Tok Tok Graduation Project by Rajdeep Savenkar

GRADUATION PROJECT Tok Tok: Personal Mobility Device for Mountain cities Sponsor : Ms. La Design, Gangtok

Volume : 1 of 1 STUDENT : RAJDEEP SAVENKAR PROGRAMME : Bachelors of Design (B. Des) GUIDE : KRISHNESH MEHTA CO - GUIDE: BALAJI RENGARAJAN

2018 INDUSTRIAL DESIGN FACULTY (PRODUCT DESIGN)

Copyright © 2018 Bachelor of Design, Industrial Design (Product Design), 2014-2018 National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad,India. All illustrations and photographs in this document are Copyright © 2018 of the author, or respective people / organisations wherever mentioned. Please note that the colours used in the design deliverables throughout the document may not be the correct colour due to difference in printing process and pigments used for producing this document. Written and Designed by Rajdeep Savenkar sketchpenguy@gmail.com Processed atNational Institute of Design (NID) Paldi, Ahmedabad - 380007 Gujarat, India www.nid.edu Digital offset printed in Ahmedabad December 2018

Graduation Project • 2018 • Rajdeep Savenkar • B.Des. Product Design

The Evaluation Jury recommends RAJDEEP SAVENKAR for the

Degree of the National Institute of Design IN INDUSTRIAL DESIGN (PRODUCT DESIGN)

herewith, for the project titled "Tok Tok: A personal mobility device for Mountain Cities" on fulfilling the further requirements by*

Chairman Members :

Jury Grade : *Subsequent remarks regarding fulfilling the requirements :

Activity Chairperson, Education

originality statement

I hereby grant the National Institute of Design the right to archive and to make available my graduation project/thesis/dissertation in whole or in part in the Institute’s Knowledge Management Centre in all forms of media, now or hereafter known, subject to the provisions of the Copyright Act. I have either used no substantial portions of copyright material in my document or I have obtained permission to use copyright material.

Rajdeep Savenkar Date: 17 December 2018

Graduation Project • 2018 • Rajdeep Savenkar • B.Des. Product Design

I hereby grant the National Institute of Design the right to archive and to make available my graduation project/thesis/dissertation in whole or in part in the Instituteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Knowledge Management Centre in all forms of media, now or hereafter known, subject to the provisions of the Copyright Act. I have either used no substantial portions of copyright material in my document or I have obtained permission to use copyright material.

Rajdeep Savenkar Date: 17 December 2018

Document specifications The document is set in A4 size (landscape size). This document uses Miter Bold and Roboto Mono for the titles and captions respectively, and Rubik for the body text. All the font families are free Google Typefaces. Adobe InDesign CC was used to layout the document while Adobe Photoshop CC was used to edit the photographs and digitalize notes and illustrations.

Graduation Project • 2018 • Rajdeep Savenkar • B.Des. Product Design

acknowledgement

My sincere thanks to all who were with me throughout the project and my journey in Sikkim. A big thanks to my mother for supporting my journey in design. Thanks to my guide, Balaji Rengarajan for being extremely considerate and approachable. From the bottom of my heart special thanks to the Echostream Studio and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s founders. Special thanks to Sonam Tashi Gyaltsen, for believing in me and being a mentor and friend.

This experience wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have been the same without friends and well wishers. Regards to the excellent set of people I share my batch with. I hope that we continue to inspire each other and accomplish the dreams we shared. Thanks to my local sikkimese friends Kunga, Tenzing, Meto, Tsundu and Upendra for being lovely hosts. Thanks to Himadri, Akshara and Andreas for being wonderful companions. Last but not least, thanks to Palden Sherpa and his team of artisans for bringing this project to life. His skill and determination was a boon in midst of all the hardships of prototyping.

Thanks to Chewang Lepcha for being the big brother I never had. I share my gratitude towards Abhilash RK and Deergha Joshi, for helping me with this document and beyond.

contents

//10 Introduction National Institute of Design

About LA

In conversations

Mobility Design = Automobile Design?

Mobility Design Map

Geosensitive Map

Problem Area Brief

//68 Research

//32

Research Methodology

User Research

Load Study

//16

Mobility in Mountains

Understanding Mobility

Mountain Context

User Profiles

Mobility Map of Gangtok

Task Analysis

Why are we mobile?

Mobility Characteristics

User Needs

History of Mobility

Last Mile

Redefined Brief

Elements of Mobility

Opportunity Areas

Graduation Project • 2018 • Rajdeep Savenkar • B.Des. Product Design

//94

//126

//156

Conceptualisations

Prototyping

Vision

Design Parameters

Mockups

128

Vision // Tok Tok

158

Product Analysis

Prototype 1

133

Desired Design Impact

162

Local Mechanism

Prototype 2

140

Craft Oriented Production

164

Further Mechanism Study

102

Final Prototype

142

Conclusions

166

Ideations

110

In-use Scenario

146

Bibliography

167

Back-pack Mode

148

Internet References

167

Design Specifications

153

National Institute of Design The National Institute of Design is internationally acclaimed as one of the foremost multi-disciplinary institutions in the field of design education & research. The Business Week, USA has listed NID as one of the top 25 European & Asian programmes in the world. The institute functions as an autonomous body under the Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Govt. of India. NID is recognized by the Department of Scientific & Industrial Research under Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, as a scientific and industrial design research organization. Soon after independence, people were sufficiently aware that the process of development demanded a reinvestigation of the postulates and resources that determine the pattern & pace of growth envisioned for India.

The Industrial Policy Resolution of 1953 articulated these concerns and also indicated broad guidelines. It was in this setting that the Government of India invited the renowned design team of Charles and Ray Eames to recommend a programme of design to serve as an aid to small industry. On the basis of their document, ‘The India Report’, The Indian Govt. set up the National Institute of Design in 1961 as an autonomous National Institution for research, service and training in Industrial Design & Visual Communication. On the 17th July 2014 Honorable President of India gave his assent to the National Institute of Design Bill, 2014 and notification to declare NID as an ‘Institution of National Importance’ was published in Government of India’s Gazette on 18th July, 2014. As an institute of national importance since

Graduation Project • 2018 • Rajdeep Savenkar • B.Des. Product Design

2014, NID has started providing degrees and Doctorates (Ph.D.). The institute also receives special recognition and funding from the government.

DIPLOMA PROJECTS AT NID • The undergraduate programme at the institute is an intensive, four year course which is concluded with a four-six months project in the industry. • The project is aimed at allowing students a first hand experience in a professional set-up while being guided by experienced faculty members.

National Institute of Design heritage campus, Ahmedabad

About la

ECHOSTREAM Echostream is an evolving community of professional designers, dreamers and doers from Sikkim with professional expertise in industrial and communication design all trained at the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad. It started as a collective which aimed to provide design services to the Government of Sikkim and communities with the prime focus on larger development agendas in Sikkim. Over the years Echostream developed a vision to focus on development issues and challenges related to the Indian Himalayas.

LA La is an in-house brand of Echostream. La is a mountain product brand which emerged as a mountain derived solution to the challenges facing the world built and run on the ethos of the mountains. La, literally translates to “passes” as in the Nathula pass and Lachung pass. La, also, is the suffix of honour, a Sikkimese version of ‘ji’. La’s major focus is in evolving collaborations between designers, creators and craftspeople, and craft and the consumers in times of incessant development in current and future paradigms.

Graduation Project • 2018 • Rajdeep Savenkar • B.Des. Product Design

in conversations

The journey began in October 2017, when I was in conversation with Sonam Tashi Gyaltsen, co-founder at Echostream, discussing the current design scenario in India and possibilities. Having expressed my fanaticism with car design, I was invited me to Echostream Studio by Sonam Tashi to observe, analyse and pitch a brief to work on. Over the course of 8 days, we shared opinions, speculations about the automotive industry, possible briefs with bamboo as an explorable material and even some fanciful ideas like bamboo racecar and bike parts. Soon enough, the reality of things hit us when we started comparing the existing automotive scenario in India with its potential to be much more. Considering the challenges in Indian context, the

mountain context seemed like a much more difficult level. Transportation in the mountain states has always been much more difficult to develop. The lack of space, fragility of the land, lack of direct connectivity are just few of the challenges in the mountain states holding transportation expansion behind. Or is it? Are we just picking up vehicles from one part of the world and dumping them in another out of obligation? Are cars and bikes being sold like smartphones, with minor upgrades and newer versions every year? Are we shaping the right future by adopting electric vehicles? How are we planning to generate and sustainably advance towards electricity as an

Graduation Project • 2018 • Rajdeep Savenkar • B.Des. Product Design

emerging fuel? Have we already solved all the possible transportation needs we could have in India, if not the world? These questions and many more, were pushing my reasoning and expanding my understanding about a fairly known, yet ignored word- Mobility. Having seen the unheeded gaps in the transportation systems in Sikkim, the project then began by finding out more about this wider approach to moving around.

Graduation Project • 2018 • Rajdeep Savenkar • B.Des. Product Design

Understanding Mobility

Why are we mobile?

The holistic nature of our approach made understanding mobility, the prime requirement. This meant taking the learnings of Product Design, System Design and Transportation design to trace the connections with lifestyle of users and it’s effect on society and vice versa. Mobility could be considered as a more complete approach to movement of persons and other things. The considerations are more diverse and has a greater cause - effect in the way of things in our world.

WHY BE MOBILE? To start off, what is this mobility we speak of? By definition, ‘mobility is the property of a thing (inanimate object or a being) that can be moved’ (Any sort of movement of persons or things, regardless the use of motor vehicles). We move around to do several things, and the process of getting there is being mobile. From daily routine commute to enjoying the leisure of moving around, being mobile has one purpose, yet many.

