocks adjust their flights depending on wind patterns and where food is available

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Once the flocks arrive at Wisconsin's wetlands, they start feeding mostly in area crop fields

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Just before sunset the geese fly back in several groups to rest for the night at nearby wetlands.

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Thousands of geese landing at marshes

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a place that provides water, shelter, and food is very important for geese.

Bears: 

Bears live primarily in the woods

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During the summer they spend plenty of time snooping around campsites looking for campers' food

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Bears eat berries, nuts, tubers, roots, honey, worms, buds, leaves, fruit, twigs, grubs, fish, insects, and small mammals

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Bears are most active at night

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Bears have their own territory

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Bears are powerful swimmers, they can easily swim across lakes in the summer time

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Cubs are able to climb trees to avoid danger

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Bears hibernate in a cave or crevice for about 6 months through the winter months

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Bears can live in places with extremely cold winters

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Bears scratch trees with their teeth and claws and search for insects.

Conclusion: Ether geese as bears have certain requirements for their sleeping places. Geese prefer to stay on fields or marshes on which they can rest from the long flights and which contain a lot of food, so the geese have enough to eat. But geese can also be seen in the city, as long as there is enough food and a save environment. Also do geese need certain kind of grasses during the breading period. Black bears prefer to life in the forest which provide the food they like the most, but also water is an important part of the living environment of the bear. Bears hibernate during the winter period so a cave or crevice is a crucial thing in a bears life. Trees have many important purposes in a bears life for instance for the cubs to run in when it get dangerous, but also to scratch with their teeth and claws.

Also people do have certain requirements for place to stay there. For instance: 

It need to be save



There need to be food

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There need to be shelter

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You need to be able to stay with the people that are close to you

I have thought about different ways people can be attracted to a place. That can be happen by sounds, by light, by objects etc. I thought about that people want to feel safe and cozy. By showing warm light that feeling can be given.

So I used all ways people feel attracted to home or to a sleeping place to make my concepts which are be seen on the posters.

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Idea Generation After my research I made three concepts based on the research I’ve done.

Concept 1: sound cabin The cabin makes the sound of birds. The closer you come to the cabin the louder and more full the sound becomes. The sound won’t be annoying for the animals or other aspects of the woods because it will be a natural sound. You just need to follow the sound, and you will get at the cabin.

To book the cabin you need your smartphone, and you can check on your smartphone whether the cabin is full, if it’s fee you can make a reservation.

Here the people will be leaded by the sound that makes them think of a resting place. A place where very much animals especially birds will stay would be a save place which is rich of food.

Concept 2: coloring flowers In this concept parts in the forest light a little bit up for instance little flowers ore mushrooms. The parts that stand most far from the cabin has a chilly blue color and the closer you get to the cabin the more the color of the flowers and mushrooms changes in warm red.

You can book by touching the flowers or mushrooms. For instance when you touch a flower two times that means that you booked the cabin for two persons, and when the cabin is already full the flower turns yellow. Then you know that you need to go in another direction to find a empty cabin.

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When you touch the flower, you make automatically a reservation, but if it takes too long for instance more that a hour before you touch a next flower, the reservation will automatically be canceled.

In this concept the warmth of the colors will lead you to the cabin. So the colors will reflect the warm and cozy feeling of a save place.

Concept 3: Bench booker As you walk through the forest you find several benches. The closer you get by the cabin, the more comfortable the benches become.

As you sit on the benches you reserve a bed in the closest cabin. So when you go sit with two in the bench you reserve two beds in the nearest cabin. If it takes more than a hour to get by the next bench your reservation for that cabin will be canceled.

When the cabin is already full the seats will turn for instance red, so you know that you need to walk in a different directions.

The comfortable feeling of the benches especially when you are very close to a cabin will reflect the cozy feeling of a same home. I haven’t done color research so I don’t know which color would best communicate that the cabin is already booked, I took for example red but that also could become yellow or any other color.

Mid-term exhibition In the mid-term exhibition I presented these three ideas an got a lot of comment on them. It was funny to see how some people totally disliked an idea that others thought was great.

I got some feedback on my ideas on which I would have used in making my concepts better if I would have had the chance.

Concept 1: 

Maybe not the whole time a sound, you could get mad of it.

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

Maybe activate the sound yourself with your smart-phone on the moments you want to hear it.



Sound could also just come out of the smart-phone.

