Challenge:
Design a product or service involving a virtual or augmented reality technology that reimagines a social interaction or experience of your choosing
Solution:
My solution was the RASA pod. The RASA pod is an augmented reality (AR) hardware device that collects information from an existing captured video and transforms it into AR real-time projections that portray a sense of interactivity with the user. The RASA pod aims to help not only to recall memories but project them in real-time by enhancing the cognition of users. It would be a new way to relive experiences.
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Research and problem identification
The project began with understanding memories and the different parts of the brain which control them. Eventually, two major problems were identified.
How to create richer episodic memories?
How to improve the retrieval and storage of memories?
User experience map
Ideation
The design of the pod is heavily inspired by the dynamics of a cracked egg. It takes an oval like shape which poses as one form emerging out the other. Originally, several forms were experimented with until the final sketch was selected.
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Prototype
The prototype was created using a stacked foamboard (extruded polystyrene) cut out at different diameters. This was then filed with rough and fine sandpaper. The pod is roughly 110mm (height) with the widest point at 90mm. It was created to have a perspective to what the pod might look like after manufacturing. A stick was placed in the middle as a core before it was broken off after pieces of the board were glued together. The lights, volume buttons and strap were then added. From this, it was discovered that the shape of the projecting outlet has to push inwards as it would affect the type of projection.
