Product Design Brainstorming

“You can feel creative tension when you sense the freedom to be creative, the harmony not via compliance only, but through brainstorming.”

― Pearl Zhu, Unpuzzling Innovation: Mastering Innovation Management in a Structural Way

Recap from last week...

This week started on an exciting note for VOSCUU Novus. Having worked tirelessly in the previous weeks to understand the main focus of the group, decide on a befitting name for the company, innovate to create a unique ground-breaking product, and identify the strengths and roles of each team member, this week, the group set-off to ensure that the design of product decided upon is well understood.

The previous week ended with the team lead, Shadrach assigning the task of doing background research on each component to be incorporated into the Pet LED Reflective Collar with GPS and Hidden Camera. The features listed and assigned in the last post are as follows:

1. GPS - Uzoma
2. Camera - Vishnu
3. LED - Uche
4. Passcode lock for the collar to secure the product - Chinonye
5. Strong material to secure to product to the pet's neck - Ojukwu
6. Hole for the leash 
7. Durable rechargeable battery - Chinonye

The deadline for the feedback on this was 4pm on the 29th of March, 2022 and the following was the summary of each of the features received:

The GPS

Global Positioning System (GPS) as a technology is a worldwide navigation system that uses radio waves. The technology which is majorly funded and controlled by the US Department of Defense (DoD) is formed composed of 24 satellites with their respective ground stations.

This feature is vital in identifying the exact real-time location of the pet at any given time.

GPS tracking device makes use of this technology to give information on the exact location of what is being monitored. For our project, the GPS tracker needed will have some specific features for product fit, marketing value, and customer experience.

Figure 1: Showing the relative size of the GPS

Based on the required application, the following would be vital to the selection of an applicable GPS;

1. Size and weight: Must be compact and light to ensure that the final product is the same.
2. Power source: Battery is needed for a GPS to work because it has an electronic receiver circuit responsible for signal reception from satellites. It would thus, need to be connected to the battery supply.
3. Technology version: The latest technology for GPS is 4G. This technology would be needed to ensure the efficiency of the system.

The brand OriginGPS having a compact dimension of 10x10x5.8mm and weighing only 2.5 grams is ideal. It is developed by Micro Hornet specifically for the wearable tech market. This is the smallest GPS tracker currently on the market.

The Camera

Figure 2: Showing the camera unit

The camera, just like the GPS must be light and compact. This feature enables the pet owner to see the environment where the pet is at the time. Some existing products include the Fredi HD Plus SQ11 Hidden Spy Camera which takes photos at a 12MP resolution with night vision capabilities.  The camera lens has a 120-degree capture angle has an inbuilt memory storage device with a long-lasting battery bank that can carry it for 100 minutes. A second case study is the Technoview Spy Mini Button Camera which is only 6 x 4 x 2cm and weighs only 12g. This camera has a 90 minute backup time and also has inbuilt storage with remote control access. The camera has a good quality vision with 30 frames per second in 720p.

Our camera would therefore be benchmarked based on these specifications.

The LED

An LED is a semiconductor device that gives off light due to Electroluminescence that is in response to the passage of an electric current. It has a pin configuration of Anode(+) and Cathode(-) and will only light up when voltage is applied in the forward direction of the diode.

Figure 3: Symbolic representation of an LED

Types of LEDs

Through-hole LEDs: These are available in different colors, shapes, and common sizes of 3mm, 5mm, and 8mm.

Figure 4: Through-hole LEDs

Surface Mount Light Emitting Diodes: These can be easily surface mounted and are available in different dimensions.

Figure 5: Surface Mount Light Emitting Diodes

Bi-Color LEDs: These can emit two colors. They usually have two anodes and a common cathode and the color emitted will depend on the configuration of the leads

Figure 6: Bi-Color LEDs

Red-Blue-Green Light Emitting Diodes (RBG LED): Contains three LEDs in a single chip and can emit a wide range of colors by Pulse Width Modulation technique

Figure 7: RBG LED

High Power Light Emitting Diodes: Unlike normal LEDs with power dissipation of a few mill watts, High power LEDs have a power rating of more than or equal to 1Watt.

