Integrating product design principles to design a smart assistive cane
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Edward E. Whitacre Jr. College of Engineering, Texas Tech University, Texas, United States.
Research Article
World Journal of Advanced Engineering Technology and Sciences, 2024, 13(02), 324–332.
Article DOI: 10.30574/wjaets.2024.13.2.0572
Publication history:
Received on 09 October 2024; revised on 20 November 2024; accepted on 22 November 2024
Abstract:
This paper presents the design of a smart assistive cane using the principles of product design and quality assurance. The smart cane is aimed at improving the safety and independence of individuals with walking difficulties. The proposed cane incorporates advanced features such as GPS navigation, fall detection, adjustable height, and integrated storage. A comprehensive design process was employed, including a thorough analysis of user needs through a Kano analysis, followed by the selection of appropriate materials and manufacturing methods. The cane's structural integrity and functionality were assessed through rigorous testing and finite element analysis. This research contributes to the development of assistive technologies that can incorporate user’s necessities and builds quality into the product with the design process, significantly enhancing the quality of life for individuals with mobility challenges. It serves as a potential demonstration to designers and researchers to incorporate product design, optimization, and quality assurance principles in design of similar assistive technologies and products.
Keywords:
Product design; Assistive technology; Smart cane; Design for manufacturing
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Copyright information:
Copyright © 2024 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Liscense 4.0