The simple yet effective lighting device designed to help the vulnerable while empowering members of the community.
Product Description
Throughout the pandemic I observed how willing the community is to help each other, however there lacks a simple and efficient system to check in on neighbours or the vulnerable. The Community Check-In system is a visually engaging LED rainbow that sticks to the users window and indicates how they are feeling that day. A traffic light system ensures clear communication and ease of understanding (Green = Good, Orange = Okay but needs assistance, Red = Needs urgent help). The device is reset everyday when the occupant answers, “How are you feeling today?”.
The digital rainbow device is not intrusive, preventing vulnerable people being disturbed when not needing help, whilst empowering registered community members to offer assistance when needed. The device would be connected via cellular to an app/online platform providing safe communication links for details of medical and shopping requirements with the potential to be developed to include community activities/tasks.
Why entered the competition?
This product was inspired by observing some local communities encouraging people to stick a post-it note in their window to indicate how they are feeling. The colour system and visibility to the outside world is so simple yet extremely effective. However, the post-it note system is useless if the occupant doesn’t update it every morning. Therefore digitalising this system could improve the lives of many in isolation/vulnerable as well providing an easy way for members of the community to help others. The check-in system aims to create new connections within the community providing that initial spark of conversation between people that otherwise wouldn't have met. The shape was inspired by the array of rainbows we have recently seen displayed in windows of houses around the UK as a symbol of peace and hope. The rainbow device looks to continue to brighten up neighbourhoods and bring a smile to passing people.
Can you briefly outline how your design helps people isolated by Covid-19?
The Community Check-In system is simple and efficient system designed to help people isolating due to COVID-19, whilst empowering the community.
The Community Check-In system is a visually engaging LED rainbow that sticks to the users window and indicates how they are feeling that day. A traffic light system ensures clear communication and ease of understanding (Green = Good, Orange = Okay but needs assistance, Red = Needs urgent help). The device is reset everyday when the occupant answers, “How are you feeling today?”.
The digital rainbow device is not intrusive, preventing vulnerable people being disturbed when not needing help, whilst empowering registered community members to offer assistance when needed. The device would be connected via cellular to an app providing safe communication links for details of medical and shopping requirements with the potential to be developed to include community activities/tasks.
Can you explain what motivated you to come up with such a solution and take the time and effort to enter this challenge?
I am passionate about understanding and improving human experiences through design. After recently graduating in the current climate, the competition provided me with an opportunity to learn new things, problem solve and use innovative and inclusive design to help people live more independently, whilst encouraging empowerment - an important model for the future as demographics change and the balance of care shifts from institutional to home-based settings. I believe technology has the potential to create reliable and connected solutions, and I am excited to develop my ideas to create user friendly products that have a positive impact on people.
Can you briefly explain how your solution works both in terms of features and functionality (does it use an app, is it battery powered, what are the key functional blocks)?
The rainbow device is connected to an Amazon Gadget, via Bluetooth Low Energy, which uses the cloud for voice processing. Using the Amazon Alexa voice recognition system, the rainbow device is controlled by the user.
To visually indicate the response from the user, NeoPixels are integrated within the rainbow device. The Neopixels are individually controllable LEDs that can be arranged in a rainbow configuration to show a bright red, amber or green light signal in the window.
The app will have a simple interface where a member of the community can set up an account. This account will be verified to ensure the users are local and trusted members of the community. Using google maps, a clear graphic will be overlaid to show a rainbow over the houses of the vulnerable. The colour of the rainbow on the app will indicate the status of the vulnerable person that day. The member of the community can set up a proximity range (i.e. 100m, 500m, 1km) for notifications to be alerted when someone nearby needs urgent help.
How are the above features enabled technically including any Nordic chips and wireless technologies used, battery life (if applicable), sensors employed etc.?
A low-cost solution would be to use the Nordic Thingy:52 and using the phone for processing. The Nordic Thingy:52’s onboard microphone/speaker, colour changing LED and Thingy app on the phone can be adapted to create the Rainbow Device.
For improved voice recognition, the Nordic Thingy:52 could be connected to an Amazon gadget (ie. Amazon echo dot etc). The vulnerable person would speak to their echo device, the command is then processed in the Alexa cloud, the directive is sent back to the echo and then the directive is sent via Bluetooth the rainbow device (i.e Nordic Thingy:52).
Is this design a brand new concept or an evolution of something you’ve worked on/developed/were developing before?
This product was a brand new concept inspired by observing some local communities encouraging people to stick a post-it note in their window to indicate how they are feeling. The colour system and visibility to the outside world is so simple yet extremely effective. However, the post-it note system is useless if the occupant doesn’t update it every morning. Therefore, digitalising this system could improve the lives of many who are in isolation or vulnerable, as well providing an easy way for members of the community to help others.
Can you give us a brief summary of your background/career and where you would like to take your career in the future if you are a student?
I recently graduated with my masters in Product Design Engineering, which involved studying mechanical engineering at the University of Glasgow while also completing engineering design projects at the Glasgow School of Art. In addition to my study commitments I have volunteered as part of a small team at Handprints e-NABLE, designing, printing and fitting a custom elbow driven prosthetic for a young boy in Glasgow. From building robotic beer taps in Turkey to designing solutions improving efficiency in industrial power systems in China, to bringing a permanent water supply to a rural village in India, these internships have involved me in various projects across the world, involving diverse teams, different cultures and unique challenges. I enjoy the challenge of developing innovative solutions and thrive during collaborative work.
I am extremely passionate about promoting equality within STEM. This year I was President of the Female Engineering Society at the University of Glasgow; responsible for overseeing and organising events for around 100 members. We work to promote interest in engineering subjects for young people, in particular females, as they are underrepresented in the faculty.
I’m excited to start a graduate role at Koolmill - Koolmill technology leads the world in delivering a modern low power simplified and sustainable approach to cereal milling. Their vision is to transform a globally significant industry, move it to a sustainable future and lift millions from poverty. My first project investigates how to utilise Augmented Reality to service and build Koolmill machines remotely.
Is there anything else you think important worth mentioning about your design and why you developed it not covered by the questions above?
The check-in system aims to create new connections within the community as it provides that initial spark of conversation between people that otherwise wouldn't have met. The shape was inspired by the array of rainbows we have recently seen displayed in windows of houses around the UK as a symbol of peace and hope. The rainbow device looks to continue to brighten up neighbourhoods and bring a smile to passing people.