Concave mirror in a dentist chair is an example
of:
Critical function prototype
Product failure prototype
Critical experience prototype
Darkhorse prototype
Answers
Deliverables
Design, build, test and share a critical component, subsystem or function that makes a difference.
Create an opportunity for improvement that could be a key to enhanced product performance. This
conceptual prototype is not the product itself but points a possible way. Present and demonstrate your
CFP during the meeting with your faculty mentors, due the week of October 10. Be prepared to say why
it is critical and give the rationale for your choice. Say what you've learned from the prototype. The
learning often emphasizes technology, but it can also address key elements of the design process.
Rationale
The Exploration Review (Benchmarking and Needfinding) gave you a design knowledge foundation. Now
it is time to try a design cycle that projects into the future of what could be.
The goal of prototyping is to challenge certain assumptions you have about your design by building
certain aspects of the product and testing it on users, physics, and/or yourself. A prototype ultimately
should answer questions that you have about your design (and at the same time raise/answer questions
that you never even thought about). A critical function prototype is not a mockup, which communicates
the idea to other people (scale models are in this category unless you plan to take it to a wind tunnel).
Before you start building, think to yourself "what is the question I'm trying to answer with this
prototype?"
Review Format
This is a "benchtop review." You will have approximately 20 minutes (+5 minutes Q&A) to make your
case. The focus is on the hardware and/or results. A simple two-sided handout for attendees is useful to
summarize the main points. Printouts of plots of data are also appropriate, but a fancy presentation
with PowerPoint slides is NOT appropriate. The handouts should complement your briefing and not
substitute it.