fitflex
Autumn 2023
Timeline: 10 weeks
Rhinoceros 3D + Keyshot + physical prototyping + Adobe Suite + Prusa 3D printing + Figma prototyping
A smart shoe device for a variety of activities.
Fitflex encourages those who want to improve their fitness goals to achieve higher athletic performance and helps create a deeper understanding of individualized training.
VIDEO ANIMATION
Check out the design process behind
↓
BACKGROUND
Currently, data trackers for regular exercisers are incredibly specialized, with limited settings that make it difficult for individuals to record various aspects of their performance. As a result, many athletes resort to using multiple devices to track their statistics.
Wearable Technology
|
Expensive
|
Require frequent charging
Bulky + uncomfortable
|
|
In the way of daily activities or distracting
|
Incompatible with some phones
|
Difficult to operate
COMPETITIVE AUDIT
GOALS + OPPORTUNITIES
BODY FIT
accommodating a wide range of device orientations on shoes and athletic abilities
WELLNESS
contributing to health promotion, higher athletic performance, & injury prevention
UNDERSTANDING
making methods of operation and use intuitive, clear, and unambiguous
PERSONALIZATION
incorporating opportunities for choice and expression of individual preferences
From running shoes to basketball sneakers to cleats, there is a shoe for almost every workout and sport.
Some essential criteria: the ability to monitor physical activities, integrate multiple sensors, connect to an app, and stay secure on shoes.
INITIAL IDEATION
MOODBOARD
Combining the tactile elements of my initial concepts, I wanted my device to have a slimmer, sleeker design integrated into a flexible strap for the user’s shoe.
REFINED CONCEPTS
Clip on tracker
This theme of clip on trackers focused on durablilty, a slim/small size, and rounded/circular features.
REFINED CONCEPTS
Shoelace integrated wrap
These concepts focused on integrated/subtle/sleek forms, flexible materials, and textures for traction and stability.
CAD ITERATIONS
I chose to go towards the direction of a clip-on tracker as it would be more accommodating and easier to attach to different types of athletic shoes.
Quick prototypes made of foam and 3D printed PLA were first made to visualize size.
2D Rhino files used to picture orthographic views and real life dimensions.
PROTOTYPING
My final concept was a rounded rectangular device in a flexible case that magnetically wraps around itself.
A couple of charging docks were prototyped to be compatible with a USB-C plug.
A variety of magnet sizes were used in the charging dock and device, each made with a few size variations of disk-shaped covers.
PLA printed prototypes (white) were initially made, then with TPU (black) to test out flexibility and size.
PHYSICAL MODEL
My final prototypes were created using 3D-printed pieces and other materials. The device is made of PLA and spray painted to mimic the stainless steel exterior of small electronic devices. The band is 3D printed TPU to demonstrate the flexibility of fitflex. Magnets, clear plastic, and printed screens were also used to complete the physical models.
fitflex features strong magnets within its case that can magnetize through thick shoes, enabling users to effortlessly fasten it onto a shoe’s heel collar, heel tab, or tongue.
A variety of small sensors are compacted inside the device to minimize the amount of tracking devices a user would normally use.
The compact charging dock is equipped with a USB-C port and a discreet extrusion that denotes its charging orientation, granting users the convenience of wirelessly charging their fitflex on any surface.
Positional and tracking data gathered from fitflex is summarized in the app, where users can also customize activities and set goals.
With its advanced tracking technology, it provides valuable insights into various aspects of one's workout or sport, such as step count, calories burned, and distance traveled, among others.
With low voltage e-ink display, fitflex is more comfortable on the eyes than other display types, offers better readability, has a longer battery life, and is cheaper to manufacture.
APP WIREFLOW
The fitflex app enables users to choose their preferred workout or sport and customize the movements they wish to monitor. Afterward, the fitflex system receives their movements and generates dynamic responses in return.
The final showcase setup!