Graduation Project • 2018 • Rajdeep Savenkar • B.Des. Product Design

Initial mapping to question the intent behind mobility

History of Mobility

The approximate surface area of earth is 51,01,00,000 km², in which 14,89,40,000 km² is land surface. Over the course of our existence on Earth, humans have evolved, migrated and settled in different parts of the world. Having to rely on our surroundings, we created tools to help us hunt, seek water and shelter. Apart from the shelter, other resources would have to be sought for in the wild, away from shelter. The survival instinct pushed humankind to mobilize for survival. Homo Erectus is widely known for it’s long femur bones and using hand tools, which are two different activities but have a co-relation of effect. To use the hand tools, Homo Erectus had to free it’s

hands, evolving it to be bipedal. Settled in different regions, we grew by adapting and utilising available resources. Civilizations rose and people lived in harmony as a society. This invited organized inter connectivity amongst ourselves. As a social species, our need to communicate and explore has an unquenchable thirst. The search for more resources and possible civilizations started and trade was the driving factor for large distance mobility. Along with exploration, trade was practised and the earliest trade routes span across continents. For these explorers and traders, walking could

Graduation Project • 2018 • Rajdeep Savenkar • B.Des. Product Design

have taken them only so far. Only by developing their transportation, were they capable of discovering newer realities and performing trade. Explorations extended to other mediums like sea, sky and even space, expanding our knowledge along with the rate and capacity of our communication and exploration. Soon explorations concluded on the understanding that the Earth was spherical and had a definite area with indefinite diversity. The diversity over ages has lead to an amazing exchange of goods, cultures, economies and learning. This immense physical gap has been realised over time and humankind

has worked hard at establishing communication and connection across the entire surface of the Earth. Presently humankind has not one but several ways of moving across the globe. Each mobility solution has it’s advantages and disadvantages, keeping in mind the context of it’s utility. Yet even today, several communities are unable to fully benefit from the basic expression of exploration and connectivity. The motive behind mobility might be similar to older times, but modern society has added its own layers to the task. Transportation has become a standard of luxurious status, owing to associations with social maturity, responsibility and an aspect of urban and individual development. It has grown on to become an experience in itself. Emotional and psychological effects of travelling are often linked to feeling of freedom, exposure to new experiences, fulfilling daily routine, accomplishing a task and

just relaxing. The several hundred options available while purchasing a car can be a fine example of this instance, where one can make choices of performance, model, size, form, materials and custom options based on affordability and user scenario. This gives the users the choice to make a combination of distinct features to suit one’s personal expression of mobility. Along with this freedom of choices comes a strong desire to own ‘your own personal machine’. Soon enough, the need to mobilize pushed businesses and governments to develop mobility into a sector of it’s own. This sector has now grown to become a profitable industry independently. The corporations of the world were quick to realize this, pumping money and effort to cause a worldwide influence. In today’s corporate-controlled world, large corporations have taken over the task of innovating and providing widespread solutions to all of humankind’s problems. A team of experts and engineers creating the next technology in a creativity-

checked lab to support the capital of the corporation.

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway in the darjeeling dockyard.

This setting invites another classic dilemma of addressing the absolute need of being mobile. Not creating an extra product, adding to the existing pile of products. The core purpose of a mobility product would be to provide the choice to travel across the scenario where nothing else can efficiently work. It should also enhance one’s capacity in form of pace, safety, load carried, comfort or stress reduced and more. On the contrary, even something utterly useful when overdone can complicate things, giving rise to newer problems and solutions. The automobile industry is the best example for this. The unavoidable consequence of mass production practices along with other business techniques has molded the transportation sector in the information age. The branching of mobility has slowed down to saturate certain popular products like automobiles and motorbikes. Current focus on sales strategies has led to over exploitation of these products to the extend where we now face climate change as a direct

result of combustion of fossil fuels to support our mobility.

easily avoid the troublesome effects of mobility devices.

With a chance to do things differently in the future, the next steps in transportation sector could be completely different. The current occurrence of the 4th industrial revolution puts the future of mobility on a higher pedestal. Technologies like artificial intelligence, accessible electronics, smart and biomaterials, alternate manufacturing techniques and widespread digital connectivity will certainly enhance the experience of mobility. Imagine a future where one 3D prints a degradable drone device in a restaurant in Tokyo, Japan to deliver Stir Fried Ramen for lunch in Mumbai, India.

Future alternate fuels also promise clean transportation, but everything has an expiry date. The time might come when devices become fuel free or self sufficient and maybe giving rise to fuel rather than consuming it.

The improvement in the affordability and access to empower one’s mobility choices is something to look forward to. If we choose to divert our efforts to produce alternate methods of transporting instead of saturating the world with more cars and bikes, we can

Graduation Project • 2018 • Rajdeep Savenkar • B.Des. Product Design

A mobility system influences almost everything around it. The key to build a efficient one is to closely understand the needs and conditions where mobility can intervene. The solution is to think micro and macro to suit the scenario. Mobility will flourish when it is a combination of systems and products as fit. If not approached like that, cars are here to stay as flying cars and diving cars.

Elements of Mobility

Mobility can be measured in speed, comfort, access amongst other variables. The core elements include distance to be covered, the object moving and time taken. The influential aspects of mobility are as follows: 1. The power of accessibility : Networking and connectivity is an evolving way of life due to improved resources and amenities. The biggest power one should have is the right to choose from alternatives of mobility types. This gives the user various permutations to be mobile by making independent choices. 2. The time of transit: Ancient trade proves walking to also be an effective way of crossing large areas, but required large amount of time. With modern technology, a major focus for mobility design is to reduce the time of transit by covering

more distances with greater speeds, or reducing the distance of transit by alternatives to road connectivity. 3. Effort and comfort of travel: What makes an improved model of a vehicle superior to itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s predecessor? The improvements are centred towards a better user experience and reducing cognitive load and physical effort of the user. Apart from these prime factors, mobility spills out to shape the infrastructure around it or vice-versa, causing an impact on the community and having a notable effect of oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s livelihood and lifestyle. It also has a direct impact on industries dealing in fuel, materials, maintenance and so on. Understanding these elements helps compare the contextual needs and impact of the intervention.

Mobility Design = AUTOMOBILE Design?

The more recognizable domain of design, Automobile Design is one of the aspects of Mobility Design. The current definition of automobile design is as follows: “It is the aesthetic, aspirational, ergonomic and functional design and development of motorized vehicles”

Tata Motors’ sportscar TAMO, displayed at the AutoCar Expo 2018 in Noida.

Graduation Project • 2018 • Rajdeep Savenkar • B.Des. Product Design

While automobile design now largely caters to an existing market of automobiles, mobility design has to zoom out and consider all possibilities to mobilize. The growing saturation in the automotive sector was a main cause to reconsider other mobility possibilities and take a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Power of 10â&#x20AC;&#x2122; approach in the project. This helped widen the spectrum of observation and analysis for the problem solving which could be broken down to a specific systemic scenario. Observing the Indian Automotive scenario during past travels and journeys and recent ones around Sikkim gave rise to few reflections regarding the possible future of the Indianized Mobility Design. The Indian context has diverse adaptations of mobility- with a dash of improvisation and jugaad to better the efficiency and suit the specific needs of a place. In spite of this, manufactured vehicles

constitute a larger portion of Indian mobility devices. The scope of specialized innovation through wellfunded, huge corporations is greatly possible, but currently it seems to be saturated and stuck in international competition. This insight was strongly supported by a visit to the AutoCar and AutoComponents Expo. The promise of a more comfortable and affordable car has barely been justified by the increasing traffic concerns and fuel prices. On the other side lies the not-soglamorous Components industry. Supplying thousands of components and parts to the ruthless automotive industry, it too suffers from immense competition. Even the smallest of nuts and bolts will help support hundreds of factory workers and manufacturers. This shows the massive impact of the automotive industry, where even a slight change can flip things overnight. With this inside story in mind, the intent is not to villianize the automotive industry, but to understand itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s scale

of impact. This can help design future transportation products and systems better and prevent several issues we face today in the future. Consideration of automobile design as one of several mediums to enable mobility makes the co-relation clearer. In simpler terms, automobile is a smaller part in the larger world of mobility.

Nuts displayed at the AutoComponents Expo at their finest.

Mobility design map

In order to further our understanding of mobility, we analysed it from various perspectives. This helped us to observe diverse cause-effect relationships in the wider world of mobility. The various perspectives included: 1. Who, What, When, Why and How of mobility. 2. Political, social, environmental, infrastructural, environmental aspects. 3. Mobility Operations and Vehicular factors. 4. Load- specific factors This mapping brought to light the multiple factors affecting and getting affected by mobility.

Graduation Project • 2018 • Rajdeep Savenkar • B.Des. Product Design

A significant relationship understood through the mobility map was the correlation between urbanization and mobility. This relationship would form the basis of understanding development patterns of region specific mobility. This co-relation can be traced owing to the factors stated below:

to access mobility networks. 5. Urbanization in most cases grows over time. This means mobility methods should evolve as urbanization grows.

1. 1. Urbanization needs efficient networks to allow trade, commute and business. Mobility hence contributes to the economy and business opportunities. 2. Further urbanization closely shapes itself around modes of transport, promoting infrastructure growth in an organic way unless planned. 3. Users often use multiples methods of mobility in a single journey, depending on the infrastructure of the city. 4. Multiple type of users should be able Related links between Mobility and Urbanisation were mapped

Graduation Project â&#x20AC;˘ 2018 â&#x20AC;˘ Rajdeep Savenkar â&#x20AC;˘ B.Des. Product Design

The problems faced by an individual, their requirements and the availability of a solution in their environment have a self sustaining correlation. In context of mobility, the community’s problems, requirements and solution can culminate in the ideal goal to facilitate efficient transport at reasonable costs while reducing effort and also boosting local economy. Thus the product effectively complements the user’s desires and the environment of its use. And at a micro level, the geographical features (environment), feasibility of using local resources and talents to solve people’s needs will lead to a strong local influence through mobility.

The feasibility-viability-desirability model was mapped for mobility

FEASIBILITY1. Availability of resources 2. Design constraints and parameters

DESIRABILITY1. User needs and priorities 2. Value addition

VIABILITY1. Contextually specific use 2. Service/system model

• Locally sourced/available materials, manufacturing techniques and labour.

• Empathizing and Satisfying prime needs of user • Additional benefits and features.

• Targeting relatable/local problem area • Locally appreciated sales strategy

GeoSensitive Design

While further exploring the idea of localized design-production-use, the term “geosensitive” was coined. Geosensitive is a portmanteau of the words ‘Geographically’ and ‘sensitive’, Geosensitive Design means the design based on the geographical conditions and constraints of a place while considering the local market, resources and user needs. It is heavily influenced by the design practices of the past where solutions were often derived locally from available resources and often worked better due to geographical compatibility. The detachment from the saturated transportation design, which faces international pressure, has to be carried forward by regional mobility

practices and improvements. Regional infrastructure and business will be the first to improve due to strong intra-connectivity. With such local changes, larger contribution of localized businesses and lifestyles can help bring various places at par with each other, despite differences in geography and other aspects. Moreover, the entire cycle of production, service and use will benefit the local community. This creates a sustainable model around the demand and supply. Taking the Geosensitive approach was greatly effective since the mountain context was greatly unforgiving in terms of unavailability of several resources and difficult livelihood conditions compared to cities in the plains.

