Junyi Yan

UX & Product Design


Project Yan

Also known as brittle bone disease, osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a group of genetic disorders that causes fragility in patients’ bones.

AMBULO is a walking aid that empowers children with OI to exercise safely and move independently in an indoor environment.

Time

Jan-May 2022

Role

UX Designer

Industrial Designer

Tools

Figma

Rhino

Keyshot

Fig Jam

Photoshop

Team

Hanzhang Cao (Industrial Designer)

Award

2022 IF Design Talent Award

Solution Preview

To Understand the Problem

Problem Statement

OI patients may experience multiple bone fractures in their early lifetime, mainly limiting their freedom of mobility. As a result, they typically tend to avoid exercises that may cause damage to their body.

However, OI children may permanently weaken their muscles without exercise, further damaging their bodies. In addition, the disease and the surrounding environment are challenging to their mentality at a very young age.

Design Research

Age When the First OI Symptom Appeared

The majority of the OI symptoms appear within a month of a patient’s birth, but it may not happen until they are five years old.

Median Height of 8 Years Old OI Patients

Knowing their confirmed OI symptoms, patients need a walking aid that suits their height and leg length.

Exercises Practiced by OI Patients

The majority of OI patient conduct no exercise in their daily life which may cause debility in muscles and nerves

Demographic of Patient with Treatments

The majority of OI patients do not receive any treatment, which cause irreversible bone fractures and displacements

Frequency of Bone Fracture in Different Body Parts

Bearing the weight of the entire upper body, the Patients’ thighs and calf are most likely to break, while the arm can be fragile.

Severity of Scoliosis Caused by OI

Due to the fragile bones, OI patients stand a high chance of getting scoliosis, a sideways curvature of the spine.

Current Experience of OI Patients

Problem with Current Solutions

Wheel Chair

-Too wide to move around in indoor environment

-Possibly results in debility in lower body muscle and nerves

-Inconvenient turning and moving

Walking Aid

-Too wide to move around in indoor environment

-Potentially causes upper body injury in long term use

-Requires strong upper body strength

Moodboard

To Explore the Solution

Click to Scroll to the Section

Click to Scroll to the Section

Digital Solution

Digital Solution

Physical Solution

Physical Solution

Final Result
(Make sure you explored both solutions before seeing the result!)

Final Result
(Make sure you explored both solutions before seeing the result!)

Digital Solution

Design Criteria

Criteria 1

To empower OI children with easy access to control the movement of the walking-aid

To empower OI children with easy access to control the movement of the walking-aid

Criteria 2

To allow parents of OI children to set up movement collections and monitoring their movements

To allow the parents to set up movement collections and monitoring their movements

Criteria 3

To collect movement data, ensuring the right amount of exercise practiced by OI children

To collect movement data, ensuring the right amount of exercise for OI children

Wireframe

Ambulo Movement Control System Design

Setting Up the Movement Destinations

Through an intuitive drag and drop interface, users and their guardians can set up frequently used locations in the collection, moving Ambulo with one simple click.

Waking Up Next to Ambulo

An example of the most frequently used movement is going to the user. Users can summon Ambulo to their location at anytime.

Completing Tasks that Needed Adult Assistance

With one simple click, the user can complete difficult private task like showering by having Ambulo wait to pick him/her up.

Location and Manual Movement Control

Manual control allows users to precisely adjust Ambulo's position and movement. Assisting the user to get on the ride with ease.

Charging System Design

One Click that Brings Ambulo to Charge

Click on the "return to charger" button before sleep, driving Ambulo automatically back to its charger

Wireless Charger

Wireless charging happens when Ambulo’s charging port and charging spot contact each other, allowing user to charge Ambulo without bending down.

Self-parking Sensor

Ambulo automatically finds its charger through infrared ray sensor and automatically drives to charge.

Body Movement Stats

Stats Display and Goal Reset

As users utilizing casual movement as part of the daily rehabilitation and exercise opportunity, they can also check their workout progress or move distance for the day/week/month, matching the prescription of doctors.

Design Process

Home Page

Movement Control Page

Stats Page

Design System

Physical Solution

Design Criteria

Criteria 1

To enhance mobility of OI patient through compact spaces, creating a smooth experience moving indoor

To enhance mobility of OI patient through compact spaces, creating a smooth experience moving indoor

Criteria 2

To encourage OI patients to exercise independently and securely while correcting their body postures

To encourage OI patients to exercise independently and securely while correcting their body postures

Criteria 3

To match the aesthetic of the target user age group and eliminate discrimination against walking impairment through the body design

To match the aesthetic of the target user age group and eliminate discrimination against walking impairment through the body design

Sketches and Ideations

Exploration in Form

To explore the form of the walking-aid through ash, a wood material with wavy texture. The dynamic form evolves from the basic shape of the wheels.

Through the shaping of ash, a basic structure of the tricycle is elaborated. The waistline indicates the aerodynamics involvement of the design.

In the process of prototyping and exploring the form of the walking aid, an organic naturally appears which alines with the aesthetic of child related product.

Physical Product Design

Adjustable Height

Scoliosis Correction Seat Back

Movement Enhancement

Solution Preview

Final Outcome

The Change Ambulo Can Bring

Future Experience of OI Patients

And we won the IF Design Talent Award with Ambulo!

I’m currently available for full-time job

Let's talk about the projects!

Email: junyiyandesign@gmail.com

Junyi Yan

User Experience & Product Design

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