Our use of technology particually mobile has become interwoven into our lives, with the increased capabilities of smart phones and tablets, and the growing dominance of software several questions can be asked:
How should the design of technology in our homes change ?
Why do we still have many large black boxes full of our electronics ?
How can we make our technology more enviromentally friendly ?
This project describes the process of re-designing how we approach technology
design in our homes. Specifically with the aims of reducing redundancy, increasing interconnectivity
and improving the environmental credentials of the technology we design.
design in our homes. Specifically with the aims of reducing redundancy, increasing interconnectivity
and improving the environmental credentials of the technology we design.
The key concept followed is a drive towards modular computing and how designing for modularity
across technology platforms can yield many benefits.
Culminating in a modular, hardware, product – service - system that brings all home based technology
into a single system, simplifies technology interfaces and control, reduces redundancy, improves
flexibility, manageability and features environmental credentials superior to that of the conventional.
into a single system, simplifies technology interfaces and control, reduces redundancy, improves
flexibility, manageability and features environmental credentials superior to that of the conventional.
Freeing electronics from their shackles !
The seperation of electronics from their castings enables users to take more control over how they present their technology but also it enables a system that creates less waste, by enabling upgrades, expansion and adaptability.
With ever decreasing volumes taken up by electronic componants and a reduced need for bulky cooling equipment dedicated casings for electronics are becoming less and less nessesary, making room for a more modualar system to be used.
Design for modularity however has its difficulties with maket wide adoption required to exploit its potential fully. This would therefore require many businesses to change their current sales models, which may take a long time. As such this project aims to only explore the potential advantages of modular electronics within the home by following a Product - Service - System design process.
The SMART Module.
"A Conceptual Product - Service - System."
The SMART module is a modular casing design concept which allows for quick and simple electronic exchange, Aesthetic customisation, wide ranging connectivity and easy material seperation.
It works within the concept of a modular system in which the user can build their home technology system through the collection of modules adding to functionality with each addition.
It works within the concept of a modular system in which the user can build their home technology system through the collection of modules adding to functionality with each addition.
This design follows a brief to produce the simplest incarnation of the electronics casing, that allows for adaption to almost any possible technology integration (ability to adjust the interior volume), is made from recyclable materials and allows for easy material separation.
Key Technology Integration.
The use of the 5 most used hard line (wired) connections.
A collection of 5 stacked modules.
Displaying an exploded view of the module, in which electronic boards can be slide into position easily. Using all mechancial fixings for easy material seperation. The main case body is an aluminium extrusion allowing for the interior volume to be increased easily (increasing or decreasing it length).
Aesthetic customisation through exchanging the front panel materials.
Front and back view of a module with wooden panels and a leather pull strap.
Rear view of the module showing the 5 most commonly used wired connections allowing for maximum connectivity.
An example of a home system consisting of 10 modules, customised for its home.
Service.
The provision of a product - service - system within the technology market provides many benefits from the perspective of users, suppilers and the environment.
An improved relationship to customers and a business model that is much more adaptable to customers demands. All whilst retaining a stake in the products they make when users do not buy out right their products.
Environmentally the fact that producers retain a stake in their products means extending product life, re-use, recycling, reducing consumption, designing for modularity, disposing responsibly and energy efficientcy all become good business sense.
This service offers to the users the added benefits of system upgradability, set up, disposal and maintainance with either a rental or one-off payment.