Graduation Project • 2018 • Rajdeep Savenkar • B.Des. Product Design

Tailor-made mobility solutions for the mountainous regions is a largely disregarded area and a crucial opportunity.

Graduation Project • 2018 • Rajdeep Savenkar • B.Des. Product Design

Mobility in mountains

Mountain Context

Sikkim is a mountain state, lying between Nepal, Bhutan, China and the Indian state of West Bengal in the Himalayan Mountain Range. Spread over an area of 7096 square kilometre, it has a jagged network of roadways. The population in year 2017 was 6,53,800 and is estimated to be around 6,60,160 by year 2018. Owing to its mountainous terrain, it experiences the typical mobility challenges of the IHR (Indian Himalayan Region) like reduced connectivity, under-developed mobility infrastructure, close landslide proximity and high transportation time and costs. Coupled with the volatile mountain weather and steep mobility networks, the use of current transportation products and vehicles can only provide comfort to a certain extent at the expense of maintenance and time.

The intent of this project is to understand the geosensitive mobility in mountains and approach an aspect of this mobility through a product design process. The lack of focused products for Mobility in these conditions has held back mountain cities in terms of lifestyle, business and infrastructure. Over analysis, the set backs for products in mountains seemed to be the result of directly using products not meant for the mountain context. The expansion of mobility options was another contextual consideration to cater specifically to the unique terrain in the mountain cities. Looking at Mobility in mountains as the overview project domain, the focus was to improve personal mobility within the city of Gangtok and surrounding areas.

Graduation Project â&#x20AC;˘ 2018 â&#x20AC;˘ Rajdeep Savenkar â&#x20AC;˘ B.Des. Product Design

The aerial view of Gangtok from Deorali-Gangtok Ropeway

Mobility Map of Gangtok

The mountainous city of Gangtok; the capital in the state of Sikkim in Eastern India, is a good example of urbanization in mountainous terrain. It is a major tourist destination in India and receives most tourism from domestic tourists. Geosensitive Mobility in Gangtok: Applying the philosophy of GeoSenstive Design to deep dive into contextually driven research areas, the city of Gangtok was mapped over the mobility map. More elements contextual to Gangtok were added based on research and observations. The macro and micro working of a mobility product were parallely mapped. The project brief was then directed towards personal mobility of people and goods owing to connections as mapped.

Graduation Project • 2018 • Rajdeep Savenkar • B.Des. Product Design

The investigation of mobility was done with the help of the

mind map

Mobility Characteristics Of Gangtok The mobility of Gangtok depends dominantly on the mountain terrain infrastructure which has evolved organically over time. The construction and maintenance of the connecting roadways and pathways is taken care by the Border Road Organization [BRO] and Urban Development and Housing Department [UDHD]. Several modes of transport and terrains are unique to Gangtok as a mountain city, which also explain how differently mobility happens in the mountains. The connectivity is like that of the veins in the body where a main road connects major areas and several smaller pathways or roads connect to the main road like branches.

Key: NH10 City Road Network

The elevation map of Gangtok

Graduation Project • 2018 • Rajdeep Savenkar • B.Des. Product Design

The following characteristics define the mountainous mobility terrain character -

â&#x20AC;˘ The road follows the mountain terrain, making point to point connectivity challenging. It follows a ridge route that zigzags along the mountain terrain.

Ascending road in rural Sikkim in Dzongu, North Sikkim

â&#x20AC;˘ Turns and hairpins are a large part of the road type. This leads to several blindspots and drivers often drive with extra caution. The roads are single-laned in both directions and could be paved or unpaved depending on access

Hairpin turn on semi-paved road in Dzongu, North Sikkim

An instantly recognizable feature of roads are the curvy micro turns. This requires the drivers to be alert and is quite a skill to adjust an oncoming vehicle without accidents. The Right of Way belongs to the vehicle traveling upwards, for convenience.

Curvy roads leading to the neighbouring town of Ranka

Graduation Project • 2018 • Rajdeep Savenkar • B.Des. Product Design

The roads are mostly inclined between the range of 1Â° to 35Â° and consist of several hairpin turns connecting lower areas with higher areas of mountain surface. Most steep roads have a stairway running alongside for pedestrians. In night time, parking is a major pain point due to lack of private parking lots and single lanes.

Steep hairpin turn near Palace grounds in Gangtok

With minimum road space and lack of a strong public transport, most vehicles in Gangtok are private cars and public taxis. This has now imploded to cause serious traffic congestion on a daily basis owing to school-going and office commuting public. Morning traffic congestion exists near schools, in town (MG Marg) and taxi stands due students and office commuters. Evening congestion includes the same commuters and majorly taxi drivers, stuck in the race to grab parking space in the public parking lots.

Morning traffic near TNA school in Zero Point area

Graduation Project • 2018 • Rajdeep Savenkar • B.Des. Product Design

Public parking lots are heavily congested and harbor traffic around themselves at peak commute hours. These are usually 2 storied spaces and serve as prime mode of shared parking space by taxis. The tourist seasons causes a huge inflation in taxi services available to the locals andan increased road rush. Citizens have a pattern around purchasing vehicles. Owing to the common character of accessible spare parts and servicing, higher ground clearance and compact vehicle dimensions, the preferred car are manufactured by Maruti Suzuki, Mahindra and Hyundai. The constant wear and tear of parts like clutch gears, brakes and pedals is an accepted affair in owning a vehicle in the mountains.

Traffic congestion of tourist vehicles and taxis in Hungry Jack taxi stand

Along with private cars and taxis, state transport buses and motorbikes share the roadways. Narrow and inclined roads restrict the bus network from being an efficient mode of transport. Also motorbikes and bicycles are less preferred due to difficult in riding and exposure to unpredictable weather. Most motorbikes and bicycles used are high performance machines in the higher bracket of affordability.

High performance bikes parked near MG Marg

Graduation Project • 2018 • Rajdeep Savenkar • B.Des. Product Design

A Sikkim Nationalised Transport Bus rides through a snowy street

Another fascinating mode of transport is a cable car connecting the areas of Gangtok and Deorali. It is a major tourist attraction that offers a great birdâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eye view of Gangtok. It is not very affordable compared to taxi fare for the same distance but has the advantage of quicker transit period and no traffic obstruction. It is a possibility that cable cars will be considered for a public transport model since road public transport hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t been efficient.

Cable car docking into its station at Deorali taxi stand

Apart from these modes of transport, pedestrian culture is strong in Gangtok. With one of the longest footpaths in India, several footover bridges and an interconnecting network of pathways and shortcuts, citizens of all ages prefer to walk over distances to avoid traffic congestion.

Pedestrian traffic near MG Marg

Graduation Project • 2018 • Rajdeep Savenkar • B.Des. Product Design

Butterfly footover bridge at Deorali taxi stand

Another unique mobility character of Gangtok is the strong last mile presence within the networking of the city. Stairs (till houses and between roads for shortcuts), kaccha roads/ unpaved pathways and gallis/ narrow lanes are prime last mile terrains. Accompanying these are short and long distances of planes in inclines and flats.

Pipes and wild vegetation obstructing a stairway

Graduation Project • 2018 • Rajdeep Savenkar • B.Des. Product Design

Kaccha path connecting houses to the road in the rural area of Chongay

Kaccha path connected a house to the nearest stairway in urban area of Gangtok

Another distinct kind of mobility is the transport of goods by porters, locally known as Kanchas. They use a locally up-cycled personal mobility device known as Dhaapo or Namlo.

A kancha transporting vegetables in Lal Bazaar Market

Graduation Project • 2018 • Rajdeep Savenkar • B.Des. Product Design

The complicated terrains need the drivers to be cautious when on road, as well makes pedestrians aware when walking alongside the road. These challenging environments have grown to develop a certain road ethic amongst the citizens of Gangtok Uphill drivers get the right of way when they come across downhill drivers. The usage of horns is minimal and a high level of empathy exists amongst drivers. Pedestrians stay alert about oncoming vehicles and stop/ step aside to give road space. These adjustments have added a very humane and modest attitude amongst mountain dwellers. They empathize with each other on the road and have a certain sense of calm and patience. Such influences in social behaviour prove the cause-effect dynamics of mobility. Amongst all these terrain types, the most prominent yet unsolved is the last mile network, which spreads all across Gangtok. Soon the focus shifted to study this section of mountain mobility. Pedestrians giving way to cars driving uphill

Besides the terrain and transport modes, the weather plays a pivotal role in affecting mobility in Gangtok. The climate is sub-tropic alpine and average temperature ranges from 0°C-26°C. The weather is often unpredictable and fast flowing. Gangtok is known to have all seasons in a day, wherein it might be sunny in mornings and afternoons followed by rains and fog cover till it gets chilly in the night.

An aerial view of city covered in fog.

Graduation Project • 2018 • Rajdeep Savenkar • B.Des. Product Design

A rainy afternoon in MG Marg

A sunny afternoon in MG Marg

The combined effects of terrain and weather forces the citizens to have more personalized and sharing type of mobility. The success of share taxis over state transport buses and presence of several interconnecting shortcuts are a sign that a small unit of transportation has immense scope if designed specifically for the mountain context. The opportunity to enhance this micro mobility of mountain cities brought the last mile into a focus for possible intervention.

Graduation Project â&#x20AC;˘ 2018 â&#x20AC;˘ Rajdeep Savenkar â&#x20AC;˘ B.Des. Product Design

This sketch illustrates the mobility networks across Gangtok along with the challenges as a result of the terrain and weather

Last mile

Last mile is a term used to define the end portion of a journey where vehicles may not be able to create access. This journey is performed on foot. A dominant part of mountain mobility is the presence of a challenging last mile. The residential spaces are clustered together and this makes the inaccessible by road. Hence a narrow pathway from the landlocked building to the nearest road forms an extended last mile journey. The last mile regions in Gangtok are widely divided into stairways, flat narrow roads and Kaccha /unpaved roads. These are located between building and structures, between the main roads and houses away from the roads. They also serve as shortcuts and pathways to reach other areas of public commute.

The illustrated map shows a regions of Gangtok [pink] landlocked from the road [red]. The last mile networks [ green] connect the residential areas to the road and also serve as shortcuts for pedestrians. This type of urban growth can now be connected by last mile networks. It s the network equivalent of gallis or alleys, connecting several houses to the road.

