WLKR
Current walker designs ignore the social implications of neglected aesthetics. The cold, sterilized alloys of existing walkers appear out of place anywhere other than medical centers, even though millions of their users lead active lifestyles in everyday environments.
Can a walker be designed to support its user functionally,
aesthetically
and
socially?
P O P U L AT ION US ING MOB ILIT Y D E VICE S
40
A NY
30 CAN ES 20 WA LKERS 10 ROLL ATORS
%
CRU TCHES AGE
18+
60
70
80
90
As a ge s inc re a s e , t he percentage of users needing a mobility devic e goe s up. Alt hough the majority of users are over 70, t he re is s t ill a c ons id erable population of younger, active users
* St a t is t ic s from “Mobility Repor t” by Disabled World ™
PE R C ENTAG E O F U S E BY ACT IVE ADU LTS 8%
MOB ILIT Y D E VICE M ARK E T QUANT IT Y
67%
9%
1
% 25
C R U TC H E S C A NE S
81%
0%
Walkers make up 25% of the devices used by active adults, yet only 9% of all active mobili ty device products. T his leaves a large opening in the market for a new w alker.
WA L K E R S *Sta tistics f rom “M obility Repor t” by Disa bled Wor ld™ ** M obility products a s ca ta logued by 1800wheelchair
The first sign ifica n t fea t ure to a ppea r T here
are
many
inne xp e ns ive
on a w a lker is t he sea t . There a re ver y
op t ion s f or walke r s. Th i s p or tion
few
of t he marke t is h igh ly satur ate d .
ava ilible rega rdless of t he price ra nge.
$35
$40
$45
$50
$6 0
$7 5
E xi sting walke r d es ign s a ll look t he same . The mate r ials a re a lumin um, plastic and r ubbe r, a nd t here is lit t le to no consid e r ation for t he v isua l or social asp e cts of the design .
ot her
$9 5
fea t ures
$1 0 5
or
funct ion s
$1 2 0
$175
While w a lkers ser ve a valuable funct ion , t he exist ing marke t and design s do not reflect it .
Conclusion There is ample room on the market for a high-end walker that supports its user functionally,
aesthetically
and
socially
L IO ISHIDA Age 27 Injured in car accident Doesn’t want a walker, but needs one.
“ H onestly, I just don’t feel good using a w alker. I may be handicapped but I still care wh at I look l ike. Show me something cool that w orks w ell and I w ill rock it.”
Lio lives in a two-bedroom apartment in Seattle, and works as an aeronautical engineer. His hobbies include concerts, bar crawls, and food-trucks with his friends and co-workers. Due to his injury, these social events are difficult for him to attend without getting fatigued.
Inspiration Furniture for
the
was
the
walker’s
the
function
and
it
can
of look
primary
design.
Furniture
supporting great
inspiration
while
its
does user,
doing
it.
PURE
WARM
FRIENDLY
LIGHT
Early Concepts The
first
sketches
experimented
with
forms and stance. These designs assisted the decision process by eliminating bulky and on
unweildly forms
that
shapes, emphasised
and
focusing
support
and
lightness, like triangles and a narrow frame.
Early Mockups The first scale mockups experimented with function. Seats, bars, and canes built into the body were all considered.. These designs assisted the decision process by giving an average
idea
of
the
dimensions
needed.
Mockups The second round of mockups were done alongside the sketches. Model building helped me understand what was possible and what was not Unfortunately, many good looking drawings were just not functional in real life. To find a design that that looked good and model
functioned making,
well
meant
sketching
and
a
lot
of
patience.
Concepts The second round of sketches refined the design direction towards it’s final iteration. Part of the process meant considering not only the aesthetics, but the functions as well.
Final Concept Although much of the design inspiration came from Japanese and Scandinavian furniture, the idea to have its resting form actually be a piece of furniture did not occur until the end.
Position I
Position II
ORTHOGRAPHICS
STORYBOARD
Process Bending the veneers took the majority of the work. If I were to do it again I would spread glue on the veneers,
place them on the
mold form, then place that inside a vacuum sealed bag.
This would ensure an even
pressure around the bent wood as it dries.
Gear Boxes One of the greatest design challenges was how to make the walker open and close in a simple, intuitive way that still provided the support necessary without adding complex buttons or mechanics to the exterior. This was solved by placing a specific set of gears inside a wood housing. By opening the handles 90 degrees, a worm gear rotates open
five in
other
opposite
gears,
allowing
directions
exactly
the 15
legs
to
degrees.
CLOSED
OPEN
In Use In public the “bar� would be a convenient resting place
to
lean
on
when
the
user
is
physically
fatigued, leaving the users hands free and providing a surface for them to rest things on, like drinks. Most importantly perhaps is that the height would keep the user engaged in conversation, whereas a seat would remove the user from eye discussions. Bristle tips on the bottom would allow it to glide over
surfaces
easily,
and
the
rubber
inside
the
bristles would be a brake when pressure is applied.
UPRIGHT
FRONT
BACK
FRONT
BACK
SIDE
TOP
BRISTLE TIP
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