Ambitray

Information

Author: De Vries, J.H.M.
Contributor: Haisma, N., Pasman, G.J., Molenbroek, J.F.M.
Faculty: Industrial Design Engineering
Department: Industrial Design
Programme: Master of Science Design for Interaction
Type: Master thesis
Date: 1-3-2011
Keywords: Ambient experience | Retirees | Home | Lighting | Tray | Kitchen | Safety

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Abstract

The focus of this graduation assignment is on healthy elderly who have just retired from work and are willing to spend money on products that create comfort and ease in their homes. In the context of Health & Wellbeing, propositions should be focused on improving the quality of life of the target group, such as improving comfort due to age related ailments. Medical products, used under supervision of a doctor or medical specialist, are not in scope of this assignment. Furthermore the proposition should be based on the Philips brand pillars: easy to experience, designed around you and advanced. This means that it should be driven by consumer insights and based on end-user research. Also the solution should be accessible to the target group, regardless of their familiarity with technology.

The target group of this project contains young seniors between the age of 55 and 70 years. They are healthy or have little limitations only (depended seniors are excluded). At this moment the average age of retirement is 62 years, but will increase in the future. The largest amount of retirees, 4.3 million people, will be reached in 2038. Here, the focus will be on the Baby boom generation born between 1941 and 1955, who are the seniors of the future. On psychological and social field, the emphasis will be on hedonists and inquisitives. These people live in a social environment and are open to new ideas. 

Most retirees live together with a partner in a single-family dwelling. Most retirees feel fit, although they suffer from little ailments, such as deterioration of hearing, vision and mobility. New technology will be accepted by them when a product is useful, safe, payable and easy to use. They spent most of their money on their homes. Favorite hobbies in home are; internet, reading, cooking etc., however they also spent a lot of time together with their grand(children), family and friends.
The product should make life easier and provide a better quality of life. Sense plays an important role in this ambient experience. The five senses are; hearing, taste, smell, touch and sight. Philips has the philosophy: “What’s good for seniors is also good for young people.” This means they choose for a ‘design-for-all’ concept. Seniors do not want to be seen as old seniors and prefer a truthful quality product which is easily accessible.

After performing the exploratory phase, the scope of the project is to design a product for healthy retirees between 55 and 70 years. To get insight in the target group a context mapping study is performed, consisting of two parts; sensitizing package and observations & interviews. In total twenty participants contributed to this research. The research focused on activities in the kitchen such as cooking, guests, accidents and special moments. 

Statement cards are made of the observations and interviews. These are grouped into different themes, thereafter these themes are categorized into three possible design directions. The first direction is; ‘switching between lights’ in the kitchen. It turned out that retirees have difficulties with controlling the different lightings, for example while cooking. ‘Creating atmosphere’ is the second directions. Retirees try to create an ambient environment, especially for their grandchildren, family and friends. The third direction is ‘being in control’. Retirees encounter physically disabilities or are distracted while cooking, which causes accidents. However, they want to keep control. Many ideas were created for these three directions. Ten best ideas are chosen afterwards, according to twelve criteria such as; ambient, interactive, market opportunities etc. 

The three developed concepts are; 1. Anti-boiling over device, 2.Luminous tile, 3. Smart light. The anti-boiling over device prevents a pan from boiling over. The luminous tile provides functional as well as atmospheric lighting and is easy to control. The Smart light is a combination of the first two ideas but is integrated into the cooker hood.
Investigation has shown that the ‘luminous tile’ has the best opportunities, according to the present technology, competitors, opinion of target group and specialists.
Using the research results and the literature, the luminous tile is further developed. Finally a prototype is made to test the functionality with retirees. Their opinions and findings are used to finalize the product idea. These adjustments have led to the final product; the Ambitray. 

The Ambitray is a luminous serving tray in combination with an armature. The luminous serving tray contains a special lighting effect that provides an ambient atmosphere. Serving coffee on this luminous tray will surprise guests. Summer evenings and winter months will be even more cozy by using this product.
While having dinner the luminous tray creates an ambient background lighting when standing in the armature. It gives an everyday dinner something extra. Besides the charging function of the armature, it provides a functional lighting too. This lighting can be pointed in each preferable direction and reacts on hand gestures. Without touching the desirable light intensity can be set. The product will never keep you in the dark with the automatically motion and light detection.