Graduation Project • 2018 • Rajdeep Savenkar • B.Des. Product Design

These last mile paths are mostly narrow, as wide as one metre. It is mainly a combination of stairways, pathways and inclined slopes. Most stairways and pathways are concrete built, rarely tiled. The stairs are worn off because of either excessive use and harsh weather, or low quality construction. Another reason for corrosion is vegetation growth on stairways, weakening the structures

A combination of last mile routes interconnecting areas of different elevations

Weather affected stairway, covered in puddles, moss and cracked stairs

Graduation Project • 2018 • Rajdeep Savenkar • B.Des. Product Design

Tiled shortcut stairway between MG Marg and Lal Bazaar road. In monsoon season, tiled stairs can be slippery.

The heights of the stairways are uncertain as well, depending on the destination proximity and space available. The rainy weather in Gangtok affects them over time, allowing moss and plants to grow and make the surface slippery. Water puddles collect on steps as well and while raining, the water flows along with the stairs. This overall reduces the traction of these last mile surfaces.

Stairway worn out by weather, downstream water and constant use by pedestrians.

A peculiar aspect to last mile commute is the range of small obstacles or hindrances on the way. Water pipelines, potholes, ditches, slippery, mossy areas and unclean spots. Navigation through the last mile is tight due to close environmental elements (vegetation, walls, neighbouring building, barricades) and tight turns.

Ditches and guttar gaps are a fatal obstacle, especially in the night

Graduation Project • 2018 • Rajdeep Savenkar • B.Des. Product Design

Most last mile are very tight areas and have several small hurdles

The width and complex terrain on the last mile poses several kinds of challenges for a last mile device to successfully work and ease effort. The on-foot approach to this terrain is best suited and is the current solution to navigate last mile. This seems suitable for personal conveyance, but adding load carrying to the situation makes it a challenge. Conveyinging load in these conditions makes last mile mobility tricky, yet necessary since such last mile scenarios makes accessibility much tougher. Factors like personal health and capacity, age, availability and affordability of hired help / kanchas and routine add to the complicated nature of such constrained commute.

Opportunity areas Analyzing the mobility characteristics gave rise to certain insights. Based on these core opportunity areas were identified. +Geographical Unstability The uncertain elements of geography and nature affecting factors like visibility, access to road and safety.

Landslide blocking the road between Gangtok and Pelling

Graduation Project • 2018 • Rajdeep Savenkar • B.Des. Product Design

Visibility reduced due to fog on DPH Road

+Congestion The saturation level for vehicles, pedestrians and space is high and fast growing.

Vehicles parked on the edge of the road is a common sighting in Gangtok

Chain of cars due to commuter traffic at Zero point

Pedestrian congestion on footpath leading to MG Marg at peak office hours

+Last mile networking Lack of infrastructure development aiding in mobility in the last mile

A student carrying a carton upto the road

A group of constables and a woman using the same shortcut to reach to the upper portion of the road

Graduation Project • 2018 • Rajdeep Savenkar • B.Des. Product Design

A delivery staff member of an online shopping service, delivering goods on foot

+Intercity Goods Transport Moving load from inside the building clusters till accessible roads is challenging.

A kancha transporting a gas cylinder in monsoon rain

A person carrying a parcel from Post Office

GMC worker carrying commercial garbage from source to garbage truck on the road

Problem Area+brief

The visible gaps between levels of mobility affect the productivity of most businesses and personal lifestyle. The major gap in networking is the end zone of any journey. Moreover, the transportation of goods is a challenge compared to cities in plains. The intimacy of connectivity will lead to a rapid change in mountain livelihood and lifestyle in many ways: 1. The scale of goods transportation will be scale and private. This method of goods transit is a successful model as demonstrated in effect by kanchas/ mountain porters. Within the limited space to move in the mountains, a small sized approach to transportation can be an effective game changer.

2. The household and last mile connectivity will allow citizens and businesses to reach places never connected before. Small businesses will discover a prised potential in being closer to their customers. The future of products and systems will be service based and this has very rarely become a successful business model for mountain businesses. 3. Last mile enterprises and salesmen will be able to sustain themselves by changing venues and setting up shops closer to profit points. 4. The choice of bringing more goods in one go will change the consumption and sales patterns in the mountains. People will preferably buy things in larger quantities to avoid more trips. This in turn will increase the demand from the supplier.

Graduation Project â&#x20AC;˘ 2018 â&#x20AC;˘ Rajdeep Savenkar â&#x20AC;˘ B.Des. Product Design

The Problem Statement: Lack of small sized mobility devices to transport oneself and goods till last mile in mountain cities, excess human effort in walking on steep terrain and increasing vehicle congestion.

The Design Brief: To design a Geosensitive mobility device for personal transport and limited goods carriage in mountain cities.

Explanation of brief : Geosensitive is a portmanteau of the words ‘Geographically’ and ‘sensitive’, meaning sensitivity towards the geography of a region, referring to contextual design.

users encountering mountain terrains for carrying load effortlessly. The term ‘limited’ is a prefix to ‘goods carriage’ to convey that beyond a certain limit the user should consider alternatives to carry load, since personal mobility will be affected with growing load.

Chart showing the identification of problem area

Personal Mobility is the section of Mobility Design dealing with the movement of oneself with/ without their belongings. It can include products involved, modes of individual mobility, behaviour, patterns, scenario terrains and impact on other mobility systems. Personal mobility is aid in everyday lives by several products and devices Limited goods carriage is the additional mobility consideration alongside personal mobility. The increased capacity of device should be a value addition to most

Graduation Project • 2018 • Rajdeep Savenkar • B.Des. Product Design

research

Research methodology

Research was conducted further to deep dive into the mobility in Gangtok, case studies of effective mobility systems around the world and comparative studies with other mountainous region mobility systems. This helped us fathom the depth and pointers to bear in mind before taking the plunge.

Information on user interaction with load were based on discussions, observational and shadowing methods. The interviews are structured to gain information about the following aspects: 1. Frequency and nature of travel 2. Considerations by stakeholders

Next, user research was conducted to understand load carrying requirements of various user groups and their load carrying behaviours. The diverse load carrying requirements were then observed and analysed.

3. Gain qualitative and quantitative data of load being carried. Interviews and discussions helped gain empathy and pinpoint the pain points from the user’s experience. Study of people carrying load was performed to understand the efficient load carrying techniques.

Graduation Project • 2018 • Rajdeep Savenkar • B.Des. Product Design

Comprehensive Mobility plan of Gangtok, Sikkim It is a Gangtok specific two volume document drafted by DDF Consultants Pvt Ltd, entrusted by UDHD, Government of Sikkim in 2010. It comprises of various surveyed modes of transport to predict future mobility patterns and scheduled expansion + investment in future transportation systems contracts.

NOTES

INSIGHTS

1. The documents suggests expansion of roadways, parking lots & public bus transit, with each project amounting up to crores of rupees. 2. No Consideration of a specially designed mode of mobility for private use and goods transit within the city. 3. Although problem areas have been identified, solutions do not move beyond scaling up current mobility solutions which are reaching the point of saturation. 4. Intracity Mobility solutions are not included.

1. The connected aspects of local lifestyle, business and tourist seasonal heavy footfall could be kept in mind to better integrate mobility solutions. 2. Mobility solution built from scratch should be considered. It should be such that it adapts and embraces the unique terrain in mountain cities, thus adding value to itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s use.

Cover Page of final volume of CMP f or Gangtok

Welsh School of Architecture Report On Gangtok Comparative study between Gangtok and Medellin as a connected and well structures Mountain city + implementation of public cable car system affecting several aspects of lifestyle

NOTES

INSIGHTS

1. Implementation of Ropeway Public transport. 2. Building interconnectivity and long distance connectivity to ensure public network. 3. Effect of public transport on various communities and real estate prices

1. One strong mode of transport can define the operations in the city. 2. The execution and cost of commute can factor into larger effects like easier acceptance and upliftment of weaker communities after connectivity to rest of city. 3. The proximity to public transit affecting real estate prices and retail price of local products. Report Cover page with synopsis

Graduation Project • 2018 • Rajdeep Savenkar • B.Des. Product Design

Urban Mobility in China Case study of mobility systems in Shanghai, Shenzhen, Chengdu and Chongquig + Future projection and visions for urban mobility in these cities.

NOTES

INSIGHTS

1. Problems of existing developed urban mobility systems 2. Inclusion of technology into mobility to better UI 3. Versification of mobility choices will ensure faster ad smoother functioning of operations within city 4. Upcoming types of public transport include sharing and open docking stations

1. Network consisting of individual devices for individual transport can be smoother public transport model 2. Reducing techanology costs and electrification of vehicles have made technological advancements relevant to mobility

Cover Page for Urban Mobility report of Chinese cities

AUtomotive Mission plan 2016-26 Government of India’s report of growth in automotive sector between 2016-26

NOTES

INSIGHTS

1. Push for “Make in India” 2. Increase in GDP by 12%, increasing output from 4,00,000 crore to 18,00,000 crore 3. Increase in employement, additional 65 million jobs till 2026

1. The economical importance to India’s GDP and employment opportunities is a great motivation for expansion 2. ”Make in India” should not be mistaken with “Made for India” or “Innovate in India”. It is merely to boost industrial production capacity.

Contents Page for the IAP 2016-26

Graduation Project • 2018 • Rajdeep Savenkar • B.Des. Product Design

user research

The user group identification began with the study of stakeholders list that included groups carrying some load across the last mile. Initial list of load bearing stakeholders: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

School students • Milk delivery Homemakers • Metalwork artisans House help • Carpenters Parents with • Home furnishing infants/children • Garbage collectors Independent tenants • Postal services College students • Third party logistics Monks • Tourists Kanchas • Tour/Camp Physically challenged Coordinators Elderly • Repair technicians Commuters • Construction workers Shop owners Hotel coolies/staff Restaurants+CafeFood delivery Gas Cylinder delivery

The top stakeholders were then arranged in a descending order of sample size, frequency and effort required. Sample size: • Household users • Kanchas • Tourists • Construction • Garbage collection • Courier

Effort: • Physically Challenged • Kanchas • Courier Services • Household users • Garbage collectors

Frequency: • Courier • Kanchas • Household users • Garbage collection • Tourists

Household users The transport of monthly ration, consumer products and received parcels. This is largest sample size since it included most of the living population and spills into entrepreneurs and small businesses run locally. Having understood the context in comparison and gained insights from secondary research, pinning down a user group was a fairly challenging task. The tedious task of transporting load can be observed everywhere in Sikkim, be it a worker or housewife. The top listed user groups were further researched by observation based research methods and shadowing.

Kancha carrying consumer’s ration

Graduation Project • 2018 • Rajdeep Savenkar • B.Des. Product Design

Gas Cylinder delivery The pickup and delivery of gas cylinder between the house and Indane office. It is undertaken by the local porters, Kanchas, who rely on local employement and cyclic customers.

