The market for shared mobility has seen massive growths in recent years. Pollution and congestion requires us to rethink how we move around and new technologies make sharing continuously easier and more convenient. Society is slowly moving towards a mindset that values access over ownership, and this is also the case for (urban) mobility. Research has shown that convenience is the most important factor for people to engage in shared mobility and the rising demand leads to all kinds of light electric vehicles popping up in our streets. Especially e-bikes gain market quickly, both in the form of publicly shared vehicles as well as within corporate fleets. But with operating shared mobility programs also come challenges, and keeping all those vehicles charged is definitely a major one. Free-floating vehicles are often charged by manually swapping its batteries, while dock-based schemes rely on its users connecting the charger after use of the service. Docking stations for e-bikes exist that combine locking the bike in a physical dock with charging its batteries, but they are often expensive, take up a lot of valuable (public) space and are bike-specific. Next to that, contacts suffer from breaking, mechanical wear and corrosion. The start-up TILER is currently developing a universal wireless charging solution for e-bikes, however the physical form of a charging tile with an accommodating kickstand is not considered as the ideal physical form to apply wireless charging to shared vehicles. Therefore, a graduation project was set up to explore alternative solutions and design a universal and convenient charger for shared electric bicycles. The result of this project is the TILER Click, a product that makes charging an integral part of retrieving and returning shared e-bikes from their hub. The easy alignment in combination with a simple yet efficient clicking mechanism make the TILER Click so simple to connect and disconnect that it is no longer an effort to charge the bike. Placement of the receiver on the rear of the electric bicycle make the product extremely universal and versatile, regardless of bike geometry. The TILER Click offers a convenient, simple and reliable way of keeping e-bike fleets charged. With that, it not only enhances the experience of charging itself, but also has a positive impact on the user experience of the entire system. Being able to charge shared e-bikes in a uniform and simple way can play a crucial role in the future of (shared) mobility.

This project presents the study of flow (perfect focus) as a possible solution to the modern decrease in attention span, especially in young professionals. Two separate tests were conducted to study the possibility of measuring productivity as a correlation of focus levels. These led to the creation of a software capable of tracking work efficiency in front of the computer, nevertheless, it lacked an interface or interaction with the user. To solve this, an app was created, FlowTrain, which learns from the user’s productivity patterns and advises on the ideal moments to work on tasks to maximize flow output. The result is integrated into the window UI and is focused around the creation of a conditioning ritual to reduce phone use and the limitation of distractors during working moments.

This thesis describes the development of a new electronic mixing valve for
Quooker B.V., manufacturer of instant boiling water dispensing systems. A
mixing valve is able to control the blending of different liquids to ensure a
predetermined outcome. By integrating electronics into a mixing valve and
turning it into a mechanic product the user will be able to better control
and monitor the temperature, flow rate and volume of dispensed water.
Furthermore, a new electronic mixing valve is a foundational piece for future
innovations. During the project an initial research has been carried out. Findings of this research have been used in the design of three concepts, which were built
and tested. The best concept has been further embodied. Through testing,
simulations and research a viable and feasible product has been created
with the aid of Computer Aided Design (CAD). The final result of the thesis is
a simplified prototype and an assessment proposal for further development,
as well as a realistic electronic mixing valve concept for Quooker B.V.

