Enhancing Helmet Design through User-Centered Approach

Sep 21, 2024

User-Centered Design

Introduction

  • Topic: User-Centered Design (UCD)
  • Importance in online platforms and physical products.
  • Direct impact on business: ease of use correlates with higher sales.

Issues with Physical Products

  • Many products (e.g., helmets) are difficult to use due to:
    • Legislation constraints
    • Material properties
  • Example: Motorcycle helmets often uncomfortable, leading to non-use.

Case Study: Helmet Design

  • Story of Mandar Kale (2007):
    • Student affected by friend's death in a motorcycle accident due to helmet non-use.
    • Highlighted the need for encouraging helmet use.
  • Statistics:
    • 140,000 deaths due to motorcycle accidents in 2015.
    • Increase in helmet compliance due to stricter fines.

Challenges in Helmet Design

  • Comfort vs. Safety:
    • Need to create comfortable yet safe helmets.
  • Understanding user context:
    • Cultural and socio-economic factors affect helmet design and usage.
  • Product Planning:
    • Importance of variety in design to cater to different users.

Market Research and Findings

  • Research showed:
    • High rates of head injuries and fatalities from motorcycle accidents.
    • Injuries often result from blunt trauma to the head.
  • Observations revealed:
    • Many people avoid wearing helmets due to discomfort.
    • Hot weather conditions exacerbate the issue.

Testing and Comparisons

  • Analysis of helmets from various price ranges:
    • Roadside helmets outperformed branded ones in crash tests.
    • Key finding: More effective use of thermocol (EPS) in roadside helmets.

Material Studies

  • Exploration of high-end materials (e.g., Kevlar, Lexan) for potential applications.
  • Examination of standards set by international bodies:
    • Standards often based on cold weather testing, not applicable to Indian conditions.

User-Centric Design Process

  • Important considerations for helmet design:
    • Easy to carry and store
    • Good ventilation
    • Lightweight
    • Secure fit without wobbling
    • Unobstructed vision
    • Facilitated hearing
  • Product Brief:
    • A brief is essential to guide development and ensure user needs are met.

Concept Development

  • Emphasis on brainstorming for diverse solutions.
  • Examples of innovative ideas:
    • Scarf-style closures for easier wear.
    • Ventilation enhancements through design.
    • Various storage solutions for convenience.
  • Ideas clustered into themes for focused development:
    • Ventilation Cluster
    • Storage Cluster
    • Ease of Wearing Cluster

Final Concept Development

  • Integration of feedback and ideas into a final design:
    • Combination of features to enhance usability while maintaining safety.
  • Concept A focused on ventilation and user comfort, with innovative strap design eliminating traditional buckles.

Conclusion

  • The importance of user-centered design in creating effective, market-relevant products, particularly in the safety segment.