W-4

Progress Presentation 1 can be found here.

First round of user tests!

The tests can be broken up into three categories: anybody, those who experience panic attacks, and professionals.

Anybody

This group included classmates, professors, and family. Here’s how they responded to my questions:

• Are the motors too strong?

  • No, they feel like they’re at a good strength and might not be effective if they were any weaker.

• Is it uncomfortable, especially with a motor tucked under the wristband?

  • No, it’s fairly comfortable.

• Is it a good scale?

  • Yes, the size seems great.

Those Who Experience Panic Attacks

I had two people who have experienced panic attacks who were up to testing the project. Both had very similar positive opinions about it. I asked specifically them the following in addition the previous questions:

• Does it feel like it would be effective if you were in distress?

  • Yes

• Would it be easier to activate with a button or a switch?

  • One person said a button because a person’s hands might be shaky if they’re having a panic attack and so small tactile things like a switch might be difficult to use.

  • The other wasn’t sure, especially when I brought up concerns about accidental button pushes turning it on. She felt there were pros and cons to both options.

Professional

I am working with a therapist periodically to make sure that the project stays on track conceptually. She is in California and unable to test the physical thing at the moment, however, the PCB shield has LEDs to indicate when the motors are receiving power, which then enables you to see the vibration pattern (see the video below).

The project is partially based off of a device called a TheraTapper which is used in EMDR therapy. It has two paddles that the patient holds in each hand and they will vibrate at intervals and intensities that are controlled by the therapist. She was able to compare the pattern that she could see in this project to the patterns that she achieves with the TheraTapper. Her opinion was that it looked fantastic and definitely on the right track.

I will have the opportunity to send the project to her in a week to actually test.

So, now knowing that people think it feels effective, looks like a good size, and doesn’t feel uncomfortable, I can proceed with designing a case.

Goals accomplished from last week:

• First round of user testing

• Make a slimmer version of the main assembly

• Figure out where to put the battery (sort of, waiting for a new battery to arrive before making a final decision)

Next week:

• Design the CAD model for a case.

• Begin 3D printing