OptiFit -- Wearable Eye Fitness Device
Personal Project | 2023 | 2 months | Individual
Problem: There is a growing concern about digital eye strain and the potential impact of extended screen time on eye health. People have been spending more time in front of screens, such as computers, smartphones, and tablets, which can lead to symptoms like eye fatigue, dryness, blurred vision, and discomfort.
Proposal: OptiFit is a wearable eye fitness device designed to promote eye health and reduce eye strain in today's digital age. It offers a range of exercises and massages to strengthen the ciliary muscles of the eye, improve focus, and prevent digital eye fatigue. This device seamlessly integrates into your daily routine, providing quick and effective solutions for maintaining optimal eye wellness in the modern world.
Visit YouTube to check out the product video.
Keywords: Consumer Electronics | Design for Healthcare | Research | Design Process
Research and Insights
This research endeavors to elucidate the intricate relationship between extended screen time and its potential adverse effects on vision, aiming to inform strategies for mitigating digital eye strain and promoting overall eye wellness.
Ideations and Prototyping
Most of the ideations are centered around developing a wearable device that not only alleviates eye fatigue but also encourages proactive eye fitness. Prototyping involved iterative design phases aimed at refining both form and functionality. Initial sketches to 3D models, each prototype iteration was tested rigorously to ensure the effectiveness of the device.
The Device
OptiFit combines polycarbonate (PC), aluminum, and soft cotton cushioning material to create a functional and comfortable experience for the user. The polycarbonate shell provides durability and protection for the internal components. Aluminum on the borders provide structural support and stability, enhancing the overall robustness of the device.
The areas that come in contact with the user’s face and head are cushioned. This soft Pima cotton ensure comfort during extended use. The adjustable elastic straps help secure the device in place. Allowing users to customize the fit according to their head size and comfort preferences.
Power and Controls
The whole device is controlled by a simple push power button present on the top left hand side. This ensures a singular control mechanism for the whole device, differentiated by texture and finish of the button itself.
The device harnesses the convenience of USB-C, placed at the opposite end of the power button for efficient power supply, not only for data transfer but also for ensuring uninterrupted eye fitness routines wherever you go.
Eye Massages
This integrates a set of vibration-based massages on certain acupoints as dictated by Japanese techniques to vision therapy around the eye to help relax the eye muscles.
A set of six micro vibrators have been placed at six acupoints (three on either side). The waxed cotton cushioning around each of the vibrator helps provide a softer surface against the skin, which can be more comfortable during use.
Eye Exercises
Once the muscles of the eyes are relaxed with the eye massages, the user can then proceed to exercise them, and according to vision therapy this would help strengthen their ciliary muscles;
Eye Push-Ups: The idea is to perform controlled movements that mimic the motion of doing a push-up with your eyelids, the user focuses on the subject and the subject sharpens and blurs while exercising.
Figure Eight: The figure eight exercise involves tracing the shape of a sideways "8" with your eyes. This movement helps to engage both the central and peripheral vision, promoting flexibility and coordination of eye muscles.
Motion Exercise: The user follows the light as it moves up and down and from one side to another, stimulating the eye muscles and improving vision.
User Interface
The app can be linked to your device and help users monitor their eye health and track improvements over time. The app is put in place to take care of all the secondary controls and tracking required, it helps collect long-term data on eye muscles, which can be valuable for identifying potential issues early and providing insights into preventive methods.
The interface used here is a dark interface, as they are considered beneficial for the eyes because they reduce the amount of blue light emitted by screens, which can cause eye strain and fatigue. Dark interfaces also create a more immersive and visually pleasing experience for many users.
Packaging
The packaging for OptiFit recycled virgin wood fiber coming from from responsible sources. OptiFit makes its packaging look as aesthetically pleasing as the device inside. Every corner of the box is clean, using simplistic primary colours, and the materials are high-quality. The packaging is environmentally friendly and more convenient to carry around.
fin.
