1. Background
The H-Ball was designed to provide a sense of presence between two people separated geographically. Through tangible interaction both users can sense and transmit their touch, mood and emotion to each other. Additionally, it is capable of providing a ludic experience allowing the users to playfully interact with each other. The H-Ball comes as a set of 2 handheld interactive devices, one for each user, and an inductive docking stand.
The main targeted users for the H-Ball are parent and child. After spending every waking hour together for the first 5 years of the child’s life, both parent and child face separation anxiety when the child begins school. While some of the user needs are shared, there are also specific needs suited to each user explained in the diagrams below.
Needs: Physical
Needs: Emotional
2. Performance
The H-Ball is designed to be easily and intuitively operated by users from ages 4+. The device becomes active by merely picking it up. The H-Ball will vibrate to provide feedback to the user that the device is operating. The receiving device will also vibrate but in a way that acts as a notification to the receiving user. Once both balls have been picked up the devices will pulsate simulating a heartbeat to signify connection to another living being.
Once connection is made the user can then communicate by pressing on the buttons and feeling the others input by means of reciprocated output. The devices cease to be live after one user releases their H-Ball for more than 10 seconds. The remaining user will feel a vibration to signify the end of communications.
All performances of the device will be discrete and no loud noise or lights will be perceivable from this device.
3. Size
The overall dimensions of the H-Ball were determined using the anthropometric data from Measure of a Man and a Woman. The range used was the 95th percentile of each gender; Resulting in the chosen overall dimension of 80mm in a sphere. The charging nest is designed just to house the ball and therefore was dimensioned so.
4. Weight
The weight of the H-Ball is expected to be approximately 400g. The detailed weight of each component is specified in the B.O.M.
5. Safety
The H-Ball is designed to be completely safe for the ages specified but as an added caution, contains no removable parts that could be potentially swallowed or choked on. The ball is designed to be played with and is designed to withstand all the forces associated to this behaviour. The plastic used is non toxic in addition to being unsusceptible to fracturing, and as such will not pose a laceration threat.
6. Environment / context
While the H-Ball is designed to be portable, the main targeted environment for use is at school for the child and at the office or workplace for the parent. However, there are alternative users and contexts for which the H-Ball is also well suited. This includes interaction between geographically separated couples as a means of showing affection and expressing love. Friends can also use the H-Ball to playfully interact with each other to assist in bridging an emotional gap cause by physical separation. Adults can be aware of the wellbeing of their elderly parents by subtly interacting with them through the product. These additional contexts, as well as the primary context, all operate primarily from within private environments. However, the H-Ball can readily be used wherever there is a wireless internet connection, and as such the product is durable enough to function properly in both indoor and outdoor environments.
7. Ergonomics
Due to the inherent form associated with the ball, the ergonomic factors are determined by its purpose.
8. Anthropometrics
As specified in the product size Section 3 the ball is designed to be used by the 95th percentile of both genders and operated in the hand. Due to the simple shape of the H-Ball there are no other significant implications of anthropometrics.
9. Aesthetics, appearance, finish
The finishes of the H-Ball are true to the materials and construction of the device. The main plastic contact surface and buttons have a smooth finish. The capacitive switches will have their natural chrome plated finish. Colours of the buttons and surfaces will be customisable in future versions of the H-Ball but for this pilot version the colour scheme is baby blue, light grey and gunmetal grey on two buttons each. The overall colour is white to symbolise the universal behaviour of the device.
10. Scale of production
The initial expected scale of production is 5000 complete units. Upon the success of the release the production scale will be ramped up and new tooling will be required
11. Cost
Using the 5000 units scale of production each device is expected about $200/unit. After the success of the first release the cost of individual units will decrease.
12. Consumer issues
As is mentioned in Section 19 the product is not designed to be upgradable or serviceable on a regular basis. However, should the consumer experience problems with the function or operation of the product and the warranty is still valid, the consumer can undergo the standard RMA procedure to rectify the function or operation of the product.
In minor cases of consumer issues the consumer can access the support line of H-Ball and follow the normal procedure of email or telephone communication.
13. Timescale
The H-Ball will be developed in the following timeframe:
- 6 months design development
- 4 months prototyping and user testing
- 1 month tooling manufacture
- 6 months initial production run
14. Testing
All H-Balls and corresponding devices will all be tested to withstand normal domestic use. Due to the behaviour of the youngest user, this product will need to withstand and exceed free-fall drops from 2m onto a hard surface (concrete). Some blemishing could be expected after repetition of this test.
The buttons function relies upon a device that has already undergone testing of forces and repetition speeds exceeding the requirements for this application. However the button is a custom part that will require testing to ensure the structure of the button can withstand the forces potentially applicable between the human hand and a hard surface.
Internally all components will be tested for security and shock forces that might occur in the aforementioned drop situation. After all testing is completed the H-Ball should additionally have an Ingress Protection (IP) rating of IP52. This enables the product to withstand dust and some level of water protection.
15. Competition
Currently, no products in the market aim to ease the separation of a mother and child during the start of schooling. Furthermore there are very few multiplayer gaming products available which are usable across all generations. However, the gaming experience provided by the H-Ball competes, on a secondary level, with a large market of multiplayer gaming products including consoles and toys.
16. Materials
All custom parts including the shell, internal assembly, feedback buttons and the charging dock will be constructed from ABS plastic. This material choice will allow for the intended surface finish, colour choice and aesthetic as discussed in section 9, while providing adequate strength and durability.
17. Manufacturing Processes
The custom parts that are used in this device are all injection moulded ABS plastic and this dictates the manufacturing process. The tools for the individual components will be CNC machined after the prototypes are complete. Once the tooling is made trial shots will be run to test the finish and accuracy of the tool. All the parts will be using a simple two part tool to extract the components. Using standard injection moulding methods the parts will be shot then refined to remove any seams or blemishes.
Once all the components are shot and finished the assembly process can begin. Initially all the capacitive switches will be inserted and then the PCB boards will be adhered in place. Then the motors will be secured and all the electronic components will be connected. Finally the battery will be inserted into the centre of the ball. The two halves can now be secured by means of snap-fit. Then the buttons can be secured onto the servo motors and the covers can be snap-fit to complete the assembly.
18. Product lifespan
Due to the immediate and short term need of the intended use of the H-Ball: a child’s first day of school, it is not necessary for the product to have an extended lifespan. However, a 12 month warranty is provided for peace of mind. It is expected that the H-Ball will operate for 5 years on average.
As the product is designed as a toy or domestic novelty the product is expected to not undergo regular maintenance. Although this is the case the product must be able to be disassembled in a RMA situation for repair if needed. The warranty on the product will be a 12 month general warranty.
