KTH: Master of Science in Design and Product Development
Group work in direct collaboration with Husqvarna.
2019
Group work in direct collaboration with Husqvarna.
2019
Purpose
Husqvarna wanted to explore the possibility to expand their product catalog of lighting products to some of their already existing professional customer groups and therefore partnered with the
Design & Civil Engineering line at KTH to produce a greater number of options with the possibility of future production. This headlamp is thus created to aid arborists working in dark conditions.
Design & Civil Engineering line at KTH to produce a greater number of options with the possibility of future production. This headlamp is thus created to aid arborists working in dark conditions.
Arborists, sometimes called ”tree surgeons” work with inspecting, pruning and felling trees, usually in an urban environment. The work is usually carried out by climbing up a tree with the help of rope and safety harness while carrying a chainsaw and then cutting selected parts of the tree.
Process
In order to collect information about the problem, we investigated both the existing market and carried out several interviews and visits to working arborists. It emerged that the solutions available on the market did not attract arborists due to high cost or a design that risked to get caught in branches and other equipment.
Several lighting concepts were tested, ranging from products on the ground, attached to tree trunks, hanging from trees or in various places on the body. Everything had pros and cons, but
body mounted lighting came with fewer disadvantages as it didn’t slow down the work pace and helped reduce the risk of accidental glare.
body mounted lighting came with fewer disadvantages as it didn’t slow down the work pace and helped reduce the risk of accidental glare.
Different concepts and solution to provide lightning for the arborists based on different approaches.
Arborist in work ascending a tree.
Sketch & Development
The development process was very much iterative and we went through a large number of variations of different concepts before the final design had been developed.
The challenge was to produce a practical product and at the same time give it a style and appearance that would make it look like a natural part of the Husqvarna product line. We identified that the combination of plastic in high gloss orange and matte grey combined with softened angular lines and countersinks were key characteristics to create the Husqvarna aesthetic.
An array of product ideas experiment with function and appearance.
Problem & Solution
We learned from our conversation with arborist’s that their need for extra light was problematic as they disliked working during the dark hours of the day due to the risky work they performed. Headlamps were used but more sporadically ans most often during the beginning or end of the day. This demanded a product that would be there when needed but for the majority of the time would not interfere with the work being done.
The solution was a low-profile headlamp that is meant to be attached directly to the arborist’s helmet with adhesive tape to offer a flexible solution that doesn’t get in the way. The lamp has a shape that makes it blend into the shape of the helmet and avoids getting caught in branches or blocking different types of visors. The battery is replaceable and placed in the neck to better spread the weight. The lamp and battery are connected with a thin cable and everything is attached with self-adhesive tape directly to the helmet.
My contribution
Since it was a group work, some tasks were divided. All preparatory work was done jointly, but after the investigative phase the work was divided to specialize and streamline the work load.
I had a main responsibility for the development of the design, both for the concept that we ultimately used and for the ones that were opted out. I was also responsible for the production of the mockup model that was needed. The model was made by myself with use of CNC milling, 3D-printing in different materials and laser cutting in addition to spray painting. This later resulted in the highest marks for both model and project work.
