Prototypes

The purpose of these prototypes are to communicate information about scale, form, and usage within three-dimensional space, and to elicit further ideation and feedback from both designers and users.

Prototype 1: The Cutting Board

Built by Gabby Wilson

Addressing the problem of chopping food without things rolling or falling onto the ground. The goal was to design a product that holds food in place so that one handed individuals will be able to cut them safely and sanitarily. The solution is below:

This is a prototype of an adaptive cutting board for one-handed individuals. The board itself is heavy and non-slip. Furthermore, the concave shape of the board prevents food from rolling away or off the surface.  The spikes assist with keeping food in place, and allow users to finely chop food. The removable insert helps transfer food and allows for easy clean-up. This solution comes with different styles of comfortable-grip, convex knives to work seamlessly on the curved surface of the board. The size and style of these knives allow users to have full control of the blade, preventing injury.

 

Prototype 2: Squeeze-A-Bowl

Built by Ethan Shust

Addressing the problem of mixing and stirring while keeping a bowl still. The goal was to design a product that prevents a mixing container from moving around and allows the user to easily lift and remove mixtures. The solution is below:

This is a prototype of an adaptive mixing bowl. We decided to create a malleable bowl that would not only allow the user to mix food with one hand, but also assist them in scraping, or squeezing, every last drop out of the bowl (a problem we identified during our shadowing). The stand at the bottom of the bowl has 3 suction cups which allow for the bowl to stay in place during mixing. This stand can be removed, which reveals a hole in the bottom of the bowl. This hole, along with the bowl’s malleable properties allow for substances to be squeezed out of the bottom. The bowl is able to be sealed at the top allowing for optimal function through physics.

 

Prototype 3: The Adaptive Strainer

Built by Armaan Malhotra

Addressing the problem of pouring heavy, boiling water out while remaining safe. The goal was to design a product that allows for minimum physical stress on the user while pouring hot liquid from a large pot, while also maximizing efficiency and minimizing injury risk. The solution is below:

This is a prototype of an adaptive strainer for one-handed individuals. This strainer allows users to avoid dealing with heavy, hot liquids. Before boiling the water, place the strainer in the pot (adjust the strainer to fit any size pot!), and make sure to clip the product onto one side of the pot. Once the water is hot, place noodles into the mesh bag and boil like normal. When your food is done, keep the clip on, and dump the bag of food into a bowl/plate.

 

Prototype 4: Push-to-Chop

Built by Bryan Babcock

Addressing the problem of chopping food without things rolling or falling onto the ground. The goal was to design a product that holds food in place so that one handed individuals will be able to cut them safely and sanitarily. The solution is below:

This is a prototype of an adaptive food chopper. This device is used to help one-handed individuals efficiently cut and slice products while holding them in place as well. While this device is lightweight, it is meant to remain stationary and placed on a table or counter. To use the Push-to-Chop, an individual will place the food they wish to cut on the wood cutting board base inside of the cutting chamber. The cutting chamber can be adjusted to become both smaller and larger, this allows the user to hold the food into place. The user will cut the food my using the handheld knife and a downward force of motion. Once the food has been chopped, the user will be able to lift the cutting chamber off the wooden board and push the cut ingredients onto their plate.  

 

Concept 5: The EZ Bowl

Built by Matt Dubin

Addressing the problem of mixing and stirring while keeping a bowl still. The goal was to design a product that prevents a mixing container from moving around and allows the user to easily lift and remove mixtures. The solution is below:

This is a prototype of an adaptive mixing bowl. The ergonomic design of the bowl allows for ease of use for one handed individuals. The top of the bowl is open allowing for ingredients to be poured in easily, and the detachable bottom allows for customization, greater functionality, and easy transfer of food. The mechanism on the bottom differs from other bowls on the market in that it requires an easy twist motion, as opposed to pulling it off. Finally, a key component of the bowl is interchanging different bottom pieces, allowing for adaptive cooking techniques, and specificity for recipes.

 

Click Here to view our final presentation and product pitch