Construction The delivery of construction materials to the building site. This is undertaken by Kanchas who preferably work transporting only the materials.

A kancha using a stairway shortcut to cut through to upper road

Kancha carrying cement

Commercial freight The delivery service of retail goods, consumer and furnishing products. Transported by the local porters, Kanchas, by foot, they are the closest solution to a last mile delivery service for items like wardrobe, weighing about 80 kilos.

Courier and Online delivery The delivery of products purchased online and to be delivered via courier services. Delivery point commonly does not extend into last mile. Delivery Employees are not provided with bicycles or bikes to aid in increasing their mobility with load.

A kancha transporting wardrobe till its destination in the house

An online shopping delivery staff member taking rest while transporting deliveries

Graduation Project â&#x20AC;˘ 2018 â&#x20AC;˘ Rajdeep Savenkar â&#x20AC;˘ B.Des. Product Design

Garbage collection The transport of wet and dry waste from the source to nearest collection truck on the road. Bulk quantities collected from commercial businesses are transported by the Gangtok Municipal Corporation [GMC] staff.

Tourist freight The transport of tourist luggage between drop-off point and hotel destination. 3 tourist seasons in a single year promise a flood of family tourists along with international tourists. It is mainly a selfservice based task with maybe assistance from the hotel.

Garbage collection truck in morning

Tourists carrying their luggage to the hotel

Core comparisons between Household users and Commercial Users led to four major user groups to consider • • • •

Homemakers Gas cylinder Kanchas Construction material Kanchas Tourist freight

reconstructed into 3-5 storied buildings with no elevators. The landlords occupy the top floors and give out the bottom floors for rent or hotel business. This extends the household last me up till

The 4 user groups were compared on basis of vulnerability and possible benefits: The household users are vulnerable to the bias of physical capacity and dependence on external help like kanchas or other family members in most cases. Their expenditure for the services of kanchas is excessive in their opinion. Moreover, they have to convince and bargain with the kanchas, who cold be absent from the vicinity of the user. This means that the household users hardly have any reasonable alternative to move on to. The architecture commonly seen in Gangtok also play a major role in this. Most houses in Gangtok have been

the upper floors, which is an additional distance to cover. The benefit of a mobility device could mean reduced effort while transporting goods till it’s destination in the house, independence from effort of hiring a kancha or seeking help, savings in monthly budget, lesser trips for ration and other regular purchases, receiving load anytime irrespective of the availability of kanchas. For the transport of construction materials, the occupational hazard of lifting heavy loads is the biggest vulnerable point. Since the venue of delivery is a under-construction site, the danger of getting injured is much higher. The benefit of a mobility device would mean lower transportation cost for the department, better safety for the workers and faster construction periods.

Building cluster in Tathencheng area. Most buildings in Gangtok have 3-5 stories

Graduation Project • 2018 • Rajdeep Savenkar • B.Des. Product Design

The gas cylinder kanchas are probably the most well off amongst these user groups. They have integrated themselves into the gas cylinder collection and

Kancha-Gas cyclinder refill service

Apart from this commute, taking the luggage till the hotel room is more tedious. Post-comparison, the mobility device could be seen in a household scenario. This was mainly due to high levels of empathy, lack of alternatives to carry load and the gender bias that load carrying is a manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s job. The household user would find value in such a device, where they can carry out heavy-duty tasks all by themselves whenever time suits them.

circulation as a service. They collect the gas cylinder from the doorstep, along with the token and the gas stamp book. On delivery, they also undertake the formalities of getting the stamp book updated and collecting the token for next refill. Seeing the value in this service, gas cylinder kanchas have regular customers whom they loyally cater to. The benefit of mobility device would mean transporting

the cylinder using less effort and l ess time. Tourist freight is a seasonal phenomenon which comes in thrice with the coming of tourist season. Since hotels are spread all over Gangtok, the commute from the drop-off point to the hotel can be challenging for people not native to the place.

load study

The next step was to understand the diverse loads most frequently carried by homemakers. This helped understand how users adjust and accommodate loads of various kinds. Additional aspect of short and long term effects on health due to load carrying were also studied.

Graduation Project • 2018 • Rajdeep Savenkar • B.Des. Product Design

Effects of Load carrying Load carrying also takes a heavy toll on the health of the bearer. Carrying heavy loads by hands can cause strain on fingers and forearms, along with lack of close range visibility, which could lead to loss of balance and a fatal fall. A maximum of 20% of the body weight should be carried on the head. Carrying heavier load on the head can lead to micro-fractures in neck and spine. Long term effects include nuclear prolapse, commonly known as slip-disc. Long term effects of carrying heavy loads over 15 kg on the back can cause strain on the spine, high blood pressure, knee and foot pain and headache. A dire consequence of load carrying is the high risk of osteoarthritis, which is the breakdown of bone cartilages.

Graduation Project • 2018 • Rajdeep Savenkar • B.Des. Product Design

Visual list consisting of essentials of a ration trip and properties related to their carriage 85

The load study also included identifying the items carried by the household users. The most commonly shopped household items were included in detail to understand the average weight of one ration shopping trip. These included ration items like oil cans, daal, sacks of rice, potatoes, onions and other vegetables along with non-perishable consumer products like detergents, toilet paper etc. The purchases ranged between 30-50 kg. Having finalised on the average 40 kg to work with, this was deemed as the weight to be carried across till its destination in the house.

Heirarchy of fragility amongst household items

Graduation Project • 2018 • Rajdeep Savenkar • B.Des. Product Design

Illustration showing various method to hold different kinds of loads, to figure out most common and simple method.

user profiles

From the possible household users, the following personas were developed. Landlord Homemaker (65 years old, Retired Govt. service, Mother of 2 adults, Lives with husband, Adopted Househelp available) • Has knee problems due to old age walking on steep roads • Spends time praying, going for errands and occasionally gardening • Wishes to contribute to household activities, but advised to do light tasks Migrant Homemaker (40 years old,Has been a homemaker, Lives with husband, Househelp unavailable) • Lives on second floor as flat tenant • Prefers to use gadgets and appliances to assists in tasks • Spends time completing errands, taking walks, making new friends

Entrepreneurial Homemaker (35 years old, Runs a restaurant serving Sikkimese food, Lives with husband and one child, Hired help for restaurant) • Has tedious lifestyle with early morning and late nights of setting up - shutting the restaurant • Faces unexpected challenges like running out of ingredients • Spends free time relaxing, taking a nap or shopping with friends Homemaker taking care of a newborn (32 years old, On maternity leave, Lives with husband, in-laws and a newborn child, Adopted caretaker for baby) • Cleanliness conscious • Worries for newborn and pre-plans everything involving the baby • Cycles with in-laws to spend time taking care of baby • Takes care of her own health to provide proper nourishment to baby

Graduation Project • 2018 • Rajdeep Savenkar • B.Des. Product Design

AN EMPATHY MAPPING TO UNDERSTAND THE SCENARIO AND INDIVIDUAL CHALLENGES FACED BY EACH USER Landlord Homemaker Care-taking of large family living on upper floors • • • •

Larger quantity purchases Higher frequency of consumption Last mile till upper floors Has househelp to carry out task

» Age Constraint in physical capacity

Migrant Homemaker Care-taking of migrated nuclear family living on rent under landlord’s floor • Lesser quantity+Frequency of consumption • No access to househelp/assistance • Last mile till lower floors • More likely to purchase consumer products to assist in tasks

Entrepreneurial Homemaker Care-taking of business from lower floors/ Home+Family living in upper floors • Larger Quantity + Scheduled purchases • Economical focus in purchases (Wholesale) • Demand driven consumption • Last mile till lower and upper floors »Multitasking »Safe carriage of loads »Commercially driven requirements

Homemaker taking care of newborn Care-taking of newborn’s growth needs along with spouse and in-laws • Larger quantity and scheduled purchases

• Focus on ease and less effort • Assistance from other members • Parallel care-taking of child »Social image of load carrying »Tedious working at homemaking

To address the core challenges, the following design goals were set : • Making the act of load carrying across the last mile seem independent and casual • Reducing household expenditures by saving the money usually spend on kanchas • Reducing physical effort and hazards of load carrying without assistance • Promote equality across gender, age and race by removing bias over ability to carry load

»Lack of assistance 89

Task Analysis The mobility trail for the profiled users was traced for a few scenarios. The Task analysis of commonly carried tasks are as follows KEY: >> Choice in activity > Next activity 1. Groceries Shopping: User spots/plans items to replenish > makes a list of items to purchase > carries purse, umbrella and handbag > takes cab/walks till closest store with available items/market > scouts and selects wanted items > returns in cab if items are heavy/ walks home > unloads bag onto kitchen counter for cleaning items > keeps items in basket 2. Getting Ration: Schedule estimated ration refill date > go to store > buy ration and other essentials

at once >> negotiate and hire kancha to deliver goods > Kancha reaches destination landmark and calls for exact location > house member directs kancha to house location and till last mile to unload >> hire cab / take in personal vehicle > load goods > reach road near house > unload goods on the road near stairs > carry as much as possible in first go > call for help from other members > everyone carries as much possible till everything is transported. 3. Garbage Collection (twice a week morning time): User hears whistle from waste collector > collects waste in the bin/bag/carton > carries waste downstairs till door > unlocks-locks main door > walks fast uphill/downhill with waste till main road > stands in queue on roadside > lifts and

Graduation Project â&#x20AC;˘ 2018 â&#x20AC;˘ Rajdeep Savenkar â&#x20AC;˘ B.Des. Product Design

passes waste to collector standing on top of truck > waits for collector to return bin > may indulge in short conversations with neighbours > walks back home along same path > reaches home > keeps bin in its location > washes hands. 4. Do the laundry: Collects dirty clothes from all rooms/ laundry bag > take the laundry to the bathroom/washing room > inserts clothes in machine/washes clothes > puts wet clothes in bucket for drying > carries bucket to balcony on terrace floor/ floor balcony > collects clothes when dry > stocks clothes in same/ separate wardrobes. 5. Transporting/Shifting: Gathers all items in room/ down at main door > user goes on road to search for kancha > hires kancha/s > kancha transports items on foot till last mile

User Needs destination > pays kancha depending on distance and item weight+volume.

INSIGHTS FROM TASK ANALYSIS: • The entire task of purchasing/getting heavy items eventually boils down to how the user takes it back home. • They could take several trips or transport all in one go. Given the choice, they would favour the latter. • Having considered the single trip mobility, the device being with the user during this time seems crucial. • The inconvenience of having to go house to get the mobility device and then carry load back to the house was a concern. To address this, the device would have to have a low storage space.and portability.

