Consoul

What it does

Consoul is a mobile bassinet that repositions around the house to reduce exhaustion and lack of sleep in parents, helping them adjust to their new lifestyle. Consoul allows parents to recover post-childbirth and mitigates the risk of postpartum depression.

Your inspiration

An ABC news article featured a woman who took her own life due to her struggles with postpartum depression. It is often masked as "adjusting to motherhood", whereas the risk of leaving it unattended could lead to catastrophic suffering. Postpartum depression is one of the most underdiagnosed obstetric complication, affecting one in four women. Having a close cousin who is pregnant and a sister with plans to conceive, I fear for them and their mental well-being, which is why I pursued this topic wholeheartedly.

How it works

Bassinets are used for newborns from 0-6 months, which is also the critical postpartum period for parents. It is also recommended for babies to sleep next to their parents during the first six months, but not bed-sharing (unsafe). Consoul follows the parent around the house through a remote that is clipped on or held. The bassinet is height-adjustable through a linear actuator, steadily raising it from a bedside height to chest height, allowing parents to easily attend to their child whether standing or sitting. The bed is suspended using elastic bands, allowing parents to manually rock their baby to sleep. In-built speakers play soothing sounds such as a muffled heartbeat or gentle flow of bubbling water. The suspended bed and speakers mimic the womb and provide the baby with a sense of familiarity, giving them a good nights sleep. The bassinet has sensors for user tracking and object deviation to avoid collisions, and a hook-and-loop lining for easy cleaning.

Design process

I started by exploring all aspects of postpartum care, including postnatal support and the father’s role. My survey revealed exhaustion and lack of sleep as the most significant postnatal challenges, with many parents needing more help with infant care. I interviewed a mother who experienced postpartum depression and a mental health counsellor to better empathise and understand the emotional and practical struggles. To address these issues, I conducted market research and competitor analysis to determine key features, materials, and construction methods which led to brainstorming ideas for a bassinet that reduces movement and exhaustion. My research showed that bending over the cot to interact with the baby was tiring, and parents wanted to stay close. This led to a wave-form design for easy reach, replacing the traditional side door. The metal frame was refined for stability and safety, leaving room on the front and sides to avoid collision. The telescopic mechanism was inspired by height-adjustable tables, going from chest height to bedside height. I conducted a proof-of-concept suspension strength test using water bottles and elastic bands. The design evolved through cardboard and 3D-printed prototyping, ensuring a cohesive form while meeting ASTM Bassinet Safety Standards.

How it is different

The unique aspect of the bassinet is the ability to follow the parent around the house, eliminating the need for manual relocating. Traditional bassinets often require extra effort to move around the house, whereas Consoul minimizes movement and exhaustion while staying within reach while parents go about their daily tasks. The bassinet will move only when contracted, ensuring the movement is as stable as possible. It also features height adjustability, reducing back strain and making it easier to interact with the baby. The bassinet includes a suspended bed, which allows rocking to soothe the baby without picking them up, and a side storage for convenience. The wave design of the bassinet reduces the angle of reach, allowing parents to easily pick the child up or interact with them. Overall, the design prioritizes parent-child bonding while keeping the baby close, while ensuring safety, stability, and ease of use.

Future plans

While my bassinet design was part of my final year project, bringing it to market would require further market research, user testing, and refinement. For this project to progress, additional development with a baby product company would be key to refining the design. The initial launch would target new parents and be offered through hospitals as part of a rental program. If the product were picked up, I'd be excited to help further develop it to be market ready.

Awards