MagPower
MagPower
MagPower
Collaborated with DynaMD engineering team, 34 doctors and physicians to design a new generation crutch to assist disabled, elder users to walk with security gait.
Swing Cane
stability, and functionality
Mobility Device
industrial Design
Miami
2020
Mass Production
Overview
Collaborated with DynaMD engineering team, 34 doctors, and physicians to design a new generation cane to assist disabled, older users to walk with a security gait.
Background
Interviewed end users, and got feedback from different doctors. Then break down the current product to find potential problems and design opportunities. There is a high population of patients who use normal canes with a high risk of a injury or second injury from a cane.
Problem Insights
In the current walking cane market, we find it difficult to come across products that truly meet the needs of users and help them overcome the obstacles they face daily. As a more commonly used mobility aid compared to crutches, a walking cane not only needs to be portable but must also offer reliable features that address the challenges of walking, such as preventing falls and reducing hand pain during use. Our users can trust that the base of their cane will allow them to walk confidently and comfortably on any terrain, relying on our design with assurance. Based on the following table, the challenges will be categorized into physical and psychological aspects.
Design Opportunity
This concept enables our let design to perform as a natural, intuitive extension of the body, accommodating and encouraging the body’s dynamic healing process. The result we are expecting: faster recovery. Reduced incidences of tripping and falling, bruising, chafing, and carpal tunnel syndrome. Significantly more comfortable. Therefore, we design each part of the cane to address the users' daily functional needs, helping them overcome both physical and psychological challenges.
The physical and psychological challenges faced by users
+
A
+
When using a cane, it's important to consider not only the placement of the feet but also the area where the bottom of the cane is placed.
B
Uncertainty in judging the terrain might lead to slipping if the cane fails to provide adequate support.
C
A cane with a standard cylindrical handgrip design can cause pain in the palm when used to support body weight for extended periods.
D
+
When the cane's hand grip cannot be securely grasped by the user, it becomes difficult to accurately place the cane at the intended spot when moving it downwards.
E
The feet of a typical cane are too small to handle most outdoor conditions effectively.
F
Most canes on the market lack an effective drainage system at the base to help with walking on wet surfaces.
G
+
Users find the overly simplistic design of most canes on the market challenging, requiring injured individuals to overcome difficulties and exercise excessive caution when learning to use them.
H
There are not many hospitals or doctors who provide proper instruction to patients and the elderly on how to use a cane for walking.
I
When walking, the angle of the cane does not allow the user to maintain a proper posture.
J
For injured users, a lack of trust in the cane can delay rehabilitation and increase the risk of secondary falls, as they struggle to walk with normal instinct and logic.
Identify issues from the existing products in the market
1
Exploring different product types to understand regulation.
2
Analysis current brand product lines
for Short-term injury, Long-term users, and Athletes.
3
Disable user interview to stand at user point to know pros and cons about product.
Hand Grip
The grip is wide and confidence-building. It helps your posture by encouraging you to stand up straighter. Built for indoors and outdoors.
Spring-Leaf creates haptic feedback for creator comfort. Enable to increase users to accurately place the cane's foot on the floor.
Task:(C+D+I+G+H+J)
Design Solutions
Task:(G+H+I+J)
Crossbow Tubing
it creates ultimate balance and control. The calculated alignment of the Cyclone Tip, ergonomic handgrip, and 12° Crossbow bend creates a neutral balance point for the user.
Hand Grip
Top Cap
12°
12°
Adjustment
Clip
Swing
Foot
Patented Foot
Task:(C+D+F+G+J)
The 12°Crossbow technology creates ultimate balance & Control
The rubber tread design at the bottom incorporates a drainage system similar to that of rain tires, effectively providing users with sufficient traction on wet surfaces while also being suitable for hiking and walking.
Swing Foot
Task:(A+B+D+E+G+H+I+J)
It rocks back and forth to keep the foot firmly planted to the ground for sure-footed walking on any terrain, just like your ankle works with your foot. The Swing Foot has built-in springs to dampen vibration when walking. It has deep tread channels to vent – water, sand, mud, dirt, and snow.
An experience that integrates all functions together
By integrating all components based on user intuition and ergonomics, users can walk in a correct, healthy, comfortable, and safe manner. The design logic centered around the swinging foot, in particular, allows users to intuitively mimic the natural movement of human legs. After a short period of use, they can quickly get accustomed to the device and feel confident in facing daily challenges.
Ideation Sketches + Prototype Test
Before the product entered mass production, extensive hand sketch ideation and continuous functional improvements were carried out. We also utilized 3D printing to produce components for extensive testing and frequent iterations. These parts were provided to doctors for practical testing. Throughout this process, we focused on optimizing the features for quick installation and easy replacement of parts, while effectively controlling the number of components to achieve both environmental sustainability and cost efficiency.