Concept 2: 

The choice of the red could also be seen as an aggressive color.



Hikers do not like to stop that often.



Maybe the flowers or mushrooms disappear when the cabin is already booked.

Concept 3: 

Hikers do not like to stop that often.



Benches do not make the hikers experience stronger.



Resting is very important during hiking so the benches are great.



Maybe the benches disappear when the cabin is already booked.

This feedback I would have given a lot opportunities to make my ideas a lot better, but there was no time to do that, because we had to work further on a group thing.

I also got feedback on the way I used biomimicry. From my point of view I used biomimicry in a way of looking to what attracts people to go to a certain place to for instance rest for the night. I could also use biomimicry in way to search how animal navigate or just find their way to the cabin. If I would have had more time to work this individual part out I would have done research to the way animals navigate to their places.

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Reflection In my eyes the two weeks I spent working individually were a bit useless. It was very handy that everyone had made it clear what their interest was within the project, and to divide the groups based on their interest. But in my eyes it would have been more efficient if we had chosen our interests after the mid-term exhibition. This way I could skip the individual part which in my eyes was a bit a waste of time. I started a big research into biomimicry, which could have been interesting to explore more. Unfortunately, we hardly used anything of my research into biomimicry in the last block.

The positive part for me was that by working individually it became more clear what I’m capable of. I put a whole report together in a very short time and worked out three concepts. Before, I would have never believed that I could do this in such a short time. I also realize that my writing skills still are a weak point, and it is important for me to take extra caution when I’m writing.

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Group part Block 2 After the mid-term exhibition new groups where formed based on their individual input. During the individual working Charlotte focused on increasing the hikers’ experience so she was put in a group together with Rik, Gabi and Victor who also focused on the experience.

The goal of this project was above all, to conserve the hiker experience. The concept that came out of this project aims to do just that. It is an extension of what every hiker already has: a pocket knife.

The extension is a map, with which the hiker can get information about sleeping spots in the area and also book one. The main reason for the choice of integrating a navigation system into a pocket knife was that current navigation gadgets distract the hiker from his/her experience with nature.

This part of the report contains the work that has been done in quartile 4 that has led to our final concept.

Concept Before the final concept was created the group had another concept the NaviTree which they worked out already very far. Because of the feedback from the client and the couch they moved away from that idea and came to the final concept.

The final concept was integrated into a pocket knife, a utility tool that every hiker has. Very simply said, it is a pocket knife with a roll-out map. horizontal holding position The concept is based on the idea that a normal paper map will be extended with real time and location information. The map is smart in a way that it knows the location of the user and shows this location in the center of the map. Around this location different accommodations are shown like cabins, campsites, restaurants, viewpoints etc. The route and navigation to these accommodations will be visible by simple lines over the paths on the map. Ideally these lines will look like they are drawn by hand with a ballpoint to keep it classical. vertical holding position The second part of the concept is visible when holding the map in a vertical way when the map becomes transparent and shows a virtual information layer. This layer gives information in depth, so when looking through it there will be information of a cabin that is located in that direction but maybe 5 or more kilometers away. Eventually there will also be the option to receive information about different nature surroundings (i.e. tree, river, animal species etc.)

Due to technological aspects, the map will probably be roll able and not foldable. At least one side of the map needs a thickening in which the technology and information will be located in. Because of this, it is likely that the map will be rolled out of a thicker and solid part.

This thicker part can be almost anything. It is actually just a package around the technology and roll system. This is why it can be worked out in different kinds of products. Even creating a complete product line is one of the possibilities. The map display can roll out of a lot of products that a hiker usually carries around with him. Ideas for the product line include:

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   

Binocular Backpack Water bottle Walking stick/cane

The sizes of these products differ from each other. This means that the size of the map is also different. For example the map can be bigger when integrated in a walking cane than in a pocket knife. This creates a wider choice for the hiker because every hiker has different interests and needs.

Just a paper looking and totally flat map would be the most ideal product but considering the fact that there also has to be electronics inside it is very likely that this idea is the least feasible for now.

The choice was made for the pocket knife, because a pocket knife is a multifunctional tool. This means that additions to such an object would not seem as strange as additions to any other hiking product. Furthermore a pocket knife is a product that every hikers has. It is part of the basic equipment for any hiker.

