Assitive Technology Tool Redesign: hairdryer
By Alice Planas February 1st, 2006
Nana Halinen, Alice Tseng-Planas
User Scenario:
-Open drawer reach out and pick up drier with either hand
-With left hand hold to the nose of the drier and with right hand uncoil any wire wrapped around the stem of the dryer
-Hold in left hand and use right hand to plug into wall
-Grip dryer from stem in right hand and direct nozzle at hair.
-Use index and middle fingers to press various buttons on the stem including the on/off button, the high/low/medium switch, and the cool air switch.
-After turning the dryer on, direct airflow reaching hair by holding the dryer at various angles surrounding the head with nozzle turned towards hair.
-After hair is dry switch dryer off with index or middle finger.
-Hold dryer in left hand and unplug with right.
-Hold dryer in left hand and wrap coil around the stem of the dryer.
-Place back in drawer.
Identified problems and difficulties with the typical hair dryer
Vision Impaired:
-Dangerous areas such as exposed heating grills, exposed air intake areas, possible problems with the cord/plug.
-Difficult controls and buttons
Mobility Impaired:
-Coordination problems with holding hair dryer and brush
-Difficult controls and buttons
Existing Products on the market:
-Cordless hair dryer: no cord
-Wall mounted units: hands free, enclosed elements, nice easy dials/ buttons
-Bonnet dryers: hands free
-Dryer stands: hands free
-Diffusion and brush attachments: a readily available way to hide exposed grills
Issues that still need to be addressed:
-A hair dryer is not only for drying hair, but ideally for helping one style hair. Currently hair dryer stands give disabled users more freedom, however, does not provide aids for greater control.
-Wall units as well, still require coordination with use of a dryer and a brush.
-Different dryers and attachments create different hairstyle effects.
Ideas/ Useful features:
A better grip system for those with limited use of hands– a palmed dryer, instead of a grip handle, or a sort of handle you place hand into with large buttons
For those without use of hands, a modified system based on commercially available stands that have been adapted for better user control. A motorized stand which rotates via remote control for user directed control. Remotes can be adapted to blink activated or foot petals for those with use of legs.
Sensor activated devices can recognize head movements and proximity.
Adjustable length stands and the ability to be attached to wheelchairs
Some sort of a bonnet/cap attachment for controlling the airflow
A box or curve mounted to the wall that blows air on hair with an easy to use remote that fits hand – can be altered to height (i.e. for people with wheelchairs). Perhaps something that can move around the head and up and down through the control. Could attach onto i.e. wheelchair.
Generally Useful features:
-Timer on the drier
-Cordless if using handheld device
-Nozzle, brush attachment, defuser attachment of grill to prevent accidental burns from touch
-Easy buttons, dials, and better descriptive textures for blind people
-Grip friendly materials like rubber
-Ergonmic shapes, forms that encourage aid of gripping
-Flexible attachments or modifications that are compatible with wide range of commercially available dryers
Redesign Ideas:
-A hair style arm cuff attachment for the wall dryer
-A remote controllable style stand
Links:
A wall mounted dryer with auto turn on feature and safety features