BedEase
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
This project involves designing a custom, ergonomic desk for Simon, enabling her to work comfortably from her bed. The desk will accommodate her laptop, tablet, mouse, and other personal items while addressing her need for ample space, adjustability in both height and angle, and easy portability. The design will prioritize lightweight, non-intrusive materials and ensure user comfort by eliminating sharp edges and creating a stable, tiltable platform that prevents items like the mouse from slipping off. The goal is to create a practical, adaptable solution that enhances her daily workflow while considering her unique physical needs.
The name “Bed Ease” reflects our focus on creating a solution that brings comfort and convenience to working from bed. It captures the essence of the project—designing a desk that eases the challenges faced by individuals with physical disabilities, making their workspace more accessible and efficient.
GROUP INFORMATION
Group Members:
Aradhita Maheshwari, ITP NYU
Roya Movahed, PhD IDM* NYU
Vasudha Devkota, IDM NYU
Project Mentor(s):
Amy Hurst
Anita Perr
Meeting times:
- 10/01/2024
OVERVIEW OF SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENTS
10/01/2024: Introductory Call
Understand the client’s needs and preferences for a custom-designed desk to be used in bed, accommodating physical disabilities in the lower half of her body.
Key Questions & Insights:
- Daily Use of Desk:
- Uses a laptop, tablet, mouse, and phone while working from her bed.
- Needs space for eating, drinking, and plugging in devices.
- Ergonomic mouse use is important, but current desk setups do not offer enough space.
- Current Challenges:
- The current table is too small to accommodate both her laptop and mouse.
- She uses a hospital bed but cannot use a typical hospital table as it is too large.
- Existing tiltable tables cause the mouse to slide off, making it difficult to work.
- Desk angles and size are uncomfortable; the desk edges are too sharp, and she has trouble adjusting the height and angle for comfortable typing.
- Desk stoppers hold the laptop but not the mouse, further limiting usability.
- Work Routine:
- Sits for approximately 7 hours a day, 5 days a week.
- Based in East Harlem; expressed willingness for a site visit if necessary.
- Desk Preferences:
- A larger desk surface is needed, especially in width.
- Desk should be adjustable in both height and angle, and compact enough to be stowed when not in use.
- Avoid materials that are too heavy or sharp. Metal may not be ideal due to weight.
- No need for storage options such as drawers for pens or papers.
- Additional Considerations:
- Interested in a solution where the desk can fold and be put behind the door.
- The desk must be sturdy enough to support her devices, though the exact weight requirement is unknown.
- Preference for a desk that does not poke out or become intrusive when folded away.
- Wheels for easy movement might be useful, but no definitive preference was noted.
10/21/2024: Midterm Progress Update
Introduction
Our project, BedEase, focuses on creating an ergonomic, foldable desk to support individuals with physical disabilities who need to work from bed. Through this competitive analysis, we aim to identify what is currently commercially available and explore DIY alternatives that solve similar problems. Additionally, we will explore related academic research in domains such as human-centered design, rehabilitation science, and occupational therapy.
Commercially Available Solutions:
There are several commercially available products that aim to provide ergonomic solutions for bed desk setups. However, these solutions come with limitations that BedEase aims to address. Below are three potential options:
Picture:
Description: This is an adjustable laptop stand that allows the user to set the height and angle of the surface. It is lightweight and foldable, which makes it portable. However, it lacks an anti-slip surface for the mouse and does not include soft padding to prevent discomfort over prolonged use.
Key Differentiation from BedEase: No anti-slip surface for mouse: BedEase includes a separate mouse area with a non-slip surface.
Limited comfort features: Our design focuses on user comfort, with padded wrist rests and curved edges.
Picture:
Description: This lap desk is multifunctional, with space for a laptop, tablet, and mouse. It includes a phone slot and a cushioned wrist rest. While it is portable, it does not offer tilt functionality, and its size may limit usability for individuals with multiple devices.
Key Differentiation from BedEase: Lacks adjustable tilt: BedEase offers tilt functionality to accommodate different working angles.
No foldable legs: Our design is focused on easy storage with foldable legs.
Picture:
Description: This product offers height and angle adjustability with a larger workspace. It also includes a drawer for storing small items and features foldable legs for easy storage. However, it doesn’t include any padded wrist rest or anti-slip surface for the mouse.
Key Differentiation from BedEase: No padding for comfort: BedEase includes soft, padded surfaces to improve comfort.
Customizable design: BedEase is tailored specifically to the user’s workspace needs and preferences.