Research Technology Tech specs Electronics and technologies that have to be “inside the map” are:      

GPS Internet connection (3G for example) Accelerometer /gravity sensor Digital compass Built-in rechargeable battery (uses wireless charging) roll able (transparent) OLED screen

Technology Research in a patent library showed that both roll able and transparent screens are available. It is

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not commercial yet but it will be soon according to speculations. A combination of transparent and roll able has not been found yet, but this will probably be available the coming years.

Videos of exhibitions with roll able and transparent screens on fairs are also available on the internet. These roll able screens display high quality movies, which will be detailed enough for a map. A foldable screen was also exhibited at but this showed only 1 bending. A map which can be folded at any place and as much as possible is probably not possible yet.

Feasibility A CES youtube video containing information on transparent OLED displays was found. At the CES (Costumer Electronics Show) 2009, Samsung exhibited a transparent screen. The reporter in the YouTube movie talks about a foldable option and expected it to be on the market next year, so 2010.

There is no official information found of plans of Samsung to release this kind of displays on the market.

In the video with transparent screen the man tells:      

4,3 inch See through, very breakthrough technology No backlight 3D also possible Possible application: head up display in car, gps > not distract when driving Price, not yet, concept model, sure within a year maybe in the market

In the video with foldable screen the man tells:      

Foldable screen shows no seem Possible application: smartphone Price and product availability within in a year Technical everything is possible More challenge manufacturability Price point no info at that moment but within one or two years a affordable level

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It seems to be just a matter of time before these techniques will become available at the market.

The implementations and the application are various and the concept with the map is very good possible to be one of the options to become a product when the techniques are commercial available.

The market research company Displaybank announced a report about transparent displays.

Displaybank suggest that the transparent display market grow to 87.2 billion dollars by 2025.

Transparent display is set to be unveiled in 2012 to the market and Displaybank expects transparent display through both replacement and new market creation, to reach about 1.17 billion in unit and $87.2 billion in terms of revenue.

The battery inside the product will be chargeable through wireless charging techniques. These techniques are already available.

Form exploration The NaviTree The concept previous to the current concept was the NaviTree. This is the map integrated into a real tree slice. The tree slice would have a very thin, illuminating screen that would display the map. On the side it would have buttons which the hiker could use to interact with the map. There was some debate about the zooming function and how this would be implemented. There were a couple of

possibilities:   

Making a scrolling wheel on the side of the device.

Let the device consist of two parts of which one could be rotated A thin ring on top which can be rotated

A low-fidelity, wooden prototype of each possibility was made so the difference in interaction of the zooming between each concept could be analyzed.

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User testing The purpose of the prototypes was to explore different options and to communicate them. The different ways of interaction of zooming could be tested with users. For this physical user test a questionnaire was made, which apart from the focus on interaction also included questions about the thickness, size and shape. Apart from a physical user test an online survey was created. This questionnaire was focused on on the impression of the device itself.

Both surveys were conducted as pilot tests to see if the questions were clear and the total survey was pleasant answer. Both surveys were improved after the feedback that came out of the pilot test.

See appendix X for the interview list See appendix X for the online survey No more NaviTree After the user testing, there were doubts of which concept should be chosen to develop further. The choice had to be made between two concepts, the NaviTree and the transparent map. Due to its shape, the NaviTree concept had limitations which were difficult to deal with. The map concept was still considered optional because it was not possible for it to be feasible according to our client’s wishes. For now, it would have to remain a concept with a future market plan.

These doubts were discussed in the coach meeting and the conclusion drawn that it was important to find the most important aspects that are in both concepts. After that shapes had to be explored to find the most appropriate shape for the device.

Transparent map The form of this concept is fairly obvious: a square/rectangle screen which dislays a map. The appropriate way of interacting with this concept would be by directly touching the screen and manipulating the information with your hands and fingers. For the map to be stored, it would either have to be rolled up or folded. If it were to be folded, the map would have to be bent at certain places again and again. This will most likely cause the map to become dysfunctional after a while.

Rolling the map to store it remained our only option for this concept.

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Hiking equipment The concept of the map can be integrated into several items that a hiker would already carry with it during hiking.

I made some sketches of the ways the screen could be integrated in a hikers tool.

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Prototypes Interface To conserve the hiking experience means that the user would have to spend less time interacting with the map and more time interacting with their environment. To achieve this, the interface of the map will have to have a simple interface where the user can easily find the information that he or she is looking for.