This thesis explains the research into and implementation of overuse lower-limb injury prediction among military recruits, using wearable plantar-pressure sensing and biomechanical gait algorithms. The research has been done with the purpose of designing a usable, affordable and accurate injury-prevention tool, increasing both military wellbeing and operability. For years, researchers have gathered evidence of correlations between specific gait biomechanics of individuals and their influence on injury incidence. Using various types of laboratory equipment, such as pressure plates, walkways and treadmills, researchers found a strong correlation between parameters like cadence, vertical loading, (time to peak) heel rotation and local peak pressure values and different types of common overuse injuries in the lower limbs. However, laboratory tests often neglect the influence of footwear, distraction and fatigue. In addition, they are expensive and time-consuming tasks. One specific user group that suffers from a high incidence of overuse injuries is the military. About 3000 recruits follow basic military training each year, of which about 13% end up with one of three most common injuries: MTSS, iliotibial band syndrome and tibial stress fractures. Of those injured recruits, about 8% gets discharged from the military. This high rate is caused by the intensity of training, often accompanying high carried loads and pressure to perform. Specifically, the cumulation of repeated smaller impacts during marches is bound to cause overuse injury. The ability of commercially-used pressure-sensitive insoles to measure abnormality in injury-predictive gait parameters was tested in a series of studies. First, measurements from the insoles were compared to a commonly used gait-analysis tool: a GAITRite walkway (n=20). This study found no statistical agreement in sample-to-sample predictability. To validate whether those results could be caused by methodical differences, a second study was performed comparing the insole measurements of injured soldiers to those of control subjects (n=10). This test did result in significant between-group differences for all measured parameters. Furthermore, significant differences in parameters were found between walking on military boots and running shoes. A strategic study revealed that the product could find a competitive advantage in service and software innovation, with a focus on (a) accuracy while maintaining usability for specific user groups and (b) multi-diagnostic ability and spread market targeting (both b2b and b2c). Specific user demands were found and defined as a reduction in insecurity at various levels (e.g. where a soldier wants to be reassured about their personal fitness, a commander wants to ensure operation-readiness). A design proposal was created (Figure 1), based on research insights. The concept insole not only meets military-specific embodiment, hardware needs and improved sensor placement, but a service-design proposal enables both direct users and important stakeholders to use the data for injury prevention, rehabilitation, adaptation of footwear, operational management, training customization and general overuse-injury research. Besides meeting the needs within a military context, the product could be adjusted to meet the needs of other (occupational) overuse-injury sensitive users, such as police, hospital staff and factory workers. Clinical applications include automation of insole orthosis customization and prevention of ulceration among diabetic patients.

During my master thesis, I developed a method for designers to establish self-sustaining product systems in third world countries. This journey started off with the quest to fight plastic waste pollution of the rural areas in Kenya. After thorough field- and technological research, I developed a toolset that allows locals to transform plastic waste into products that allow for clean rainwater collection. From this experience, I drew insights, which can be applied for product design for development aid in general. These insights are formalized in a framework for designers.

I came to understand that the easiest way to give locals an incentive to clean up their environment is to show the value that the plastic waste has as a resource. These resources could be used as building materials to produce products that are highly needed in the everyday lives of Kenyans, like rooftops, gutters and water pipes. The advantage of looking at local resources from waste in this way is that users have access to all resources, needs and production methods and can thus be self-sufficient.

As I argue in this thesis, this approach is opposed to the way many other Western aid initiatives are tackling problems for African locals at the moment. Through introducing a seemingly meaningful product, a social problem might be successfully solved. However, after this product’s breakdown, only Western knowledge and resources can be employed to repair it. Hereby, an ongoing dependency between Western aid initiatives and African users is created.

In the first chapter, I write about aid initiative in Africa and argue about their fallacies as local problems are not looked at from a local perspective. Product-based aid projects will be discussed in detail to understand what impact product design has and how it can be improved.

In the second chapter, I will look at the problem from another perspective. I show how plastic waste is harming the ecological system in Kenya and how this waste can be taken as resources to solve local problems.
As a solution to the social needs and the ecological challenges, I propose a model of Self Sustaining Product Systems (SSPS) in chapter three. In these systems, local Africans are the both the actors and beneficiaries. The SSPS model allows for solving local problems with local resources. In order to design and implement SSPS, I introduce a framework for designers called Ripple (Resource Innovation for Products that Promote Local Empowerment) in chapter four. In the Ripple framework, I explain how to analyse, ideate, conceptualize, prototype, test and disseminate self-sustaining product systems. Each step is accompanied by depictions of the rainwater collection project in Kenya for clarification.

