Understanding First Responders
Through extensive background research, interviews, and site visits with local firefighters, EMTs, and police officers, my team discovered that the greatest potential for e-bikes lies with paramedics (EMTs).
An EMT's Job
To deepen our understanding, I developed a user journey and Value Proposition Canvas for EMTs that served both to recognize pain points and as a baseline against which we later gauged the value created by our e-bike design.
Guiding Insight
First responders pride themselves on being first to arrive on scene. However, the average EMS response time in the US is 14 minutes.
Opportunities & Design Criteria
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Seamless integration: incorporation into existing systems without disrupting the current workflow
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Maneuverability: ability to access critical crisis areas that bigger vehicles (e.g. ambulances) cannot
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Visibility: command of attention on the road through color and light indicators
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Navigation: integrated GPS system for efficient wayfinding and retrieval of dispatch information
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Storage: easy access and storage of medical equipment
Mood Boards
At the start of the ideation process, we compiled several mood boards to guide our design decisions and visualize the emotions we want our design to provoke. We also used DALL-E as inspiration for form, patterns, and color.
Generated using DALL-E
Generated using DALL-E
Frame Design &
Initial Concepts
We explored a variety of forms for the bike frame, starting with the side view. When refining the concepts, we considered the placement of the basket, what to store, decals, color theory, and frame ergonomics. My contributions are shown below.
Refining the Concepts
We narrowed the ideas down to three concepts to explore further, with a focus on form and storage placement.
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Keeping the design criteria in mind, we further fleshed out the design for it to be translated into a CAD model.
CAD Development
Now that we have our vision, it's time to see it in 3D. The CAD model allowed us to see the physical space that the model occupies, how colors and decals should be used, and more areas of improvement.
*All CAD models and renders shown are my work.
Refinements
Some changes we made: removed the top tube for a quicker on/off process, refined the front basket, integrated a backboard, applied color theory, and reworked the decal placement for better visibility.
The CARE E-Bike
Digital interface + button controls
Backboard storage
Removed top tube
Medical bag storage
Features & Innovations
The refined model features medical bag storage; an integrated, foldable backboard; rear rack storage; and an interface system for navigation and quick access to dispatch information.
Bringing
to life
The Fabrication Process
From the CAD model, we brought the bike into its physical form by 3D-printing the frame, applying finishes, attaching the storage racks, fabricating the backboard, and fully assembling the parts to create a functional bike.
MAKING
THE FRAME
MAKING
THE COMPONENTS
Takeaways
It was amazing to see all aspects of my design education come together in the design of a product, service, and system. It incorporated CAD, visual design, branding, color theory, hierarchy, needfinding, and prototyping through the full design thinking process. Faced with many unexpected challenges throughout, I learned to make quick decisions, delegate tasks based on skills and interest, and trust the process. Also, Bondo smells terrible.