The interface was made with Adobe Flash Catalyst.

For the first version of the interface, only the most basic information will be given. A task analysis of the was made:

Task analysis While hiking, the user needs to be able to: · see a map of the hiking area · see his/her own position on the map · see interesting milestones in the area

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· · · · · · · · · ·

see the available sleeping spots on the map get surrounding information about the sleeping spot book an available sleeping spot cancel a previously made booking see the route to the sleeping spot after it has been booked see a compass pointing to north see an approximation of the time it takes to reach the chosen sleeping spot see how long the route is zoom in and out battery level

The interface was created to support these basic functions with exception of the zooming function.

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Pocket knife The physical representation of the concept was created out of MDF using a laser cutting technique.

Inside the pocket knife will be the mechanism of a crib pen, this way it is easy to create the roll out effect. The function of this prototype is to give an impression of how the map will be pulled in and out of the pocket knife.

Patents For the research to the technology we used some patents to prove that our concept could possible work.

To find the patents we used you need to go to this site: http://www.google.com/patents And type these numbers in the search bar: no. 7786951 - Apparatus with display no. 7710370 - Flexible display device roll able no. 7307779 - Transmissive E paper display no. 6879319 - Integrated OLED display and touch screen no. 0321728 - Transparent Display Apparatus no. 0295280 - Organic Light Emitting Diode Display Device no. 0198451 - Flexible Display no. 0264156 - Foldable cellular phone device no. 0177020 - Rollable Display Device

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Reflection I’m very happy about the teamwork during the last part of the semester. At the start of this block we as group spoke through the ideas we all had about the project. Surprisingly we all had the same ideas about the project and how to go further. This was a great start and we were all very enthusiastic.

In the beginning of the project my role in the team started the same as it was in the first block. I took a bit the lead. Later we divided the roles and Victor became the team leader. First I also wanted to be the team leader but after a few weeks I was glad Victor took got that job because I had no time for all the extra activities that belong to that job and Victor did it very well.

In this last period we have made a concept, but the way we got to it was in my eyes not the best way. We first had another final concept which we canceled a few weeks before the final exhibition because of the comments of the coach and the client. Next time we better work the concept on a low fidelity level out and that show to a lot of people. And leave some space for new options. This way we would invest too much time in working out a concept which isn’t even our final concept. We could have better invested more time in working out the final concept.

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Over all reflection When I chose this project I had the idea that we had to design something for in the cabin or a tool for hikers which would enlarge the hikers’ experience. In the first weeks it seemed like we had to make an app which could be used to book the cabins. I had the idea that the client didn’t really knew what he was looking for, and the coaches also had a hard time describing the project so we had to find out what the purpose of this project was. This was not that bad because now we got the experience to work with a real client. Sometimes, in the real world they don’t know what they actually want or need as well. That is our job, to find out what the client is searching for. Even though this was a very good opportunity for us to learn something about working with a client, it also annoyed us very much that we didn’t know exactly what was expected from us. We did a lot of things that at the end seemed to be useless, like some user tests and going to the walking and bike show. But in my opinion I’ve taken the desires of our target group in consideration and maybe it didn’t contribute to our final product, it did to our vision on what hiking was about. This, I believe, was essential for designing the final product. Eventually I have learned a lot about how to deal with a project like this. I’ve learned to inquire more about the desires of our client and put more effort into the research itself.

During this project my knowledge about ‘user-focused working’ gained enormously. The users of our concept as well as the cabin holders are our stakeholders. They all had different expectations of the concept. Of course our client had a lot of demands. I learned that it is important try and keep track of the desires and demands of the stakeholders, but at the same time make decisions which could affect these desires and demands. During our project, we had difficulties in making these decisions.

This affected the time we spend in the same design phase. Next time it will be better to define our target group much sooner so we can spend more time in elaborating the concept.

Because our final concept isn’t realizable yet we couldn’t make any technology which I regret. I wanted to develop myself in the competency area integrating technology. So for my next project I will create something for which I definitely can develop myself in integration technology.

