Oliver's Dog Treat Dispenser
A device designed for a wheelchair client and his service dog, Oliver
Project Overview
Challenge
Designing a physical product that releases a single, irregularly shaped dog treat each time, activated by a pinch-style motion from the user
Problem Statement
Our client faces limited mobility due to a spinal cord injury and requires an accessible solution to store, carry, and dispense treats for his service dog, Oliver.
Objectives
Develop a dog treat dispenser prototype that is ATTACHABLE, DETACHABLE, and CLEANABLE
Current User Issues
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Our client occasionally knocks over the treat bag when it isn’t secured to the wheelchair
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Our client sometimes unintentionally retrieves multiple dog treats from the bag at once
Budget
$50
Deliverables
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Functional product prototype meets top 10 user needs
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2 slide decks
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1 final poster
Tools
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Solidworks
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Adobe Illustrator
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Canva
Role
Nancy Yang -- Product Lead
Natalia Atabaki -- Design Lead
Jana Tantash -- Marketing
Stakeholders
Oliver (service dog)
Caregivers
Other dog owners that our client and Oliver interact with
Duration
1 month
DETAILED PROBLEM STATEMENT
Our client sustained a spinal cord injury resulting in significant paralysis from the neck down after a mountain biking accident in Spain, and faces challenges in storing, carrying, and delivering treats for his service dog Oliver due to limited mobility and dexterity. This issue is of paramount importance as it directly impacts our client's ability to care for Oliver, which is essential to his independence, and affects Oliver's training and well-being. This need arises in various settings where our client and Oliver are together, such as their home, outdoor activities such as walks in the Middlesex Fells, and community events such as the SCIBoston Gala. Our client would like to be able to give Oliver half a cup of dog treats per day, preferably using a button mechanism and with the ability to attach the device to his wheelchair.
USER'S CURRENT SOLUTION
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No wheelchair attachment
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No incremental dispensing
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Difficult closure
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No stability
EXISTING PRODUCT RESEARCH
Pez Candy Dispenser
Uxa, O. (1952). Candy Dispenser.
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Incorporates a metal string that functions as a spring slider, ensuring precise portion delivery
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Designed for ease of use, requiring minimal force, making it ideal for repetitive actions without causing strain
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Made from durable, lightweight plastics that balance cost-effectiveness with structural integrity
Quip Gum Dispenser
Koh, P., May, W. T., Enever, S., Krause, J., Candela, A., & Fratti, J. (2021, December 30). Dispensing Consumable.
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Transforms a manual flip into a linear motion for effective candy dispensing
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Vertical stacking of candy optimizes load distribution, saving space and ensuring a consistent dispensing force
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Functionality is seamlessly integrated into a minimalistic design, enhancing user experience while maintaining efficiency
USER NEEDS
1. Wheelchair-friendly
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2. Versatile Mobility
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3. Incremental Dispensing
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4. Easy Clean-up
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5. Safe Materials
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Easy to store in wheelchair (detachable and attachable)
Easy to move around in outdoor and indoor settings
Dispenses predetermined increments of treats
Easy to dissemble and clean
Use materials that are safe for our client and Oliver
6. Ambidextrous Design
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7. Daily Comfort
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8. Effortless Dispensing
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9. Secure Storage
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10. Inclusive Usability
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Usable by both left and right hands
Comfortable to use by our client for multiple times a day
Dispenses dog treats effortlessly with minimal force required
Keeps treats secure to prevent spilling (lock mechanism)
Accessible around other dogs, dog owners, and children
LOW-FIDELITY PROTOTYPE
Illustrations
Idea #1
Idea #2
Idea #3
Physical Low-Fidelity Products
MID-FIDELITY PROTOTYPE
funnel to refill treats
Sliding mechanism to push out treats
CAD Rendering
Mid-Fidelity 3D-print product
Issues with mid-fidelity product
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The funnel is unnecessarily big
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The lid is not user-friendly for closing and opening
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The slider's dimension is not ideal for a smooth sliding​​
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Use the screw to perform the sliding action instead of pushing the end of the slider in and out
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The holes inside are not large enough for irregular-round shaped dog treats
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Unattachable to the wheelchair
FINAL PROTOTYPE
AND IT WORKS!🎉🎊