Figure 8: High Power Light Emitting Diodes

For the purpose of this project, a surface-mounted LED that is configured to either glow, flash slowly, or flash rapidly will be used and will be available in different colors.

The Collar Passcode Lock

Figure 9: Collar Passcode Lock

The collar passcode lock is a security device for the collar to ensure that it does not get removed from the pet's neck. This lock is very compact and can only be unlocked with the knowledge of the password combination.

The Collar Material

The collar material is a rigid material having a reflective part for the LEDs. It has a ductile and strong wire similar to the brake cord of a bicycle to link up with the passcode lock. This would prevent theft of the collar either by cutting it or removal of the collar.

Figure 10: The material 

The material is made from nylon and polyester materials. The features below make the harness suitable for the product design.

a. Super strength

b. High abrasion resistance

c. Low snagging

d. Ease of use

e. Freedom of movement

Durable Rechargeable Battery

Figure 11: Lithium-ion battery

The battery is a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that has the capacity to power the system for at least 48 hours. The choice of battery is vital to ensure that the setup retains its lightweight, yet all components have sufficient power to operate.

Product Feature Review

On the 29th of March, 2022, the VOSCUU Novus team had a meeting to review the feature specifications in other to finalize and proceed with the product design phase.

The first point highlighted was the need for a circuit that combines the functionalities of all the features. Raspberry Pi was quickly suggested. However, after further research, some flexible circuit boards were found to be ideal.

The need for an internet network connection was then highlighted. This was because for the owner to view real-time streams, it needs to transmit this via the internet. This connectivity would also be required to remotely turn on and off the LED on the collar. However, incorporating internet connectivity into the system increases the cost of producing the product. It also makes the design more complex for the timeline of the project.

To solve these concerns, the system had to be modified. In place of the mobile phone remote control for the LEDs, a photosensor would be introduced. This system would then have five modes for the operation of the LEDs as follows;

- Mode 1: Off

- Mode 2: Rapid blinking signal

- Mode 3: Slow blinking

- Mode 4: Steady ON

- Mode 5: Automatic operation using the photosensor.

All these would be operated by the push of a single button one to five times. This eliminates the need for communication and makes the circuit more compact. 

As regards the camera, rather than have it send live updates, it would be able to take snapshots and store these in a memory card that would be on the device. It would then be used as a feature that can be used to review the images of the environment that the pet had been in while it might have been missing which is similar to the operation of the BlackBox in an airplane. The GPS still remains the only unit communicating real-time updates with the mobile phone since it does not need any internet communication protocol asides from the radio signals linking up with the satellite.

The next feature that needed further review was the material for the device. The team was in a dilemma as to whether to have the design as a collar or as a body harness. Those having the opinion of the body harness argued that it would give a more stable positioning for the camera and more surface area for the circuit. It would also be a fashion piece as multiple colors and designs can be created. The cons of this idea after being analyzed were however more. These cons included the cost which would definitely be increased and the fact that there is no need for a wide surface area as the entire device is able to fit into the collar dimension. The camera can also be in two units - one at either side of the collar to ensure that the views are not hindered at any point. The team however chose to stick to the choice of the collar.

The following was thus, the summary of the decisions made during the meeting;

1. A flexible circuit board would be introduced to the system.
2. The camera would only store pictures on the memory device of the collar.
3. The single camera would be replaced by two cameras for dual vision and positioned on both ends of the collar.
4. A photosensor would be introduced for automatic operation.
5. A five-stage control of the LED would be implemented.
6. Collar design would be maintained.

Based on the decisions highlighted above, new tasks were assigned for the week. These tasks were as follows;

1. A market research questionnaire was to be created to understand pet owners' behaviors. This task was assigned to Ojukwu with a deadline of 31st March 2022.
2. Product design was to be created and ready for team review. This task was assigned to Chinonye with a deadline of 6th April 2022.
3. The cost of all components selected is to be investigated to ensure that we have a low-cost end product. This task was assigned to Uche also with a deadline of 6th April 2022.
4. Research on the marketing mix was assigned to Vishnu.
5. The technical design of the circuit was to be done by Shadrach and with a first review date of 6th April 2022. 