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Sources

Hikers sites:

http://www.hiking-site.nl/prikbord/ http://thehikersforum.com/phpBB3/ http://whiteblaze.net/forum/index.php?s=785e7345f85ebc28668b1986e755496b http://www.hiking-info.net/forum/ http://www.nwhikers.net/ http://www.walkingforum.co.uk/ http://www.hikingforums.net/forums/

Site with two movies for inspiration: http://www.reghardware.com/2009/01/09/ces_video_samsung_see_thru_oled/ Source for the graphic: http://www.oled-display.net/transparent-display-market-to-reach-872-bln-in-2025-says-displaybank Source wireless charging techniques: http://www.powermat.com/how-it-works website with photos and examples of biomimicry: http://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/wilderness-resources/photos/7-amazing-examples-ofbiomimicry/copying-mother-nature information about geese: http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/eek/critter/bird/goose.htm information about bears: http://www.wildernessclassroom.com/www/schoolhouse/boreal_library/animals/blackbear.htm Sources: Schmidt, A., and C.R. Schmidt. 1991. Bears and their forest cousins. Gareth Stevens Children's Books, Milwaukee.

Stensaas, M. 1993. Canoe country wildlife: A field guide to the North Woods and Boundary Waters. PfieferHamilton, Duluth.

Whitaker, J.O. 1998. National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Mammals. Alfred A. Knopf, New York.

Our thesistools site:

http://www.thesistools.com/web/?id=178004

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Appendix

Appendix A (examples of biomimicy) examples of biomimicry Sharkskin = Swimsuit Sharkskin-inspired swimsuits received a lot of media attention during the 2008 Summer Olympics when the spotlight was shining on Michael Phelps.

Seen under an electron microscope, sharkskin is made up of countless overlapping scales called dermal denticles (or "little skin teeth"). The denticles have grooves running down their length in alignment with water flow. These grooves disrupt the formation of eddies, or turbulent swirls of slower water, making the water pass by faster. The rough shape also discourages parasitic growth such as algae and barnacles.

Scientists have been able to replicate dermal denticles in swimsuits (which are now banned in major competition) and the bottom of boats. When cargo ships can squeeze out even a single percent in efficiency, they burn less bunker oil and don't require cleaning chemicals for their hulls. Scientists are applying the technique to create surfaces in hospitals that resist bacteria growth — the bacteria can't catch hold on the rough surface.

Burr = Velcro Velcro is widely known example of biomimicry. You may have worn shoes with velcro straps as a youngster and you can certainly look forward to wearing the same kind of shoes in retirement.

Velcro was invented by Swiss engineer George de Mestral in 1941 after he removed burrs from his dog and decided to take a closer look at how they worked.

The small hooks found at the end of the burr needles inspired him to create the now ubiquitous Velcro.

Think about it: without this material, the world wouldn't know Velcro jumping — a sport in which people dressed in full suits of Velcro attempt to throw their bodies as high up on a wall as possible.

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Whale = Turbine Whales have been swimming around the ocean for a long time, and evolution has crafted them into a super-efficient form of life. They are able to dive hundreds of feet below the surface and stay there for hours. They sustain their massive size by feeding animals smaller than the eye can see, and they power their movement with Ăźber-efficient fins and a tail.

In 2004, scientists at Duke University, West Chester University and the U.S. Naval Academy discovered that the bumps at the front edge of a whale fin greatly increase its efficiency, reducing drag by 32 percent and increasing lift by 8 percent. Companies like Whale Power are borrowing this concept and creating wind turbine blades that greatly boost the amount of energy created per turbine. Other companies are applying the idea to cooling fans, airplane wings and propellers.

Bug = Water collection The Stenocara beetle is a master water collector. The small black bug lives in a harsh, dry desert environment and is able to survive thanks to the unique design of its shell. The Stenocara's back is covered in small, smooth bumps that serve as collection points for condensed water or fog. The entire shell is covered in a slick, Teflon-like wax and is channeled so that condensed water from morning fog is funneled into the beetle's mouth. It's brilliant in its simplicity.

Researchers at MIT have been able to build on a concept inspired by the Stenocara's shell and first described

by Oxford University's Andrew Parker. They have crafted a material that collects water from the air more efficiently than existing designs. About 22 countries around the world use nets to collect water from the air, so such a boost in efficiency could have a big impact.

Birds = Jets Birds have been able to boost the distance they're able to fly by more than 70 percent though the use of the V-shape. Scientists have discovered that when a flocks takes on the familiar V-formation, when one bird flaps its wings it creates a small updraft that lifts the bird behind. As each bird passes, they add their own energy to the stroke helping all the birds maintain flight. By rotating their order through the stack, they spread out the exertion.

