2 meses 15 días

Role: Research, analysis y conceptualization.

B-OOM: partner workout tool

It promotes outdoor physical activity through play. The platform includes a musical maze where the goal is to move a marble to the center. Users interact by doing front and side squats.

Goal

To develop an artifact that allows two people to exercise together, either through collaboration or competition. The product must include water and apply ergonomic principles to ensure good interaction with the user. It should also follow inclusive design principles, with adaptations for people with visual disabilities.

Target

The users are pairs of people between 10 and 60 years old, with a maximum weight difference of 15 kilograms between them. The design allows people with low vision or total blindness to use it, thanks to podotactile pieces that work as a path and position guide, and the inclusion of braille plates.

Stage one: product conceptualization

Research and observation

The goal was to conceptualize the exercise device. We started by researching reference products, both analog and homologous. Then, we did field research in public parks using the AEIOU method. This research helped us understand how outdoor exercise machines work — something we later took into account — as well as how users interact with the product.

AEIOU scheme: Case 3. Image taken from the portfolio B-OOM: Couple Exerciser – adapted for people with visual disabilities.

AEIOU scheme: Case 5. Image taken from the portfolio B-OOM: Couple Exerciser – adapted for people with visual disabilities.

Conceptualization

An initial sketching stage was carried out to explore the product requirements: exercising for two people based on collaboration or competition, and the inclusion of water.

First sketching phase: number 4. Image taken from the portfolio B-OOM: Couple Exerciser – adapted for people with visual disabilities.

First sketching phase: number 5. Image taken from the portfolio B-OOM: Couple Exerciser – adapted for people with visual disabilities.

For the second stage of conceptualization, we considered some features from the first sketches and detailed new design proposals. In this phase, a game element was added — in this case, a maze created to stimulate and benefit users during the activation process.

First design proposal, part of the second sketching stage: concept 1. Image taken from the portfolio B-OOM: Couple Exerciser – adapted for people with visual disabilities.

Second design proposal, part of the second sketching stage: concept 1. Image taken from the portfolio B-OOM: Couple Exerciser – adapted for people with visual disabilities.

Analysis

In this analysis, we identified the type of physical activity that the user would do inside the object, as well as their needs. A hypothesis was created using four main points — about how the user acts based on the conceptual proposal. Based on this, our team developed a simulator using the first concept from the second sketching stage.

Simulator. Image taken from the portfolio B-OOM: Couple Exerciser – adapted for people with visual disabilities.

For the evaluation, my team conducted observation and testing of the simulator, focusing on how it worked in three case studies with participants aged between 14 and 52. I tested the handle and the ball height, considering the ergonomic measurements of the participants. I also analyzed the user experience and created a proposed usage sequence. Based on the results, we carried out a general analysis that informed the next phase of the project.

Usage sequence. Image taken from the portfolio B-OOM: Couple Exerciser – adapted for people with visual disabilities.

Phase two: inclusive design implementation

Research and proposal development

To develop inclusive design for people with low vision or total blindness, we carried out research on reference products. This research was divided into analog and homologous examples of products made for people with visual disabilities. After that, we defined the product’s design profile.Based on the product profile, we proposed different ideas to create a design that meets the project requirements.

Design proposal number two: Proposal development. Image taken from the portfolio B-OOM: Couple Exerciser – adapted for people with visual disabilities.

Design proposal number four: Proposal development. Image taken from the portfolio B-OOM: Couple Exerciser – adapted for people with visual disabilities.

During the development of the proposal, we focused on analyzing and selecting the right materials to match the concept of the exerciser. We also researched production processes that fit the proposal, including materials and suppliers.

B-OOM exerciser breakdown, Productive aspects. Image taken from the portfolio B-OOM: Couple Exerciser – adapted for people with visual disabilities.

Usage Sequence

1

Guided by vision or the podotactile path, users walk to the ends of the exerciser.

2

If needed, the person can read the instructions on the braille plate located at the end of the path.

3

Both users stand on the platform, holding the handrails. It is recommended that the person with a visual disability gets on first.

4

On the platform, both users must find their balance.

5

Between them, there is a maze with a ball inside. Users should move it to the center of the maze, guided by sight or the sound of musical notes made when the ball hits the metal plates.

6

When they decide to step off, both users coordinate verbally to step down with one foot on the same side of the exerciser, then lower the other foot.