As a team constantly driven by innovation, VOSCUU Novus seeks to develop durable products with top-notch quality at the lowest prices. Our next publication would highlight the feedback on each of the above tasks and seek to finalize the product design. The team would also look into creating a simulation of the functionalities and finally put together documentation of the entire project.

Thank you for reading. Feel free to share your thoughts and suggestions below. Watch out for more weekly publications from VOSCUU Novus.

...the future is now

Welcome to VOSCUU Nuvos

 

...the future is now

VOSCUU Novus is an engineering company driven by the curiosity of what the future holds for mankind. This drive makes us a one-stop shop for custom innovative solutions that improve the living conditions of people.

The company was established on the 16th of March 2022 in Nottingham, United Kingdom, and has 6 founding members. All of the members are studying for a Master's Degree in Engineering Management at Nottingham Trent University and are professionals with a technological background, having a whole lot to bring to the table. Some of these are highlighted below.

The name VOSCUU Novus was based on two aspects. VOSCUU was formed from the first letters of the names of the leadership team as follows; V - Vishnu, O - Ojukwu, S - Shadrach, C - Chinonye, U - Uchechukwu, U - Uzoma. Novus on the other hand was derived from the Latin word for innovation which literally can be translated as New Man.

Meet Our Leadership Team

Shadrach Olarewaju - Technical Design Team Lead

Shadrach Olarewaju is the Technical Design Team Lead who has a background in Electrical and Electronics Engineering. He has quality work experiences in companies like CasBel Limited where he developed skills in electrical panel building, Transcorp Power Limited where he got to understand the process of electrical power generation using gas turbines, and First Electric where he developed managerial competence and skills in electrical power generation from solar energy.

Shadrach loves to bring out the beauty of designs and has skills in graphic designs for company branding and marketing materials, UI/UX designs for mobile applications, modeling using AutoCAD, and a lot more. 

Although he may sometimes do graphic designing for fun, he also has swimming as a fun activity and according to him, he gets tempted to jump into any pool once he sees one.

Ojukwu GodsGift - Sales and Marketing Manager

Ojukwu GodsGift is the Sales and Marketing Manager of the company. He has a strong background in Mechanical Engineering and has a great flair for marketing. 

GodsGift has work experiences such as Tosett Agro refinery where he got equipped with mechanical engineering skills focused on processing agricultural products to yield customer satisfaction. He also worked with Rite Foods Limited as a mechanical engineer focused on solutions for beverage processing. 

He is particularly interested in manufacturing, maintenance, and more. Just like Shadrach, GodsGift also has activities that he does for fun. These activities include playing games, traveling and most importantly, he is a die-hard lover of football.

Uchechukwu Theresa Onwuatuelo - Procurement Manager

Uchechukwu Theresa Onwuatuelo is the Procurement Manager of VOSCUU Novus. She is well equipped with a background in Electrical and Electronics Engineering. This background enables her to understand the technicalities of every item being procured and maintain the quality of the company's products.

Uche as she is popularly called has quality experience in engineering consultancy having worked at Yaroson Partnership Limited, Abuja, Nigeria as an electrical engineer. She also has interests in building services, engineering designs, and supervision.

Uche has one of the most exciting hobbies, she loves to bake. She, therefore, would ensure that the company not only gets the best engineering material procurement but that the welfare of all staff is well catered to.

Vishnu Muraleedharan - Administrative Manager

Vishnu Muraleedharan is the company's Administrative Manager. He is passionate about coordinating the activities of the company and has a background in Mechanical Engineering. 

After his Bachelor's degree, Vishnu has had remarkable work experience in CNC operation in India. He is very much interested in quality assurance and quality control and is focused on ensuring that all VOSCUU's products meet the applicable standards and are of the best quality.