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A group of researchers at Stanford University thinks passenger airlines could realize fuel savings by taking the same tactic. The team, lead by Professor Ilan Kroo, envisions scenarios where jets from West Coast airports meet up and fly in formation en route to their East Coast destinations. By traveling in a V-shape with planes taking turns in front as birds do, Kroo and his researchers think aircraft could use 15 percent less fuel compared to flying solo.

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Appendix B (information about Geese and Bears) Geese I am going to search for all kind of information about geese and about their migration because on forehand you never know which information will help to give you the inspiration for your product.

Canada Goose Each spring and fall, hundreds of thousands of Canada geese (not "Canadian" geese) pass through Wisconsin in their famous V-formations, honking up a storm. At the same time, people flock to Wisconsin wetlands to see one of the most amazing wildlife events in the Midwest. But what do we know about geese anyway? Where do they come from and where are they going?

When you look at a large flock of Canada geese, they all look pretty much alike; grayish-brown body feathers, white underside from the neck to the tail, long black neck and head with a white chin/cheek patch. In North America, there are at least 12 different groups of this species, each having a different breeding and wintering area and they travel different migration routes. In Wisconsin, you may see four different sub-species of the Canada goose. The "interior" Canada geese are more commonly seen during peak migration times 'just passing through.' The "giants" are commonly seen year-round. The largest of the sub-species, they weigh up to 18 lbs. Giants can be seen in city settings hanging out at park-like ponds and open areas with mown grass. The city goose population is growing fast. Some people like to feed them, others think they are a nuisance. The other two sub-species, the "lesser" and "Richardson's" Canada geese are uncommon. They are very small geese, about the size of a small duck. They nest in Alaska.

Many of Wisconsin's Canada geese belong to the "Mississippi Valley Population," called MVP. These are geese that exclusively fly from Canada through Wisconsin along the "Mississippi River" flyway which includes Horicon Marsh and other south-eastern Wisconsin refuges. Wildlife biologists know this because they track the birds by placing bands on their necks and legs.

There are more than 1 million Canada geese in the MVP, with about 100,000 - 200,000 stopping at Horicon Marsh each fall. Flocks select a wetland area and stay near there for 6-10 weeks to refuel and rest during their long journey. While there, they eat grass and grain. Each goose eats about ½ lb. of food per day. That's a lot of food! If goose populations were not controlled by our hunting season each year, they would eat themselves out of house and home.

Beginning in late spring, each pair of geese in the MVP finds a nesting territory and selects a nesting site in north-central Canada along the western shore of James Bay and the southern edge of Hudson Bay. After a large nest is built of grasses and downy feathers, a clutch of 4-6 eggs is laid. The goose (female) incubates them with her warm body for about 26 days while the gander (male) guards the nest. Soon after the goslings (young) hatch, the family

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searches for tender stems of marsh grass. Within 70 days, the goslings test their new wings and learn to fly. The family will stay together and migrate as fall approaches.

Some families of geese arrive in Wisconsin's wetlands as early as mid-September and others wait until October or November. Peak migrations happen in Wisconsin state between October and November. Flocks of geese fly in a v-shaped group and some will travel non-stop for up to 16 hours to cover the 850 miles from Hudson Bay to central Wisconsin. Flocks will also make shorter flights depending on wind patterns and where food is available. During migration, geese can travel as fast as 70 miles per hour with a good tail wind at an altitude of up to 9,000 feet. Geese, like most of our migratory birds, often migrate during the night. Scientists are not positive how geese know their way along the migration route.

Once the flocks arrive at Wisconsin's wetlands, they quickly get into a routine of feeding mostly in area crop fields in the morning and late afternoon. During the daytime, geese mainly loaf around.

Just before sunset you can see the geese fly back in several groups to rest for the night at nearby wetlands. Watch for spectacular flights of thousands of geese landing at marshes, especially Horicon and Theresa Marshes. This schedule is kept by the geese for about 4 to 8 weeks and then they are ready to head south.

Family groups of geese mostly stay together for the first year of life. If separated, geese will always rejoin others of their own kind. Many geese stay at Wisconsin marshes until the cold freezes their roost sites on open water and snow covers their food. Geese continue their migration to wildlife refuges in southern Illinois, western Kentucky and Tennessee, about 450 miles south of Wisconsin.

