Prototyping

Materials used to prototype

Backpack, cardboard, scissors, pen, tape, wire

How I built it

I cut out cardboard pieces for the cooling device, solar plates, buttons, the plug, the battery and tracking device, and the lock. I attached the two cooling plates to the back of the backpack. Then I drew solar plates on the cardboard piece that I cut out. I used blue and black pens. Then I attached the solar plates to the front of the backpack. I drew a small plug and attached that piece to the side of the backpack. On the other side of the backpack, I attached the buttons. I created the buttons by drawing them on a piece of cardboard. There is the on/off button, the + and - buttons to regulate the temperature, and a battery that shows you how much energy the backpack has. Then I attached all the pieces for the battery to each other, which resulted in a small rectangular box. Finally, I drew a number code on a small cardboard piece and attached it to the side of the backpack. I attached a little wire to that cardboard piece, which serves as the lock.

Features I want tested

(

Are the cooling plates uncomfortable on your back?

Are the buttons easy to reach?

Should the battery be smaller?

Is the lock uncomfortable to open/close?

)

1) Would you pay for the cooling?

2) Would you like to have heating too?

3) Would you include more buttons (would you like to see the temperature)?

4) Would you like the tracking/lock or are you not afraid at all of your backpack getting stolen?

Role: You are a Stanford student and you have to walk around between classes during the day. It is very hot because we are in California. You have to carry a backpack around to transport books/laptop. Would you like to have a cooling device in your backpack?

Imagine you live in a cold region. Would you like to have heating too?

Responses

1) Yes probably. In the summer

2) Yes, for the winter

3) Button for stages (Different stages of heat)

4) It is practical, as long as it is not disturbing the design

1) In the summer

2) Probably not, because you wear a jacket

3) Button for stages

4) Tracking should be available for additional purchase

Additional comments: Look that the temperature doesn’t affect your devices

1) Yeah I would pay for it

2) Yes that would be good. First place I feel cold is on the back

3) Both would be good (at the same time)

4) Lock is inconvenient, but tracking would be good

1) It is nice for hot wheater, especially in hot countries (Sahara, …). If I would only walk for a little bit, I wouldnt need it. (Hiking, tourism, … I would need it)

2) Yes, I would like to have that too

3) Stages (Low, medium, high, …)

4) Yes both would be good. Lock would not disrupt if you make it well

1) I wouldn’t need it, because I like to save money. You could target markets in hot countries.

2) No, because of jacket.

3) Not more buttons. I want the cheapest possible

4) Lock wouldn’t be necessary

You could make a portable small device that heats/cools