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mobili
Mission: Create a mobility aid that conforms to the user and the environment
Demographic: - 18+. It can be used and embraced by younger ages but geared towards the elderly.
Behaviors Users would be those who maintain a fairly active lifestyle and have to work around the constraints of being unable to use their full appendages, they may have to commute from place to place and have work obligations or school obligations they need to attend to regardless of their physical condition. Attitude Characteristics Many of the users are of medium to diminished strength, perhaps a slower reaction time. They get frustrated with counter-intuitive products. They may live at home or in a home where they have a certain degree of independence
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Uneven ground can make traversing difficult
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Not all devices are made for varying body types
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Devices have limited to no adjustment
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A device can be detrimental to the Users self Image Inclines are difficult for anyone restricted to devices
Inspiration/Ideation
Initially a crutch with a built in carrier in the handle, a 90 Degree rotation feature and a new innovative type of foot.
Initial mock-ups had a steel foot with a spring to absorb shock to a conduit inside but explored other ways to do this.
The 3rd Foot version was sleek but had more points of Weakness
The second version was like a self absorbing spring using the concept taken from bouncing shoes
Several iterations later the foot has taken the form reminiscent to a prosthetic running limb
Final Theme
The themes revolved around what would be appealing to most everyone. These themes were Traditional, Playful, Timeless and Industrial and Sturdy.
Mobilis in mobili Latin for moving in the moving element
A simple L hinge makes adjusting height a snap, just push in the hinges with one hand and with the other slide the pole to the length you need.
The inner foot can come in varying tension strengths, depending on the tension it can allow very little spring to a lot of spring.
The foot is covered in rubber allowing traction and its unique shape also doubles as a scoop and grabber
The upper pad has a small divot in it, allowing a bags handle to slip in it and the user can control the swinging with their arm.
Memory Foam pad with sealant
Extruded Aluminum powder coated post
Cast Aluminum Handle
Cast aluminum base cup with 2 L hinges
Extruded Aluminum post
Spring Steel Molded outer foot
Spring Steel Molded inner foot Outer cover of high Density Rubber
Options
Carbon Fiber Outer Foot
Spring Steel
Injection Molded Nylon and steel
Varying Colors and materials can be made, giving choices from Titanium to natural resources. These options allow the user to have a more personalized crutch as opposed to a standard aluminum crutch. The foot comes in three different tiers, depending on what would serve the users needs most as well as price range. The carbon fiber option would not necessarily require the middle insert.
Benefits Adjustable to almost every height. Quick and easy to adjust Promotes a positive image Crutch Foot flexible and adaptable to user and environment Customized