The Netherlands aims for a circular economy by 2050. One of the major challenges is using waste as a resource. Midwaste, a cooperative association that manages waste streams and covers around 130 municipalities for the plastic waste dossier, is contributing in working towards a circular economy. As the client of this project, it requested looking into creating a valuable product out of the leftover mix fraction out of domestic plastic waste.
Municipalities in the Netherlands are separating domestic plastic waste, PMD, from residual waste. After collection, it is separated further into mono streams to bring these back in the circle. However, not all the plastics can be separated yet, which results in 25% leftover mix fraction, consisting out of polyolefins and impurities. The composition and quality of the mix fluctuates, which makes it a challenging material to work with. Half of the mix is still burned and half of the mix is recycled into new products. However, there still is variety of possibilities and challenges for implementing the mix into products.

The initial goal in this project was to develop a valuable product with the mix to show its potential value. It appeared that the mix was not processed with rotational moulding yet. By doing some tests with agglomerate, both with producing powder out of agglomerate and rotomoulding this powder, the potential of this material using rotational moulding has been proved. The characteristics of this material processed by rotomoulding are still unknown. The biggest challenge in further development is producing suitable powder out the agglomerate that is made by the recycler. The impurities are challenging, both in damaging the grinding system and constipating the sieves of the machinery. Besides the impurities, there is another challenge in finding the right additives for this material to improve the characteristics.

Besides proving the potential of the leftover mix using rotomoulding, CirculEm has been developed. CirculEm is a small rain barrel, partially made out of the mix, that responds to two aspects regarding a circular economy. First, using waste as a resource, and secondly CirculEm responds to climate adaptation on a local level. The outside layer of the barrel is made out the mix that shows the expression of the recycled material. The inside layer of virgin PE provides strength and stiffness to the product. However, it is discussable to blend the mix with virgin material regarding to the end of life aspect of CirculEm. When characteristics are known, this multilayer construction could be optimised.

Research showed that products made out of the mix tell a good story. Combining ‘using waste as a resource’ with creating products that respond to other aspects that work towards a circular economy, like climate adaptation and energy transition, makes this story even stronger. The municipality of Breda and Rotterdam, seem interested in CirculEm, because they are looking for solutions regarding water management on private area. CirculEm might be the missing link between municipalities and the commonality by starting the collaboration in tackling climate adaptation on private areas.

This graduation project is about the development of a laptop stand that aims to allow flex workers to work ergonomically without losing the flexibility of their laptop. The graduation project is started with an entrepreneurial focus. The intention is therefore to to bring the product to the market. Currently, 11% of all work related illness in the Netherlands is expected to be caused by MSD (musculoskeletal disorders). As flex working is showing a rapid growth over the past ten years, the increase of laptop use for work is expected to increase as well. Since it is difficult to work ergonomically correct on a laptop (i.e. the screen and keyboard are attached to each other, forcing the user in a unnatural position while working), MSD complaints among workers are expected to further increase. Based on a literature study and online research a set of guidelines is determined for an ergonomic posture and workplace. These guidelines largely defined requirements for the laptop stand. A survey among 225 students is conducted to determine the magnitude of the problem and why current solutions are insufficient in preventing or curing MSD (musculoskeletal disorders). Four qualitative interviews gave additional insight in the underlying problem. These studies showed that over 60% of participants at least sometimes experience physical discomfort during laptop use. Yet, only a small number of people actually use ergonomic tools like laptop stands. The main reason mentioned by respondents is that it takes too much effort and time to transport and setup an ergonomic workplace. Existing laptop stands do not tackle this problem as they seem to be designed with only the product in mind rather than the complete user journey. Therefore, the goal was to design a laptop stand that makes it easy for users to work ergonomically, without losing the flexibility and appearance of a laptop. As the design of a laptop stand that focuses on solving the issues found was already started during Build Your Startup, the product development during this project mainly focuses on the detailing and optimization of the product's USPs: integration between laptop stand, keyboard and cover in combination with an automatic lifting system that allows users to work ergonomically within 20 seconds. For each component of the laptop stand iterations and design decisions are discussed. One of the key features is the integration of a spring-damper system that smoothly brings up the laptop stand to the required height. Secondly, a front grip keeps the laptop in place and gradually adjusts to the position of the laptop when changing the height. Thirdly, a simple slide mechanism allows users to lock and unlock the laptop stand so it can be safely transported. The final design can be seen in figure 1. A functional prototype is built to validate the assumptions during the design phases. Based on the prototype, the design is evaluated on the requirements as determined by the research studies. Executive summary Graduation report // pag 5 Due to the entrepreneurial basis of this project, there was an opportunity to join the course BPC (ID4315-16) which resulted in valuable feedback with regards to branding and positioning. Based on these results, a proposal is written for the brand DNA of Riggid; the company as started during BYS (ID5659) by Thomas Zwart and Igo Boerrigter. Based on the brand DNA, important aesthetic qualities are determined and tested in a survey. The laptop stand should look reliable, professional, premium and stylish. The survey showed promising results and valuable suggestions regarding customisation of colour and materials and small adjustments regarding the geometry of the product. Overall, the laptop stand is not yet ready for production as some requirements have not yet been met. The most critical steps forward will be the fine-tuning of the spring-damper system, doing ergonomic and usability tests with users and additional development towards the cover and aesthetic aspect of the design. However, during the project it was managed to fit all required components and functionalities within only a 10 mm aluminium casing, delivering full proof of concept and providing a clear way forward.