As a result of the task analysis of load carrying across last mile, portability without the load was a design parameter. That meant the product needed to be stored and carried easily. To qualify this, the device has to be foldable and collapsible. Also the consideration that one might not be carrying 40 kilos always, so an adjustable feature to carry less heavier loads or alternate way of carrying could be explored.

appearance and material qualities of bamboo cane. The key words for enhanced user interaction were: 1. Portable 2. Alternate modes 3. Graceful

Another essential quality of the device was to look welcoming and graceful, contradicting the general image while carrying load and also to suit the taste of young adults and older users, mainly women taking care of the household. The form factor had to be a balance between the function of simple load bearing structure and aesthetic of non-bulky

redefined brief

The scope of the project leads to the designing of a solution currently non existent, aimed at speeding transit of goods in last mile and transit of people reducing congestion on roads.

Redefined Brief: To design a last mile mobility device for household users to carry 40 kilo of load in mountain cities.

Explanation of brief The last mile It is the start and end of our journeys traced till the point of rest or the next mode of transport. Last mile journey usually occurs till the user reaches a bigger and faster mode of transport. Why household? The social stigma of load carrying being a masculine activity was a leading household issue. Having to rely on someone for this task was a pain point since it depends on the availability of kanchas around or further planning.

Graduation Project • 2018 • Rajdeep Savenkar • B.Des. Product Design

The economic contribution of paying kanchas were also considerably high. Why 40 kg? The average weight of items purchased in bulk were in the range of 30-50 kg. The volumes within this range were also manageable by a single person, setting a limit to the maximum load one should carry without the risk of injury. The idea was to expand the users capacity without compromising on safety.

Sketch illustration explaining the problem scenarioareas for mobility in mountain cities

Graduation Project • 2018 • Rajdeep Savenkar • B.Des. Product Design

conceptualizations

Design Parameters

Product analysis

• • • • • • • •

Several personal mobility devices across the world were researched online. All devices in market were studied and their utility in mountain context was speculated.

Load bearing upto 40 kilograms Lightweight Easy handling Low storage space Portable Adjustable for load volumes Non bulky appearance Catering to multiple surfaces of the last mile • Shouldn’t obstruct vision • Lower component count • Local maintenance and parts

Hence, matching requirements to geosensitive needs of the mountains.

Examples of a few available personal mobility devices across the world. These were analyzed to find features suitable for mountain context

Graduation Project • 2018 • Rajdeep Savenkar • B.Des. Product Design

Insights from product analysis: 1. Most concepts are suited for specific environments 2. Several concepts don’t support allround personal mobility including luggage and last mile accessibility 3. They had a short range or time of use, with the focus on reducing effort or increasing human capacity 4. carriage of device when not in use is rarely considered. Beyond last mile the device would either have to be dragged along or put in docking stations. Portability was lacking when the device cannot be used. 5. Multi terrain operation was less considered for last mile devices. Several concept only qualify for urban spaces. The diverse rural scenario is mostly excluded for last mile devices.

A set of features best suited for mountain terrain were identified identified as below: • Terrain conscious wheels: Tyres which could bear offroad conditions without losing grip,getting punctured or sinking into the soil. the tyres should also tackle the diverse terrain type and be durable. • Compact size and tech: For an all rounder approach to lightweight mobility, size and weight of the device should be as low as possible. • High stability of device: The centre of gravity should be as low and close to the user as possible, increasing the balance and stability of the device.

Graduation Project • 2018 • Rajdeep Savenkar • B.Des. Product Design

• Multi-use mode: The device could have multiple ways of use to increase utility and not hinder in the various requirements of mobility.

Local mechanisms

To begin looking at suitable mechanisms, we began with a local personal mobility device known as the dhaapo, namlo or doku. It was a great reference point for inspiration. This contraption is used by the Kanchas who carry it in their hands or sling it like a shoulder bag. It is made using locally upcycled items and a bit of tailoring. The dhaapo in itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s essence is a personal mobility device. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s core purpose is to help the kancha fix the load onto the back. The skill and strength comes from the kancha himself, but the ability to carry large volumes without using hands is enabled by the dhaapo. Another inspiration from the dhaapo was itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s versatility amongst variable load types.

A worn out dhaapo

The analysis of the dhaapo was done to understand how in it’s simplicity lies the several different ways it can be used and modified. The 2 components of a dhaapo are: 1. Headband - A thick strap made by rolling up and stitching a second hand plastic gunny sack/ cement bag. 2. Load rope - A plastic 2-4 metre rope strong enough to bear weights upto 3080 kilos, sold for 20 rupees per meter.

The upcycled nature of dhaapo also keeps making costs low and resources accessible. A dhaapo can be made by anyone by getting a second hand plastic sack from local shopping complex [Lal Bazaar] for 50 rupees, a two metre rope from a general store for 20 rupees per metre and a brief tailoring job for 50 rupees. With a cost price of 140 rupees, it is easy to maintain, repair and reproduce locally.

Graduation Project • 2018 • Rajdeep Savenkar • B.Des. Product Design

Getting the dhaapo stitched from a plastic gunby sack by a tailor

An affordances workshop was conducted with the studio members to explore other applications of the dhaapo apart from itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s intended use. The major takeaway from the workshop was the different ways the straps were used around the body or other objects to carry out a task. This meant the strap was easily shape-shifting over the surface, thanks to itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s linear form value.

Having observed this similarity of use with the kanchas, a strap based version was chosen as the load holding component for conceptualizations.

Affordances workshop with the members of Echostream Studio

101

further Mechanism Study

Suitable mechanisms were then studied in further detail. The mechanism study for concepts were composed of 2 main components coming together -

4. Soft robotic wheels 5. Electronic sliding stair climber 6. Gimbal / Exoskeleton

1. Terrain compatible components: dealing with transporting the device over variable terrains

7. Triwheels 8. Hovering mechanism

2. Load carrying components: dealing with load bearing and fixture onto the device

9. Scissors / cross form folding 10. 13” Bicycle tires

The collection of mechanisms studied are mentioned as following:

11. Korean Chige / A-Frame 12. Affordances in form

1. Wheel Transformation 2. Rocker Bogie Mechanism 3. Tread Mechanisms

Graduation Project • 2018 • Rajdeep Savenkar • B.Des. Product Design

Wheel Transformation The change in form or size of wheels to suit use on stairs and offroad terrains. Folding wheels were studied to resolve low storage requirement. The structural strength of these mechanism were questionable.

Rocker Bogie Mechanism “Space Rover mechanism” was considered to allow safe carriage, but was eventually discarded for it’s high complexity and small wheelbase structure.

103

Tread Mechanisms The off-road friendly tread mechanisms with further adjustability would have been a perfect match if not for the heavy weight and inaccessible components.

Soft robotic wheels These wheels absorb most impact and adjusts with the surface it rides on, but this could lead to quicker wear and tear. As an emerging technology, it is difficult replicate the materials used and the air refilling system.

Graduation Project • 2018 • Rajdeep Savenkar • B.Des. Product Design

Electronic sliding stair climber Sliding mechanism fused with motor control allows device to climb onto the next step by pressing a switch. This mechanism is heavy, slow and ergonomically unresolved. Also it seems fit to carry much larger weights.

Gimbal / Exoskeleton Using body support to control the variable weights and volumes seemed too good, since most of these are designed for a specific type of load. It compromised the safety of the user due to close influence on centre of gravity.

105

Triwheels 3 wheels in an equilateral triangle arrangement allow the user to pull the device onto the next step. This mechanism was rejected for lack of braking mechanism and inability to climb over stairs of uneven heights.

Hovering mechanism Avoiding the terrain contact altogether would be the best way to go over it, similar to hovercrafts. Technically it was unfeasible and required close proximity of surface to the air cushion, which would not be possible on stairs. Different weights would affect it’s performance and it could be hazardous if it stops working midway.

Graduation Project • 2018 • Rajdeep Savenkar • B.Des. Product Design

MOST FEASIBLE MECHANISMS WHICH WERE TAKEN FORWARD ARE AS FOLLOWS:

Scissors / cross form folding Simple in execution with a low component count, cross folding is a great space saving mechanism. It is adjustable in nature and basic in terms of maintenance.

13” Bicycle tires The stepping action can be performed by a wheel provided it’s center is approximately equal to the nose of stair dimension, hence 13” diameter wheels. The availability of bicycle wheels is also a main cause for finalizing over this component.

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Korean Chige / A-Frame Taking inspiration from Korean Chige, or A-frame led to implement a standing frame into concepts. The wooden bracket is a strong load bearing structure and adds to the simplicity of the form

Graduation Project • 2018 • Rajdeep Savenkar • B.Des. Product Design

Affordances in form Variable user modes allowing changes according to the situation and load to transport. This gives the user the flexibility of choice to maximize their mobility depending on different terrains and needs.

Taking inspiration from simple machines, type 2 lever was clubbed with cart type device ideations. The type 2 lever always has a mechanical advantage ratio higher than one. This is due to the longer effort arm and shorter load arm from the pivot, in this case, wheel. This type 2 lever was then reconsidered with a change in stance. With the load placed directly over the wheel, the entire weight would be channeled down to the wheel, reducing effort considerably.

Change in stance helped channel the weight onto the pivot i.e. wheel

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Ideations

Several levels of interventions and directions were considered based on secondary research and off-road friendly options. The first approach was to explore all ways of mobility over inclined slopes and stairs This included taking calculated steps, hopping, sledging, rolling, hovering and avoiding contact. Ideations were generated around these motions.

space related to folding, detachable components helped add value to the design. Additional ideations included designing pulley based components to help load and unload the load to ground level, smart IOT based autonomous load transit system and tensegrity based folding frames.

The redesign of wheel and offroad mechanisms like caterpillar treads, shape-shifting wheels and multiple wheel configuration were explored. Next consideration was encompassing the load onto the device. Expandable, elastic, compartmentalized, netted and strapped storage methods were ideated to hold multiple small and large volumes. Finally the ideations to reduce storage

Graduation Project â&#x20AC;˘ 2018 â&#x20AC;˘ Rajdeep Savenkar â&#x20AC;˘ B.Des. Product Design

Form manipulation for wheels Despite several possible ideations, the compromise of stability of the wheel was unacceptable due to increasing components. The wheel was also modified to be used on the stairs, but this also affects itâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s use on flat grounds, lowering its performance.

