Ergo Backpack
Class Project (Group of 6)
Class: Industrial Design and Human Factors (IEOR 170, UC Berkeley)
Timeline: February 2021 - May 2021
Skills used: User research, industrial design, human-factors engineering, free-form CAD modeling (Fusion 360), rendering (Fusion 360),
We designed an ergonomic backpack for school children based on principles in physical and cognitive human factors engineering. Proceeding through the various steps of the human-centered design process, the result is a backpack design that intentionally distributes weight along it to optimize posture, chest and hip straps to prevent awkward posture, and a buckle system that prevents forgetting to close the backpack.
You can find our full project report here.
Process
Research
Our team initially chose this topic as our project inspired by, in addition to our own personal experiences with heavy backpacks, how school children in developing countries tend to have to carry heavy, oversized backpacks over long distances on foot and how that interferes with their growth. We used risk assessment tools such as the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) to quantify the risk awkward posture and loading had on children’s bodies, which indicated that intervention was necessary for such a task. The product we were to design had to reduce these deviations in posture, which include trunk flexion, neck flexion and arm flexion.
Awkward posture due to overweight backpacks are a global issue
Incorrect backpack use leads to awkward posture in several parts of the body, as quantified above in the neck, trunk, and arm
In addition to physical risk factors, we also considered cognitive factors that had to be addressed for school children to want to use our backpacks as well as operate them error-free. From several interviews with school children within our families between the ages of 9 and 14, we discovered that their biggest concern was the strength of the backpack and its straps, followed by storage space, aesthetics, and versatility. In addition, we discovered that most school children in developed countries do not need to walk as much with their backpacks (only between modes of transportation or classrooms), so we need to cater to an audience in developing countries.
Synthesis
Looking up what is already available in the market, we came up with a criteria for what key features our final design should include:
A tight fit to the back.
Chest and hip straps to control the weight distribution varies depending on where the shoulder straps begin from the backpack.
Heavy weights closest to the body instead of the bottom of the bag to lower the chances of dragging forces and further slouching incentives
One area for books and notebooks, and another external pouch for stationery and snacks.
Some sketches brainstormed by our team members to satisfy our design criteria
We brainstormed ideas as a team and converged on one team member’s idea that featured a designated, expandable slot for heavy objects that kept the weight close to the body. Its main compartment is accessible via a buckle that can easily secure itself when the main flap is closed via a magnetic system that prevents the user from forgetting to securely close their backpack – the buckle does it for them automatically. It also contains chest and hip straps to bring the backpack closer to the body, preventing slouching.
Sketches of the final design idea our team members agreed upon
A front pocket was added after realizing that our user interviews indicated that multiple pouches of different sizes is an important factor when choosing a backpack to buy. We added a smaller pouch at the front of the backpack aimed to afford only carrying lighter objects as this compartment is further away from the back.
In addition, we also created a visual instruction manual showing proper backpack usage with the straps, how to correctly use the expandable compartment, and how the buckles are operated.
Visual instruction manual for proper backpack operation to be included in packaging
3 Key Contributions to the Group
1. Initiated user research interviews with 4 school children given pandemic constraints to gather pain points and touch points with regards to backpack use to inform concept design requirements
2. Performed physical human factors engineering risk assessments, such as the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA), to analyze the awkward posture of school children carrying backpacks weighing >10% of body weight
3. Sculpted and rendered 3D CAD model of final design using Fusion 360
Outcomes
We ended up with a backpack design with the following main features:
Large compartment for heavy items positioned closest to the back, with visual indicator to signal that heavy objects such as laptops or books should be placed there
Flap opening secured with a magnetic slide buckle to combat a possible lapse of forgetting to close the backpack
Neutral plain design to allow customizability with pins and patches
Small front pocket for lighter objects like calculators or stationery
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we were unable to prototype this bag and test it out ourselves and eventually with school children. The final deliverable was the series of high-fidelity renders that show what the product would look like if manufactured.
Final renders of the Ergo Backpack
Photo credits:
https://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/02/09/2019/Wrong-sitting-posture-and-heavy-school-bags-injurious-to-health
https://videohive.net/item/teenage-boy-walking-with-backpack/22995801