Lif Charging Case: A Fabric Prototype
An IoT charging device that promotes a happy, healthy Lif device
If you have been following along with the Lif prototyping process, welcome back! The Lif device has undergone several prototyping methods thus far, including analog prototyping, 3D CAD prototyping, and now fabric prototyping. Accomplishing a fabric construction paved the way for Lif to be equipped with a charging complement: the Lif charging case. We will recap the user group for this design, view the prototype, and then analyze this design's feasibility.
Design
The Lif charging case has a similar audience to the Lif device: people interested in sustaining their plants’ health. Though the charging case's direct user group is the actual Lif device, plant-owners will be the people who interact with the device. With this in mind, the charging case must be useable for both the Lif and humans. Thus, my investigation's purpose is unveiled: is the fabric charging case feasible, viable, and desirable for both humans and the Lif IoT device?
The charging case acts similarly to the famed Apple AirPod charging case: the main device is placed into the case and charges. The act of charging is indicated by a light that turns on, and when the Lif is fully charged, the light on the case turns off. Before testing the charging case, I knew it would be desirable because it would act as a storage and charging method for Lif. I questioned whether it would be viable or feasible due to the unique shape of the device and the stem that comes off the back.
Prototype
Constructing the Lif charging case proved to be a bit more challenging than prior prototyping methods. Using an old T-Shirt and thread, I crafted the main exterior of the charging case. I shaped it using the analog Lif model and made sure this component fit before adding the LED component. Subsequently, I added conductive thread, snaps, and an LED to construct the charging case's light feature. Powered by a coin battery, I built a circuit that would operate by inserting the Lif into the charging case through the opening on the side.
Once inserted, I would connect the snaps to complete the circuit and cause the LED to light up.
I chose these materials as they represent the charging case in a ‘good enough’ fashion. That is, the fabric construction shows the functionality of the case without being of high fidelity. The materials I used were easy to work with, not counting the circuit materials, which made this construction more complicated than I originally thought. Despite the challenges, these materials collectively made the charging case operate for its intended function.
Analysis
Testing the charging case on my analog Lif device was successful and can be viewed in the following video:
As shown in the video, it takes the human user a bit of time to successfully insert and operate the Lif charging case. Further, the snaps were difficult to control in the flimsy shirt material. Considering these limitations, the current prototype is not accessible to those with limited hand mobility and motor control. It would also be challenging for a person with limited vision to know whether the Lif device is charging as the only output mode is the visual LED. Replete with accessibility concerns, I would change the next iteration of this case dramatically. I would choose an alternate material that provides more structure and is thus easier to interact with. I would also choose another output mode to indicate charging. Additionally, the current prototype makes it hard to tell if the Lif device is fully charged or if the case is not working as both of these are indicated by a non-lit LED.
The process I would take to pursue another iteration would include generative prototyping to understand if I missed another lucrative idea. Using this generative method, I would have many avenues to explore and test with my analog prototype. I would test accessibility features for the case to have optimized usability for both the Lif device and humans.
Withal, I still believe the idea of a charging case for Lif is desirable as the device needs to be charged. Though, testing proved this specific iteration not to be viable or feasible. The case is hard to work with and has poor functionality indicators. With future iterations, I think the Lif charging case has the opportunity to improve its viability and feasibility.