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Hovering load concept The load would be tied to a drone like carrier and hover over/ around the user, also providing protection from rain or sun. This direction was too far fetched in terms of it’s extreme dependence on technology,

Graduation Project • 2018 • Rajdeep Savenkar • B.Des. Product Design

Spider-legs concept Inspired from the Spiderman tentacles suit from 2018 Avengers Infinity War, the device would â&#x20AC;&#x153;walkâ&#x20AC;? in a strandbeast fashion, while flowing the user. The concept required a certain level of autonomy to allows auto-detection of changes in terrains with the perfect synchronization in each step.

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Basket carrier concepts These included various forms of baskets with features such as expandable size, accessible compartments etc. Unsuitable for bulkier loads ad failing to ease the weight off the user, this direction was quickly discarded.

Graduation Project • 2018 • Rajdeep Savenkar • B.Des. Product Design

Pulley based concepts Using multiple pulleys along with a tire to lift the load by rotating a shaft. The manual equivalent of a forklift, these concepts were very large in size and could be inconvenient for lesser weights.

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Suspension load concept. Taking inspiration from Suspension bridges, the anchor point would be above the load and the load would be suspended, with the weight being channeled down to a wheel in contact with the ground. This direction was prototyped but dropped due to possible ergonomic issues like stress on shoulder and bulky appearance.

Graduation Project • 2018 • Rajdeep Savenkar • B.Des. Product Design

Dragon concept A small sized rideable vehicle which could be used to walk the load as well. The feasibility of this concept was not possible due to requirements of vehicular systems.

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Tensegrity concept Taking from tensile-integrity structures, collapsible frames held by ropes with wheels were ideated. These concepts were too fragile to be integrated for use on offroad situations.

Graduation Project • 2018 • Rajdeep Savenkar • B.Des. Product Design

Load segregation concepts Compartmentalized segregation of load using collapsible cloth structures. This was designed to help the user segregate while purchasing, but did not resolve the carriage of larger volumes.

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Sensory tracking concept Line or pattern following robots using IR sensors to autonomously transport load till a parking space near doorsteps. Being a speculative system ideation, it was not feasible to develop. A variation of this concept was the feet tracking robot which is able to keep up with the user and read the terrain by tracking the movement of the feet and shadowing them over stairs and offroad.

Graduation Project • 2018 • Rajdeep Savenkar • B.Des. Product Design

Cocoon basket concept Two sliding units consisting of upper handle unit and bottom wheel unit would cocoon the load between themselves. This concept had volume limitation based on the form of the device. Also the loading and unloading could be challenging due to interference from the structure.

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Load pram concept Similar to a walkable pram, a load bearing frame with two large sized wheels instead. Variables included a positive camber angles, meaning the wheel would be facing outside on the upper half, increasing the space between the two wheels. This concept was considered the initial concept to improve upon owing to it’s simplicity and great possibilities with space saving mechanisms. The large width led to further improvement in this direction of ideations.

Graduation Project • 2018 • Rajdeep Savenkar • B.Des. Product Design

Foldable load bearing concepts Further resolution of the mechanisms of the pram concept led to ideations like spring loaded base structures and smaller wheels. The concept with a scissor based pivoted frame with a stopper bar was considered for prototyping due to the lowest component count.

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Graduation Project • 2018 • Rajdeep Savenkar • B.Des. Product Design

prototyping

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Mockups

X-FRAME BASKET A size changing skeleton consisting of a scissor folding mechanism basket with flexible cloth covering.

Analysis: The basket would still have to be counter-balanced while carrying and required another locking mechanism, increasing the complexity

Mockup was prepared using aluminium wire and rope. It was made in proportion for a toy figure Graduation Project • 2018 • Rajdeep Savenkar • B.Des. Product Design

BINDLE TYPE CARRIER A shoulder supported oval frame with load suspended/ hooked on its rear end. The shape was more ergonomic than the original stick on a bag bindle.

Analysis: The ergonomic enhancement of curved frame helped reduce pain on shoulders, but could not be a feasible way to carry heavy weight. Also, the dangling of load could cause inconvenience and hurt the user. Trial testing of mockup by lifting bicycle frame

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SLIDER WHEEL MECHANISM 5 small support wheels arranged in linear manner to create a flat contact surface for stairs.

Analysis: The gap between two wheels could get stuck on the nosing section of the stairs. This is a bigger issue when 4 wheels get stuck together on simultaneous stairs.

slider wheels getting stuck between 2 steps due to gap between the wheels

Graduation Project • 2018 • Rajdeep Savenkar • B.Des. Product Design

STICK MOCKUP A lateral stick with a single plastic rope. A makeshift skateboard trunk with skate wheels. The load would be placed on a single base point and held tight by the arrangement of the rope

Analysis: The single frame structure is lightweight but does not keep the load stable. The small sized wheels do not resolve mobility over stairs and in offroad situations. The load anchor point does not provide sufficient base contact to secure the load.

Mockup with carton tied for testing

Labelled componets of the mockup

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prototype 1

Taking from the learnings of the mockups, the stick mockup approach was taken forward. The changes added were better strucure to hold load, larger bicycle wheel and shoulder frame for control.

Graduation Project • 2018 • Rajdeep Savenkar • B.Des. Product Design

concept sketches for prototype 1

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Development: A rough prototype was made using cane pieces, bindle shoulder frame and a 28” bicycle tire and lots of cello-tape. A curvy wire-frame for the load bearing structure was attached for reference. The prototype was made in cane for testing strength, look and feel. The load bearing structure was made by splitting a cane stick and then heat-bending it. It would curve to form a flat base from side view and converge with the wheel axle. The shoulder arc is adjustable and extends down to the wheel axle. The form factor is curvy to secure the load in a minimal basket design and to increase interest amongst users.

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Operation: The prototype is meant to be pulled up behind the user for ascending up the hill and walked ahead of the user for descending. The shoulder support can be adjusted to the user’s height.

Use while ascending involves pulling the device using shoulder arc

Concerns: It is difficult to control the direction and maintain balance while pulling it uphill. The device also shifts its center of gravity easily due to the height. The shoulder support stopped the device from tipping over and gave a sense of closer control by proximity. The lack flexibility in movement over stairs was a major safety concern. Adjustable shoulder arc with fitting holes Graduation Project • 2018 • Rajdeep Savenkar • B.Des. Product Design

prototype 1 loaded with a sack for volume testing

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Feedback: An interactive studio session to comment and give feedback on the prototype was held. Upon discussion and analysis, the points were considered to resolve:

No visibility with large volumes

1. User getting dragged by shoulder support while using on stairs. 2. The reduced visibility with load due to high height. 3. Non-adjustable form for cuboid loads like cartons 4. Bulky appearance due to large wheel and high height. 5. Unstable handling due to the use of only one wheel 6. Unstable while loading and unloading the items carried

Graduation Project • 2018 • Rajdeep Savenkar • B.Des. Product Design

Trial testing with studio members

Waste of space for cuboid loads.

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Prototype 2

Development: Taking from the feedback of the prototype 1, a redesigned concept with two smaller 13” wheels and a minimally styled frame was conceptualized. This concept was made with feasibility of folding for easier storage and had a pivot based load bearing structure, which could be used by simply rotating the structure. The load bearing structure is fitted with straps and strap adjusters to fix the load onto the device. This feature had another benefit of working harmoniously with the free moving load bearing base, which adjusted it’s position under the volume of the load. concept sketches for prototype 2

Graduation Project • 2018 • Rajdeep Savenkar • B.Des. Product Design

Features: The folding feature is integrated in the handle frame. It is held in place with the help of metal brackets, nuts and bolts. The stand had magnets placed to allow it to be retractable when needed. Otherwise the stand would stay attached to the metal wheelbase. The inspiration from Korean Chige helped integrate a backpack mode of use. This required the removal of the wheels by tilting the axle and sliding it out of the provided slits in the cane frame. Concerns: The use of ropes or straps to fix the load onto the device was missing. The nuts and bolts used were longer than required and were poking into the back when worn like a backpack.

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Final Prototype

The prototype was named Tok Tok, a phonic reference to the sound made while used on stairs. The “Tok” is also a reference to Gangtok, where the product came to birth. Tok tok seemed like a name which could be on the tip of everybody’s tongue and catchy enough to remember.

Graduation Project • 2018 • Rajdeep Savenkar • B.Des. Product Design

Tok Tok can carry large cartons with volumes upto 120 litres

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Graduation Project • 2018 • Rajdeep Savenkar • B.Des. Product Design

Brand identity for Tok Tok designed in-house at Echostream

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IN use scenario

While using Tok Tok to go downstairs or downhill, it can be operated like a pram by keeping it in front of the user. The user can adjust to the height by simply tilting it to the favourable height to hold at.

Graduation Project • 2018 • Rajdeep Savenkar • B.Des. Product Design

While using Tok Tok to go upstairs or uphill, it can be pulled while keeping it behind the user. A single handed or double handed approach can be used according to the users comfort and weight. Ideally the user should use the double handed method to maintain balance and equally divide the effort, reducing strain in hands.

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Backpack mode

On removal of the wheel axle from the frame, Tok Tok can be carried on the back like a backpack. It can be used to carry lighter loads or can be folded to carry Tok Tok when not in use. This alteration in use was a consideration for rural areas of Sikkim, where the lack of proper pathways can make operation with wheels difficult and unsafe.

Graduation Project • 2018 • Rajdeep Savenkar • B.Des. Product Design

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FOLDING PROCESS:

Place tok tok upright on stand

Remove support bracket and upper nut-bolts

Fold the handlebar

Fold the stand inside by attaching magnet points to wheel axle

Fold the load bearing structure upwards

Remove wheel base by sliding it across the slits in the frame

Graduation Project • 2018 • Rajdeep Savenkar • B.Des. Product Design

REMOVING THE WHEELS:

Place Tok Tok on full recline with the stand

Lift wheel base and tilt the axle diagonally along the slits

Remove wheels along with the axle

Tok Tok is ready to be used in backpack mode !

