PSS design research

Reflection 3:Who killed the electric car?

This video showed us the how electric car had been ‘killed’ and the real reason behind it. Most vehicles are petroleum based. But the problem is that fossil fuels are non-renewable resources because they take millions of years to form. And reserves are being depleted much faster than new ones are being made. It was a very good intention to bring electric cars into the market. They are much cheaper and of course more environmental friendly. As the production and use of fossil fuels raise environmental concerns, it seems electric cars provide us a solution to the problem. But why electric car was hold up? There are several reasons, but the real reason is that some people were so selfish that they ‘killed’ electric car for their own benefits.

The very first electric car invented was named EV1, it was revolutionary. But it disappeared after all. It did have some limitation. It was created for rent only, and needed to be charged frequently. But many people who’ve used the car found it much better than car consume gasoline for everyday use. General Motors, who invented EV1, realized it was a threat to their existing products and stopped the production of EV1.

The real murderers are the oil corporation and the government. It is well known that oil industry is highly profitable. There is no doubt that oil corporation will protect their benefits. But what was the government’s role in this? From passing the clean air acts, we could assume the government was supportive of electric cars. But when Oil Corporation started to lobby against the electric car, the government turned their side.

Despite all the shocking facts showed in the video. There is still a bright future for renewable resources. People now are starting to concern the environment and the future of the planet more than ever before. And a global movement toward the generation of renewable energy is therefore under way to help meet increased energy needs.­

Project 2: Peer Comments

Jin Yueyue
i think the idea is great. it's environmentally friendly that to reuse the freezer package. your product service system is very useful, it's more convenience than the current one.
for your poster, it would be better to show the location of medical center on the map.


Yuliang Gu
your pss design is very practical.  the plate rental system really helps to reduce the amount of disposal plates use. usually it is very difficult to collect plates by human in than situation.
your research has strongly support your design. by using this machine, it will constraint people from throwing their plate away. i really like it.

Frankie Ho
I really like your concept that to install a GPS on bike. and i really like your idea that to use energy generated by bike to charge the gps. it's a good way to encourage people to do more exercise.
i think you can put more bikes in the station.

 
Ke Zhang
I think this idea is pretty good,located it in shopping center is more convenience for parents to rent a toy than went to library. Nice idea ~!
but the shape could be more interesting to attract children attention, and the dimension maybe  to high for children.


Ben Chan
your PSS looks very playful. it makes recycle glass bottles more interesting. the machine is very simple to use.
it's very useful. i think it would be better to show where the machine located on the map.

Project2: PSS

  

For this project, I propose to design a solar energy powered scooter rental system. It is mainly designed for schools or universities with relatively large campus. To get to different class venues, some people choose to walk to their destination, and many people will choose to drive. The exhaust emitted will do harm to the environment. And this scooter rental system is believed to be a potential solution. This system provides solar energy powered scooters for rent at every building on the campus and train station. The system makes it much easier and more convenient to go to different class venues. And more importantly, it’s environmental friendly.

Compare to the other systems, it is more flexible with the travelling route and it’s more environmentally friendly, because it using solar energy, therefore the Greenhouse Gas emission will sharply reduce. Also it will reduce the need of individual space, has less restriction on road, no petrol cost.

A university student arrives at the train station and using their id to rent a scooter at charging point, by insert their id card to (UN) lock the scooter and use it travelling between station and buildings. When they arrive at their destination, they put scooter back to the charging point around building.

After they finished their class, they travel in the campus.

Once they log out. They pay for the time of use of scooter

The money will spend on maintenance the product and service.

For this product service system, a trip starts when you release a scooter and ends when you dock it at any charging point.

For the casual users, the first 10 mins are free and members get first 20 min for free. After that, it will charge $1/30 min.

A card reader will installed at one of the handle of scooter. Once you insert you personal id, it will un lock the scooter and you can just pull off scooter from the docking point.

Return scooter to any charging station. Push the front wheel into docking point. When the red light is indicate the scooter is charging and you will log out from your account.

The lock are connect with electric. There is a button, when pushing front wheel into docking point, the button will be pushed in. The lock and charger will pop out. Then the scooter will be locked and charging.

If you just want to make a quick stop, you can remove your card, and the scooter will be locked but still reserved under your account.

Design Lifecycle - Improving Product lifetime

MATERIAL

Aluminium ： Main Body casting & exterior visual components;
ABS： button assembly & chrome plated aesthetic finish; 
Nylon： electronic housing/heat resistant components; 
Rubber： Feet;
Galvanised Steel Plate ： internal plate components;
Polypropylene ： Base plate/chassis, some small internal components;
Mica sheeting： heat insulation/heating element wrapping
Electronic components ： wrapped around front and back of toasting compartment.

MANUFACTURE PROCESS

 Aluminium and Steel：sheet forming, cold working, stamping
Aluminium Main Body ： Injection moulded, washed and painted/anodised
Nylon ： injection moulded
ABS ： Injection moulded 
Polypropylene ： Injection moulded



IMPROVEMENT

Project 1: Focus Group Feedback

Summary of what my peers in my focus group said regarding my product:
No product graphics
Too much writing on poster. use images to tell a story. 
No ergonomic details 
Need to consider if crumbs goes into packaging. 
Refill pack: where is going to put in the market. 
How to refill.(From top or bottom?)
Graphics for exterior of packaging to make clear what the product is.
Show the actual size of the product
Show more about who target market is. 


Recommendations
Graphics make product more obvious How To Use.
Add more information about the market position and transportation.
Colour should match with the product.
Use more images to present.
Add more manufacturing detail.

Project 2 concepts