RESEARCH

Interview Insight

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Firefighters use drones equipped with thermal imaging to detect burning roots after a fire, pinpointing exact locations for crews to target. However, drones aren’t used for tracking active crews in the field, and their use is limited to situations where weather makes aerial support difficult.

Market Exploration

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Current thermal cameras, like the FLUKE Ti480 PRO and Seek Thermal, are durable but too bulky to carry around easily in the field. While the Seek Thermal is used in municipal applications, its size and weight make it impractical for wildland firefighting, where portability and quick access are critical. 

DEFINE

Problem

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Forest firefighting crews struggle with situational awareness and coordination, putting safety and efficiency at risk.

Opportunity

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There’s a growing need for portable technology that enhances real-time communication, improves safety, and supports decision-making in high-risk environments.

Our Goal

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Create a device that empowers firefighting crews with real-time data, improving coordination, situational awareness, and overall safety.

EXPLORE PT. 1

R1 Rough Sketches

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In the initial round of idea generation, we sketched various features like a compact design with an integrated screen, a handle for bulky gloves, and a flip mechanism. These elements were selected to explore further in the next round.

R2 Refined Sketches

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Through exploring the concepts from the last round, we ended up with a fully handheld design and AR goggles, we found they were either impractical or too obtrusive. Research led us to explore a wearable concept as the most effective, non-intrusive solution, though it required further refinement.

R3 Rough CAD

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We then explored a detachable camera for flexibility but needed to refine its size and integration. A larger screen with improved dials enhanced usability but felt too fragile. A rugged flip-up design with a sturdier hinge and buttons improved durability, though the screen-to-body ratio still needed adjustment.

EXPLORE PT. 2

User Testing Insight

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We found helmet placement awkward; wrist and chest placements were more comfortable. The separate camera and display distracted from tool use. Testing different placements revealed the best angle, and simulating firefighting tasks showed the wearable added stimulation but needed better integration for ease of use.

R4 Intermediate CAD

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In this round, we refined the final design by exploring several concepts. The wrist-attached device provided a comfortable handle, but the detachable camera and display were fragile and hard to reattach. The two-sided design clarified the form but felt restrictive. These insights helped identify key features for the final design.

R5 Rough Prototyping

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We created a rough prototype of our final concept, experimenting with different pivot point locations for the handle. We tested it with gloves to ensure the motions worked with existing PPE, and adjusted hand placement to prevent accidental button presses.

REFINE

The Thermal Imaging Wildfire Gadget

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We refined the handle, hinge, body, and base plate of the Fluke Twig to be both rugged and ergonomic, with a focus on durability and ease of use. The quick-release attachment method for the base plate was also incorporated for high-pressure situations.

We also designed an intuitive UI for accessing drone data and receiving objectives from the command center, enhancing communication and decision-making during operations.

To improve portability, we developed a durable travel case for the Fluke Twig. Additionally, a carabiner tracker was created to help the command center monitor fire crew locations in real-time, ensuring better coordination and safety.