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DETAILS

Straps are fastened around the cane frame using strap adjusting buckles

Slits in the frame allow the axle to be diagonally rotated for removal of wheels

Rear end of load bearing frame rotates and the handlebar frame acts like a stopper, fixing its position

The folding handlebar mechanism uses 1”x2” hinges, metal brackets and a pair of nuts and bolts to fix it into place

The lower strap adjustable along the load bearing frame to allow adjustments for different volumes

The curved profile of stand allows it to rest at any angle, depending on the load weight and volume

Graduation Project • 2018 • Rajdeep Savenkar • B.Des. Product Design

Design Specifications

Product Features:

Materials:

• Can carry upto 40 kilograms of load and holds multiple volumes like cylinder, carton, sack

1. Cane - diameter: 1 3/4” inch, Length: 13 feet 2. Screw+Nuts - 9 pieces

• Device can fold when being carried for use or when in storage • Device can carry load in backpack mode by removing wheels or without load by itself for convenience

3. 2 bicycle wheels - diameter: 13 inch 4. 4 Cotton polyester straps length:6 feet 5. 8 Strap buckles

• Weighs 4.2 kilogram • Cane Frame with straps to hold down load onto device

6. 2metal brackets length: 6 inch 7. 2 magnets

• Has magnetic lock stand to allow mounting and dismounting of load while free-standing

8. Araldite

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TECHNICAL DRAWING

Orthographic view

Graduation Project • 2018 • Rajdeep Savenkar • B.Des. Product Design

PRODUCT PROPORTION

TOK TOK IN RELATION TO THE USER

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Graduation Project • 2018 • Rajdeep Savenkar • B.Des. Product Design

vision

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Gangtok City

Graduation Project • 2018 • Rajdeep Savenkar • B.Des. Product Design

Vision // tok tok Brand Vision Connecting Last Miles with Tok Tok for the Mountainous Regions of the World Tok Tok and the Future of Mobility in Sikkim The world is changing at a faster pace than ever. With increasing mobility demand and evolving mobility needs, mobility solution providers have to satisfy demand for services that are increasingly convenient, fast and predictable. Sikkim in the past ten years has had increasing issues of mobility with it’s uncontrolled and unplanned development growth. While the concerntration of the government and town planners is mostly exploring ideaslike cable cars, monorails, opening more parking zones etc, it is important to understand how a mountain city moves where there is no access to roads. The quality of life for communities

living in mountain areas will depend on how well their homes, workspaces, occupation is connected to the service centres/ providers. Meanwhile, traditional mobility ecosystems have diversified, employing a wider array of actors, and the emergence of new concepts, such as tok tok, will help them to reorganize interactions between them as they strive for the system optimum. More than ever, the reform of mobility systems is one of the key challenges facing the world today. There are two key strategic paths that cities must take if they are to respond to environmental and capacity challenges. The first approach we have called “Rethink the system”, i.e., work towards a more sustainable mobility system; and the second, “Network the system”, i.e., work towards integrated mobility, with the customer at the center.

Traffic Jams in Gangtok is now a regular daily fearure even during non-touristy season

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The core aim of tok tok to move load across last mile is a product category untouched for individuals who are not porters, but have needs regarding same. The application of a personal mobility device like tok tok has a wide range of applications. Adding to this the ability to reduce logistics labour and costs make it a great business investment. The current model for tok tok is a basic variant and designed to hold more than one type of load. It could be used as a skeleton to be modified for specific load types. Different sectors for future intervention are as follows: 1. Private Commercial businesses - Several locally run businesses require transportation of supplies and products, for which they currently hire Kanchas. Using the tok tok

will eventually reduce costs over long term and gives the user to be independent of external factors. 2. Medical aid - Last mile medical access with equipment and patent transfers will certainly boost the efficiency of healthcare sector 3. Hospitality - Hotels and home-stays are prime tourism based sources of incomes. For tourist who might find the change in terrain challenging, value lies in the ease of moving luggage and purchased local products. Hotel staff can be equipped with tok tok to assist and improve the hospitality experience. 4. Agriculture - The transport of agricultural supplies like manure soil and picked produce can become a less tedious and more productive

Graduation Project â&#x20AC;˘ 2018 â&#x20AC;˘ Rajdeep Savenkar â&#x20AC;˘ B.Des. Product Design

task. An increase in capacity of workforce could mean lesser trips to transport larger load. 5. Last mile business - On-the-go businesses and entrepreneurs will have an opening to operate and cater to sales closer to households and inner regions of the city. 6. Construction - The transport of construction materials will be a less expensive affair, reducing the construction costs for a site away from the road. 7. Emergency + Relief services The ability to access even the innermost parts of the city could be a helpful aspect to services like fire department, landslide and earthquake relief

Food Due to the increase in tourist inflow in Sikkim, there are a lot of pop up food stalls on the road and in festival venues in Sikkim. The brand will provide custom made mobile food stalls to increase their productivitiy.

Shopping The brand will cater to make the shopping experience easier and productive in market areas of all mountain cities.

Industries The brand will cater to industries like the Temi Tea sector where carrying the tea to the warehouse is a major logistic problem.

Agriculture Since Sikkim is the first organic state and a lot of the organic produce is in huge demand, the brand will cater to the last mile needs of every farmer in Sikkim.

Health Sector Most of the homes in Sikkim do not have access to roads and most of the time patients have to be carried to the nearest road especially in rural areas. The brand will develop product to cater to this last mile problem. Delivery Services Sikkim is also now a part of the digital boom where e-commerce sites like amazon, flipcart and lots of local food delivery services on the rise. The brand will tie up with these delivery serivce industry.

Tourism With the increase of tourists coming to Sikkim with lots of luggage because of the weather conditions, there is a need to cater to their last mile needs.

Construction With less stress on labour for transporting raw materials, Tok Tok allows users to freely develop real estate away from the main. This could result in a healthier infrastructure pattern with ample of breathing space in future mountain cities.

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Graduation Project • 2018 • Rajdeep Savenkar • B.Des. Product Design

Desired design impact

Economy The speculation of last mile load transporting device was a realization point from the impact point of view. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ability to be useful in several sectors suggests immense growth in overall efficiency, reduction in costs and transport time. For household users, this means the ability to carry larger bulks of goods till their house/ destination. This will affect the quantity of goods purchase in one go. Bulk ration trips will be more favourable, helping reduce costs further The market could cater to smaller quantities of purchases but will so compete to sell off bulk quantities. Furthermore, the real estate prices will be much flexible. Construction work happening away from the road will not be a financial burden to the contractors due to reduction in labour costs.

An option to select a site with a better view over direct access to road can help boost the overall quality of life and also hotels and restaurants. The overall shift in modern lifestyle towards independence and a nuclear family approach will also be supported by Tok tok. Tok tok is meant to be used independently by users, relieving the user from the stress of searching for help/ kancha or extensively plan the task of moving goods around. The independent lifestyle of young adults and students will also be less tedious since affording househelp is not an option and wont be one in the near future.

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Craft oriented Production

Livelihood Generation The design parameters specific to materials were as follows: Light in weight Locally available / sourced

As prototyping began, the quickest way to heat bend cane was by hands. The designs were modified to reduce the angle of bends focusing on the minimum effort required to produce each part.

With progress in mockups and prototypes, another design parameter added for the material was it’s ability to be slightly flexible with the load. This made sure the device adjusts to the weight of the load and does not crack under pressure. Thus, high tensile strength was a crucial material property.

The use of a craft based production technique for more than ornamental products added a larger relevance to bamboo craft. The perception of handicraft production having lost it’s relevance in today’s machine based manufacturing can be readdressed.

With stainless steel pipes as the initial material for the prototype design, the unavailability of pipe bending machines in nearby areas led to using cane as an alternate material. This simple exploration led to the material of choice to be finalized as cane. due to it’s easy qualification for the design parameters.

Moreover, geosensitive model of appropriate material properties, local materials + production expertise and local context of use seemed to be complete by choosing cane as the final material to work with.

Graduation Project • 2018 • Rajdeep Savenkar • B.Des. Product Design

Master Craftsman Palden Sherpa build the prototypes using a heat gun to bend cane in a makeshift setup. He also helped improvise the prototypes by imagining it’s use for rural areas of Sikkim.

Considering the need to scale up production, more advanced techniques like treating the cane with steam and heat bending around a plywood mould for consistency and reduced production time and costs can be considered. This model could proved to be sustainable not just by the eco-friendly choice of material, but also by integrating craft artisans to produce products relevant to modern needs. This approach to craft revival will also be fruitful in terms of public acceptance and reduction of high handicraft costs. The near future will also demand an increase in use of eco-friendly materials and practices. Hence, the craft oriented material and production could be a positive element, adding to itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sustainability. Working with Mr. Palden Sherpa was a delightful experience, thanks to his expertise

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conclusion

Having worked in a peacefully remote, difficult environment for several months, I was unquestionably transformed by the experience. My learnings were hugely influenced by the comparison of mountain lifestyle to my experiences in different cities. The understanding, patience and empathy of citizens of mountain cities never failed to surprise me. This became a personal learning for me to be able to adjust and also innovate for a completely different scenario. My mindset to problem solving expanded exponentially. Facing a drawback in availability of materials, facilities and battling the unforgiving weather, my ability to improvise and communicate improved effectively. The intimate needs of the place and it’s people were the main motivation throughout the project.

Being able to empathize and realize the need and possible impact of something as simple and straight forward as Tok Tok brought to light the influence design can have on several people’s lives. As a designer, this core ability to empathize and take actions while understanding the context closely was a major learning. Not a single day went by when I regretted coming to Sikkim for this project. For this, I am extremely grateful to the state of Sikkim and it’s wonderful people for making my stay extremely hospitable.

Graduation Project • 2018 • Rajdeep Savenkar • B.Des. Product Design

Bibliography

1. Design Thinking for Educators by Riverdale Country School, by IDEO (2012) 2. Design And Development Of Motorcycle Seat From Ergonomics Point Of View With Vibration And Discomfort Analysis, by Dr. M. M. Patil, Dr. Lokesh Bajpai, Dr. P. L. Verma (2014) 3. Comprehensive Mobility Plan, Gangtok, Sikkim: Findal Report: Volume I, by DDF Consultants Pvt. Ltd. (2010) 4. Comprehensive Mobility Plan, Gangtok, Sikkim: Final Report: Volume II, by DDF Consultants Pvt. Ltd. (2010) 5. Energy Harnessing: New Solutions for Sustainability and Growing Demand by World Economic Forum (2013)

Internet References 6. World Lithium Resource Impact on Electric Vehicles, by Lauren Abelli and Paul Oppenheimer, Naval Postgraduate School (2008)

Used images were sourced from: www.googleimages.com www.photobucket.com www.unusuallocomotion.com

7. Urban Mobility in China, by Prof. Dr. Wilko Manz, Dr. Hany Elgendy, Julian Berger (MSc), Jan Bรถhringer (MSc) (2017) 8. Use of personal mobility devices for first-and-last mile travel: The Macquarie Ryde trial, by Robyn Dowling , Julia D. Irwin , Ian J. Faulksb, and Richie Howitt (2015) 9. Design of Hill Road Alignment, by Intercontinental Consultants and Technocrats Pvt.Ltd (2010) 10. Sikkim Skill Division, by Sikkim Government Gazette (2017)

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