Around late February/early March, geese return north along the same routes, stopping at Wisconsin wetlands as the snow and ice melt, before continuing to Hudson Bay in April. Horicon Marsh and all of east-central Wisconsin is an important "staging ground" for geese - a place that provides water, shelter, and the food which gives geese the energy to travel the many miles of their annual journey.

I got this information from the website: http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/eek/critter/bird/goose.htm

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Bears I am going to search for all kind of information about bears especially about their living place. I found a lot of information about the black bear so that bear will be my focus for my example.

Black Bears These large beautiful animals are found throughout the Border Country. During the summer they spend plenty of time snooping around campsites looking for campers' food. These bears are not interested in hurting you; their main goal is to get to your food!

Black bears are unique to North America. They are found on the Pacific coast all the way across the Rockies up through the Great Lakes and over to the east coast down to Florida. Bears live primarily in the woods and they have a remarkable way of adapting to people moving in to their territory. In some places where humans have moved into wooded areas, bears can be a nuisance rummaging through peoples' trash.

Black bears of the Border Country are usually black but in other parts of the country they may have lighter brown or cinnamon colored fur. They stand about 2-3 feet high and are about 4-5 feet long.

The males are much larger than females. Grizzly bears are sometimes mistaken for black bears but they are much larger and they have a muscular hump over their shoulders.

Bears eat berries, nuts, tubers, roots, honey, worms, buds, leaves, fruit, twigs, grubs, fish, insects, and small mammals. In the spring, black bears even eat the inside layer of young trees.

They must eat between 11 and 18 pounds of food each day to stay healthy.

Bears are nocturnal which means they are most active at night. However, it is quite common to see them in the day.

Male bears need much larger territories than do females. Males can roam in territories from 6-230 square miles. Females only need areas between 1-36 square miles. Bears usually live alone except during the mating season.

The oldest black bear lived for 32 years in captivity. Most bears in the wild do not live that long because some are hunted and others die from living in harsh environments.

Bears are powerful swimmers and they can easily swim across lakes in the summer time. They are also good climbers and runners. Their normal walk looks a little clumsy but these animals can run in short bursts of speeds up to 30 miles per hour. That's fast!

cubs are born between January and February. They weigh about half a pound at birth. The female bears usually wait until they are about three years old before having cubs. The new mothers usually only have 1 cub the first winter. The tiny newborns nurse while their mother hibernates.

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They nurse for about a year and they stay with their mother for the first 1.5 to 2.5 years. Mother bears are very protective and will guard their cubs from danger. Sometimes the cubs climb trees to avoid danger while the mother stands on guard.

Bears hibernate for about 6 months through the winter months. This means they rest and stay sleeping in a cave or crevice. Hibernation is an important adaptation for many different animals living in places with extremely cold winters. These animals sleep during the winter when food is difficult to find. Their bodily functions slow way down and their body temperature drops to 88 degrees. This drop in body temperature allows the bears to survive on fewer calories per day. Before hibernation, the bears need to store up a 100 pound layer of fat to keep them well fed throughout the winter. They try to stuff themselves full of high energy foods like nuts and berries to build up the fat layer. It is interesting that bears do not produce any bodily waste when they are hibernating.

Their bodies reabsorb the waste that would normally come out as urine and use it to build muscles.

Bears actually wake up stronger than they were before hibernation! Most bears in the canoe country wake up around mid- April and they begin looking for food. Food is difficult to find until later on the spring so many bears will eat aspen and willow catkins until plants begin blossoming.

A good way to look for bears is to watch the ground for bear tracks. Bears have large footprints with 5 toes. They look a little bit like large flat footed human tracks. The front feet are about 4 inches long and 5 inches wide while the back feet are between 7-9 inches long and 5 inches wide.

Another good clue to look out for are bear droppings. Their droppings look a lot like dog droppings but often contain signs of berries, animal fur, nutshells, seeds, and grasses.

Bears will also scratch trees with their teeth and claws so look out for scar marks about 5 feet from the ground. Look out for turned up stumps and decayed logs where bears have been searching for insects.

The black bear is unique to North America and is another member of the forest that makes the Border Country such a special place.

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Appendix C (Questionnaire of all groups together)

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Appendix D (Processed questionnaire)

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S109229 – B1.2

47 Hikers’ cabins

Charlotte van der Sommen

S109229 – B1.2