Forgo Ear Piece
- Viliamu A
- Sep 4, 2020
- 5 min read
Behind the Scenes Research:
Target Audience and Problem:
- I sometimes forget to brush my teeth, and when my mum finds out; I could be in huge trouble. Although the process of brushing your teeth is like one of the easiest actions to do – forgetting to brush your teeth can be annoying. Especially for a University student like myself, who happens to sleep late, wake up late, get late to classes in the city… and before you know it – you already forgot do brush your teeth.
- This device I came up with, which I believe will exist in the future, is what I call a “Forgo” – short for Forget. A little inspiration and backstory come from me forgetting to brush my teeth every day
- Enough about my personal problems, I wanted to research more into why brushing your teeth is important, and why it is essential – globally. I looked up the importance of Hygiene on a global scale and other factors that can hinder a country from performing such essential action.
- The visualization of the device was designed for low recognition in the public. Simple design that would not stand out to others. Awareness of insecurity, etc.
Hygiene:
- Some 827 000 people in low- and middle-income countries die as a result of inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene each year, representing 60% of total diarrhoeal deaths. Poor sanitation is believed to be the main cause in some 432 000 of these deaths. Source: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/sanitation
- Diarrhoea remains a major killer but is largely preventable. Better sanitation and hygiene could prevent the deaths of 297 000 children aged under 5 years each year.
- Poor sanitation is linked to transmission of diseases such as cholera, diarrhoea, dysentery, hepatitis A, typhoid and polio and exacerbates stunting.
- “We live in a time when innovation and the rethinking of old ways of doing things are shaking up how we live our lives”
Hygiene is always a problem globally due to many factors; limited access to the water and sanitation, governments that don’t encourage or support the push for hygiene and the climate affecting the country.
How my device will work?
The User-Interface approach with the domain based around health and wellbeing for everyone. Improvement in health and wellbeing, I believe, will help people reach their maximum potential and performance in whatever they do; no matter what they do in their lifetime.
- Combining User-Interface in the Health and Wellbeing domain is essential to provide an assistive technology that could help improve hygiene.
- User-Interface to provide smooth access to the product. As well as provide the best navigational experience for the user.
A human-computer collaboration device that will work together to assist the user in maintaining their level of hygiene on their day-by-day basis.
- An earpiece device that operates in similarity to the iPhone’s “Siri” voice control function.
- This device will be an earpiece that reminds the user when to wash their hands, brush their teeth, shower, and many more activities to improve hygiene.
- Hovering over the earpiece after said activity will give the device “confirmation” that you did the activity.
- Will be an earpiece like a cordless earpiece – like the air pods, Apple product.
- The device will be waterproof as hygiene is heavily associated with the use of water.
- Similar details and materials to the air pods. With a few adjustments of the voice detection and temperature sensor for hovering actions over the piece.
- The problem would be the accessibility of the artefact being only limited to people in countries that are developed.
- Access to water and other resources that benefit their living.
- The voice command might be limited to only fluent English speakers. The inconveniences of having people with pronunciation difficulties might cause the device to be unresponsive.
- Device will be sensitive to body heat temperature, for when it hovers over the device. So other heat sources can cause the device to operate. Sources with similar heat temperatures to the human body temperature.
- Target audience: Those who are forgetful and need reminders to brush their teeth, wash hands, shower; the main hygiene actions.
- The app companion installed on mobile. Where the user can set the reminder time for when to perform actions each day. For example, you can set the time for “Brushing Teeth” at “6AM”, set “Wash Hands” or “Sanitise” every “4 Hours”. “Shower” before bed? Set the “Shower” reminder at 8PM.
- Will be in a form of a video, comprised of my companion app interface designs all shown on my phone. Going through every interface detail and commands.
App companion:
- Photoshop to design the interface and navigations of the companion app.
- Will benefit people in setting up their “Forgo”. Nice and easy navigation.
- A code is given with the Forgo device, so they could link it into the app and sync.
- After it syncs, the user can set up their reminder schedule to however they feel and once it is confirmed – the Forgo will activate and be on standby for the next scheduled reminder time. It will keep reminding the person until it loses battery – which will then have to be charged.
- The charging system works like a solar panel – the surface itself is a solar panel and it grabs energy from sunlight. Convenient and sustainable, and climate friendly.
Visualization:
- Inspirations from the Apple’s Air Pod. Similar aesthetics with the white colour, smooth edges and very simplistic design. I like this style and simplicity because it does not draw too much attention around others. Very low profile and effective – a device that is meant for the user and their private reminders.
- Has two air pockets on the side, that is where the command sound comes out of.
- The air pocket is made from silicon – the same heat resistant material used for solar panels, et cetera.
- The body is made from DuPont Vespel plastic – zero melting point and heat resistant.
Conclusion:
I believe my device will be very convenient in the future in terms of its destined purpose to improve sanitation and hygiene amongst people who are able to get access to water and sanitation. Who would of thought, that an idea that came to mind due to a personal inconsistence could spark motivation in a designer to further view their situation on a global scale? Accompanied with researches from the past and present, I could find insights on a device that could further improve sanitation and hygiene in developed countries – because in all honesty, we take these aspects of life for granted while people, who do not have access to any form of sanitation, pray that one day they will get an improvement in their life qualities through hygiene.
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