Redefining accessible gardening for everyone.
Redefining accessible gardening for everyone.
Redefining accessible gardening for everyone.
How can we rekindle the joy of gardening for those facing dexterity challenges?
Our answer: an all-in-one smart soil dibber, seed sower, and garden monitor that eliminates the demands of hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.
How can we rekindle the joy of gardening for those facing dexterity challenges?
Our answer: an all-in-one smart soil dibber, seed sower, and garden monitor that eliminates the demands of hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.
How can we rekindle the joy of gardening for those facing dexterity challenges?
Our answer: an all-in-one smart soil dibber, seed sower, and garden monitor that eliminates the demands of hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
We were inspired by the countless individuals around us who've had to set aside their cherished pastime due to arthritis and back pain. As part of our 'Industrial Design Engineering' module, we journeyed from initial paper sketches to a fully-functional electronic prototype to create Evergarden: A Garden for Everyone.
We were inspired by the countless individuals around us who've had to set aside their cherished pastime due to arthritis and back pain. As part of our 'Industrial Design Engineering' module, we journeyed from initial paper sketches to a fully-functional electronic prototype to create Evergarden: A Garden for Everyone.
HIGHLIGHTS
HIGHLIGHTS
Actuator design
Extension mechanism
Custom moisture sensors
Designed for manufacture & assembly (DfMA)
Actuator design
Extension mechanism
Custom moisture sensors
Designed for manufacture & assembly (DfMA)
MY ROLE
MY ROLE
User/market research, product design, CAD, FEA, UI/UX, prototyping
User/market research, product design, CAD, FEA, UI/UX, prototyping
User/market research, product design, CAD, FEA, UI/UX, prototyping
DURATION
DURATION
4 design engineering (2nd yr) students
4 design engineering (2nd yr) students
4 design engineering (2nd yr) students
THE APPROACH
THE APPROACH
In order to design a comfortable experience for those with dexterity challenges, we explored different ergonomics through anthropometric user research that would minimise the amount of force and precision required by the user. We went back and forth the drawing board and engineering checks, to ensure that our design choices were feasible for real-life implementation.
In order to design a comfortable experience for those with dexterity challenges, we explored different ergonomics through anthropometric user research that would minimise the amount of force and precision required by the user. We went back and forth the drawing board and engineering checks, to ensure that our design choices were feasible for real-life implementation.
RESULTS & FINAL DESIGNS
RESULTS & FINAL DESIGNS
We created a functional prototype that operates both physically and electronically. The size and design choices derived from user research were integrated into a comprehensive CAD assembly model, undergoing continuous refinement alongside electronics prototyping. This iterative process ensured a seamless fit for all components and efficient cable management, as well as the best balance between sleekness, size and wall thickness/strength.
We created a functional prototype that operates both physically and electronically. The size and design choices derived from user research were integrated into a comprehensive CAD assembly model, undergoing continuous refinement alongside electronics prototyping. This iterative process ensured a seamless fit for all components and efficient cable management, as well as the best balance between sleekness, size and wall thickness/strength.
Kneeling or bending down to garden in outdoor conditions was an issue that often overlapped with problems associated with dexterity. Having an easy to fit, snap in place extension mechanism helps to make our product more accessible. Button magnets are used to hold the different parts together. Magnetic connectors allow for circuitry to be disconnected and reconnected at different lengths.
Kneeling or bending down to garden in outdoor conditions was an issue that often overlapped with problems associated with dexterity. Having an easy to fit, snap in place extension mechanism helps to make our product more accessible. Button magnets are used to hold the different parts together. Magnetic connectors allow for circuitry to be disconnected and reconnected at different lengths.
Employing a linear actuator mechanism enabled the integration of soil dibbing and seed dispensing functionalities. A needle, affixed to the end, digs small holes and creates cavities for seed dispensing. Overcoming the challenge of maintaining compactness within a cylindrical housing while meeting mechanical performance requirements, we adopted a double-deck design using two servos, two pinions, and two racks in parallel.
Employing a linear actuator mechanism enabled the integration of soil dibbing and seed dispensing functionalities. A needle, affixed to the end, digs small holes and creates cavities for seed dispensing. Overcoming the challenge of maintaining compactness within a cylindrical housing while meeting mechanical performance requirements, we adopted a double-deck design using two servos, two pinions, and two racks in parallel.
The following electronic considerations were further needed to fulfill our product requirements: microcontroller, power supply/charging, moisture sensor, OLED screen, touch sensor, haptic motors. Off-shelf components were used, however, there wasn't a moisture sensor that could fit within our cross-section, thus we prototyped our own potential divider circuit, using galvanised steel wire as electrodes. All wires and components were finally soldered, ensuring there is no excess wiring.
The following electronic considerations were further needed to fulfill our product requirements: microcontroller, power supply/charging, moisture sensor, OLED screen, touch sensor, haptic motors. Off-shelf components were used, however, there wasn't a moisture sensor that could fit within our cross-section, thus we prototyped our own potential divider circuit, using galvanised steel wire as electrodes. All wires and components were finally soldered, ensuring there is no excess wiring.
LOAD TESTING & DFMA
LOAD TESTING & DFMA
We conducted Finite Element Analysis (FEA) on key structural components, simulating the user's entire arm weight in a worst-case scenario. Practical soil experiments helped approximate the force on the joint, and a remote force mimicked user pressure at the handle.
We conducted Finite Element Analysis (FEA) on key structural components, simulating the user's entire arm weight in a worst-case scenario. Practical soil experiments helped approximate the force on the joint, and a remote force mimicked user pressure at the handle.
Additional insights into modelling decisions for Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) are presented below, to ensure that the final product is easy to manufacture and assemble, and disassemble by the user.
Additional insights into modelling decisions for Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) are presented below, to ensure that the final product is easy to manufacture and assemble, and disassemble by the user.
BRANDING & APP
BRANDING & APP
The product was imagined to be under the home electronics company, LG. We chose a calm, desaturated, modern colour palette that connects their minimalistic brand image with gardening. The yellow provides a fun pop to the palette, reinforcing LG’s new visual identity. Our name, ‘Evergarden’, reflects our ethos of bringing back the joy of hobbies “for every gardener”.
The product was imagined to be under the home electronics company, LG. We chose a calm, desaturated, modern colour palette that connects their minimalistic brand image with gardening. The yellow provides a fun pop to the palette, reinforcing LG’s new visual identity. Our name, ‘Evergarden’, reflects our ethos of bringing back the joy of hobbies “for every gardener”.
To enhance user choice, we extended the functionality of the existing LG Home app to incorporate Evergarden. This integration allows users to plant specific seed types and receive customized sowing depths for optimal growth. The moisture sensor function is seamlessly accessible through the app. However, the Evergarden can be fully utilized as a standalone device for users who prefer an independent experience, as all outputs are conveniently displayed on the OLED screen.
To enhance user choice, we extended the functionality of the existing LG Home app to incorporate Evergarden. This integration allows users to plant specific seed types and receive customized sowing depths for optimal growth. The moisture sensor function is seamlessly accessible through the app. However, the Evergarden can be fully utilized as a standalone device for users who prefer an independent experience, as all outputs are conveniently displayed on the OLED screen.
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