Airline profit margins are very small. In a highly competitive market, the challenge is to differentiate from other airlines. Differentiation within an airplane is difficult, because of the rigidity of an airplane and the strict regulations. The economy is in a lift, businesses allow their employees to fly business class more often. First class and business class only represent 10-15% of the total number of seats globally but is responsible for 50% of the revenue. This makes business class travel very relevant to major airliners

Seat comfort is a tool used by the airlines to differentiate themselves. Within a review of three business class seats, the participants were asked if there was something comfortable or uncomfortable about their sitting position. 30% of their answers mentioned shoulder, arm and hand comfort of which 65% was negative and 35% positive. 46% of this 30% explicitly mentioned the armrests.

The assignment was to improve the comfort of a business class armrest in order to improve the comfort of the entire seat. This project was done together with RECARO Aircraft Seating. The focus was on improving their current armrest (of their long-haul business class seat) in physical comfort and privacy. Furthermore, facilitating the activities reading and watching IFE (In Flight Entertainment) were selected to focus on.

During the analysis phase, general aspects that could be improved about the armrest and aspects of specific activities were identified. Some of these general aspects were, the asymmetric position of the armrests leading to skewed sitting positions, hard and slippery materials, the lack of space to place the arms and the lack of adjustability options. A specific opportunity for improvement for the activity reading was the conflict between getting tired arms from holding the reading device on eye level or feeling the tension in neck and shoulder when looking down to the reading device. Another area for improvement was observed specifically for the RECARO business class seat. When the seat moves forward to a more relaxed position, the armrests stay at the same place reducing the length available for the arms to rest on and reducing the width.

The final proposed design is an armrest which can be integrated into the current RECARO long-haul business class seat. The top part of the armrest can automatically move forward together with the seat so the space available for arm support while watching IFE is optimized. Both armrests have the same adjustability options to improve the symmetry of the sitting position. the up/down movement of the armrest can also be adjusted automatically with the same control panel as the seat adjustments.

The reading position is improved by the added function of upwards rotation and inwards rotation. When the armrests are placed under an angle the reading device is brought closer to eye height while supporting the arms. Participants experienced the new design as more comfortable for reading than the current armrest positioning during a user test.

An option for a privacy screen was designed to be added to the armrest. This involved a screen that rotates down originating from the current privacy panel. Although the panel improves the privacy significantly for sleeping, the effect only works if the armrests are moved fully up, which takes away moving space and does not improve the privacy for other sitting positions. Therefore a different solution for this needs to be sought.

Further improvement to the armrests can be made by searching for a way to make the inner armrest longer for reading. And the usability of the armrest design should be evaluated to check if the use is understood by the passengers.