Related Research in Similar Domains
Several academic fields have conducted research on ergonomic design and assistive technologies for individuals with physical disabilities. Here are three relevant papers:
- Ergonomic Design of Workstations for Disabled Users
Citation: Rizzo, M., et al. (2017). Ergonomic Design of Workstations for Disabled Users. Journal of Ergonomics, 25(4), 453-466.
Description: This paper explores the ergonomic challenges faced by individuals with disabilities in workstation setups. It highlights the need for customizable, user-friendly designs that adapt to individual needs and limitations, similar to the goals of BedEase.
- Examination of Overbed Tables: Healthcare Provider and User Preferences
Citation: Manganelli, Joe, et al. “Examination of Overbed Tables: Healthcare Provider and User Preferences.” Health Environments Research and Design Journal, vol. 6, no. 3, 2013.
Description: This particular paper was published in the HERD Journal, and discusses the findings of a study done on both patients and healthcare professionals interacting with the patients bed desk. The study found that many of the features in bed desks are not optimally used, and that both patients and staff at the hospital prefer larger bed desks, as they are used for daily objects and essentials, as well as storage of temporary used objects, such as grooming and dining.
- Blythedale Children’s Hospital Patient Rooms
Citation: “Blythedale Children’s Hospital Patient Rooms.” Futrus, futrus, https://futrus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Futrus_Universal_Overbed_Table_Case_Study.pdf
Description: A research survey discusses how bed desks have been user tested at a pediatric hospital in Valhalla in New York. The study finds through user testing, how to increase the longevity, sturdiness, and sterility of the bed desks, designed for pediatric, and vulnerable hospitalized children
Reflect on the impact of this solution
The current product our partner is using has several fundamental issues that limit its usability. These include a flimsy base that affects stability, the inability to tilt the desk for a more ergonomic setup, a surface area smaller than the bed frame, no dedicated grip for the mouse, and a lack of wrist support, all of which contribute to discomfort during extended use.
To address these challenges, we are proposing a series of solutions specifically tailored to her needs:
- Foldable Designs with Height Adjustment: We plan to incorporate a foldable design with adjustable height settings, allowing for easy storage and flexibility to accommodate various postures and bed heights. This feature will ensure that the desk can be used in different settings with minimal effort.
- Anti-Slip Surface for Mouse: Adding an anti-slip surface to the desk will ensure that the mouse stays securely in place during use, preventing frustration from constant repositioning, especially as she maneuvers the desk while in bed.
- Dedicated Mouse Section: We propose creating a separate section for the mouse that remains flat even when the desk is tilted. This will enable better ergonomic use of the mouse, allowing for smoother movement and reducing strain on the wrist and arm.
- Lightweight and Durable Materials: We are exploring the use of lightweight materials like aluminum or durable plastics to ensure the desk is easy to move without compromising on strength and durability. These materials will provide a balance between stability and portability, crucial for her daily use in bed.
Additionally, we are considering incorporating a wrist rest into the design to further improve comfort during extended use. These solutions aim to not only address the current pain points but also create a more functional and comfortable workspace that is custom-built for her unique needs.
How will your group ensure that your solution won’t interfere with your partner’s current daily activities?
Our group is committed to ensuring that the new product is fully aligned with our partner’s specific needs. To achieve this, we will begin by conducting more in-depth interviews with her, focusing not only on understanding her current pain points but also exploring her day-to-day experiences, preferences, and any unspoken challenges that may not have surfaced in previous discussions. These comprehensive interviews will allow us to gather detailed insights into how the current desk falls short and how we can design a solution that integrates seamlessly into her routine.
Once we’ve mapped out her pain points, we will move into the iterative design phase. In this phase, we plan to create multiple iterations of the product, each focusing on refining different aspects of the desk’s functionality and ergonomics. These iterations will include adjustments in height, tilt, stability, surface area, materials, and specialized features like mouse support and wrist rests. Prototyping will play a crucial role in this phase, as it will allow us to translate theoretical solutions into physical models that can be tested and evaluated.
Next, we will engage in user testing with our partner, introducing each prototype and observing how it performs in real-time scenarios. During these tests, we will pay close attention to her feedback on the product’s usability, comfort, and any remaining issues that were not previously identified. This hands-on testing will help us assess what aspects of the design work well and which require further refinement.
Finally, we will use the feedback from the testing phase to make the necessary modifications before moving into the final build stage. At this point, we will incorporate all adjustments based on our partner’s feedback to ensure that the final product is both functional and tailored to her unique needs. This iterative process ensures that the final solution is not just a generic product but a personalized desk that effectively enhances her comfort and productivity.
12/06/2024: Final Presentation
https://stream.nyu.edu/media/DAT+Final/1_kxaigx4f