AYO

Para qué sirve

AYO is a portable air purifier that outpatient nurses bring into patients' homes. It improves air quality and odour, contributing to a greater sense of well-being for patients and carers alike.

Qué te inspiró

The healthcare sector is currently facing a number of challenges. These include demographic ageing in Germany, resulting in an increased demand for care and exacerbating the shortage of nursing staff. This is also due to the harsh working conditions and unattractive nature of the profession. In my Bachelor's thesis, I wanted to address a relevant topic, focusing on these issues. I conducted interviews with seven carers, who helped me to identify specific pain points and determinde that the unpleasant smell in the patients' homes was a key issue. This is closely linked to the issue of faeces and also influences the profession’s image.

Cómo funciona

AYO is taken into the patient's home, where the hook on the handle is slid out and the device is hung on the back of a chair. When switched on, the centrifugal fan in the centre is driven by a small electric motor and draws in room air through the perforated grille on the underside. Three filters are positioned behind the grille: The first removes coarse particles, the second is an activated carbon filter that removes gases and odours and the third is a HEPA filter that removes germs. The air is then pulled past the electric motor, through the fan, and expelled through the air holes at the top. A fragrance stick enriched with essential oils can be inserted into the airflow above the fan. This disperses the fragrance and essential oil throughout the room. The fan speed, which determines the airflow rate, can be adjusted using the display. The same applies to the main display, which can show either the remaining time in minutes or the air quality in PM2.5.

Proceso de diseño

I carried out extensive research and interviews, looking for specific problems in nursing. Using these, I sketched out initial ideas and then focused on the issue of unpleasant odours. I then reviewed the resulting concept again with interviews, from which I was able to derive requirements for the project. Alongside market research, this enable me to determine the elements and their size. At the same time, I established the semantic requirements: The device should appear light and portable, friendly and cosy, yet also medical and hygienic. With the help of these requirements, I sketched and analysed the first designs. I modelled my favourites in rigid foam to further develop their size and basic shape. The packaging was also taken into consideration. Once the basic structure was finalised, the details were worked out. With further sketches, incorporating a comfortable handle, a central grid, an intuitive display and analogue fragrance sticks, the final design was created. I visualised it digitally in Rhino. To better understand the handling and user-friendliness, a dummy was built, which shows the basic shape in an undefined colour.

Qué lo hace diferente

This air purifier focuses on transport, as it is not stationary in the patients' homes, but is taken along by the outpatient carers. This means that one product can be used by several patients, with the carers being responsible for operating it. Transporting the product poses a number of challenges: it must be small, light, robust and comfortable to carry. Additionally, the spread of germs must be considered, which is why AYO is hung up rather than placed on a surface. In combination with air purification, essential oils can be diffused in the room. The sense of smell is strongly linkes to emotions and can therefore have a strong influence on us. In addition to this emotional effect, essential oils also have a pharmacological effect due to their chemical composition. For these two reasons, aromatherapy is already widely used in care. AYO makes this easy to use thanks to the fragrance sticks, stored on the side of the device, which can be used as required.

Planes para el futuro

As a designer, I want to create meaningful products. AYO addresses two issues that are relevant for the future. The nursing profession needs to be made more attractive in order to counteract the shortage of nursing staff and to be able to deal with demographic ageing. To ensure that AYO is realisable, I would like to receive feedback from engineers. I have compiled and visualised the packaging and technology through research and in consultation with professors. However, I still have a few questions regarding the final performance, financial feasibility and production. Some small details regarding handling also need to be finalised.

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