Vishnu is a lover of movies and loves to read a lot as these activities expand his thinking. He is, therefore, the right person to speak to gain insights into current happenings around the world.

Uzoma Gerald Nwokebuihe - Chief Financial Analyst

Uzoma Gerald Nwokebuihe is the company's Chief Financial Analyst who is responsible for managing the company's accounting operations and its financial reporting functions. He has a background in Geology.

Uzoma has Worked as Quality Assurance at Schlumberger Oilfield, Project Engineer at Bonnedo Engineering Services, and as Software Quality Tester at Scelloo Ltd. He is currently the project planner at NTU Enactus on Bright Greens project group. 

Uzoma has various professional interests such as Quality Management & Control, Project Development, and Process Improvement. 

He is also not only work-oriented but loves traveling, hiking, fishing, and going for picnics. To summarize his interests, Uzoma would rather have fun outdoors than indoors.

Chinonye Fortunate Ogbeje - Technical Marketing Design Specialist

Chinonye Fortunate Ogbeje is a multi-talented member of the company. As the Technical Marketing Design Specialist, he has strong skills in both the marketing and the technical design departments. He has a background in Mechanical Engineering and has a vast understanding of the field having successfully executed numerous projects towards the completion of his Bachelor's degree.

Chinonye is very much interested in Business and Marketing Analytics in Sports and Mechanical Engineering fields.

Talking about sports, he is a devout sportsman who has been passionate about football since he was younger. Now that he is much older, Chinonye also loves to travel as this gives him the opportunity to meet and interact with other people from various cultural backgrounds. He is indeed an explorer.

Our Journey So Far

The first week of the establishment started on the 16th of March 2022 and was focused on identifying a focus for the group which would be a vital factor used to determine the name of the establishment. The primary focus was identified as innovation and this was the basis for the name VOSCUU Novus meaning a team of innovative people.

The company's first innovation was achieved after a week of long deliberations.

The initial ideas for the project shared were as follows;

1. Bikers helmet with earphones and microphone

2. Remote-controlled mobile laptop stand.

3. Gloves with the heating element.

4. Pet LED reflector collar with GPS and hidden camera.

After researching on these, the following were the feedback;

1. Idea 1 and 3 exist with additional features. There would be a need to introduce more innovations.

Figure 1: Idea 1

Figure 2: Idea 3

2. Idea 2 does not exist however, there was a need for further brainstorming to develop its specifications.

Figure 3: A similar idea of the product

Figure 4: A basic laptop stand

3. Idea 4 does not exist, however, variants of this with single features exist. 

Figure 5: Dog collar with LED 

Figure 6: Dog collar with GPS

Design Platforms

The desired design software included the following:

a. AutoCAD

b. Word Press

c. MSPowerPoint

d. MSWord

e. MSExcel

f. Justinmind and more

Modes of Communication

The selected modes of communication were:

1. Whatsapp

2. MSTeams

3. Email

On the 23rd of March, 2022, the ideas were deliberated upon and ideas 2 and 4 were reviewed. Idea 2 was found to be limited in its market need and may be too complex and costly to implement. It was to have wheels to move around a room and adjust its height and orientation. This however brought concerns of collision detection and stability. The idea was then modified to a laptop stand with an iris tracker which can adjust the laptop orientation to suit the position of the user's eyes and head and aid its convenience of usage. 

Idea 4 was also reviewed and found to be far more viable as it was a compact solution and was very valuable to the target market. The marketing team was then immediately saddled with the task of developing a questionnaire to investigate the market demand, applicable price range, market location, and more. The design team was also to develop a design for the product while every team member had the task of developing background research on each of the features. The features are as listed below:

1. GPS.

2. Camera.

3. LED.

4. Passcode lock for the collar to secure the product.

5. Strong material to secure to product to pet's neck.

6. Hole for the leash.

7. Durable rechargeable battery.

These features would be highlighted in our next publication.

Thank you for reading. Feel free to share your thoughts and suggestions below. Watch out for more weekly publications from VOSCUU Novus.

...the future is now