Iat Chi (ya-chi) Sin

Data collected from interviewing dog owners and research were synthesized.

empathy map

Ideation

Initial design_the Food Runner

Prototype of the Food Runner built using Lego NXT robot kit

After presenting to instructors and potential users, I receive concerns about the feasibility of the product and comments on enhancing the user-experience. Therefore I further brain-storm different approaches to distract dogs. I created working prototypes for my idea of a vibrating "running brush" with a food compartment attached.

I tested out both the "Food Runner" and the "vibrating brush" with my friend's six-month old husky. It turns out that the vibrating brush was able to keep the dog engaged for about 20 minutes. However on the other hand the dog was less interested in the Food Runner. Insight was made that the dog was curious about the random noise that the vibrating brush made. He likes to pick up the bottle and smash it on the ground, whereas the dog has mush less interest in the regular movement of the Food Runner.

Final design of the Buggy.