DBA Inclusive Design Challenge 2007
Description
Lugga is a simple carrying device shaped like a squared hook with an optional strap that helps anyone who needs an extra pair of hands to cope with the things they have to carry.
Background
Carrying one's shopping is a challenge for anyone not travelling by car. Multiple purchases mean a clutch of different bags, a task made more complicated when a child is holding one hand or you are frail and need a stick to balance. For the commuter who shops after work, balancing bags and briefcase in a crowded bus or tube is tricky when there is with no possibility of resting them on the floor. Some shoppers have created their own 'Heath Robinson' versions. Lengths of hosepipe with a slit down the middle are a common strategy to alleviate the painful effects of circulation being cut off by heavy bags. Such measures may make one bag slightly more comfortable but do not address the underlying issues of multiple bags, weight distribution and keeping your hands free.
How does it work?
Lugga redistributes loads away from the hands and wrists them making them easier and more comfortable to carry. It allows multiple bags to be carried put down and conveniently picked up again.
The soft grip handle is comfortable and easy to grip for longer periods without cutting off circulation. The deep mouth of the hook guides multiple bags into position but prevents them from falling off if Lugga is dropped or placed on the floor. The bags naturally collect directly below the centre of the hand providing the best position for weight distribution.
A padded adjustable shoulder strap allows weight to be redistributed through the shoulder and spine, keeping the hands free. For storage the whole system rolls up and slips into a pocket, handbag or case.
Lugga's main hook would cast with the handle made from recyclable plastic. The design team did not want to exclude people on price but wished to use high quality materials to make it a one-time purchase. Depending on the retail environment, Lugga can be a single shot-injection moulding, a series of mouldings or a combination of materials such as a casting and a moulding or even a machined wooden handle.
User input
The initial user input was consumers with dexterity and mobility problems. A prototype was made and then evaluated by a wide range of shoppers in Southampton High Street.
Judges' comments
The team from Rodd identified a problem that everyone can relate to, picked up on our natural habits and behaviour but did not go for the easy option of creating a complex 'bells-and-whistles' product. The judges applauded the simplicity of their solution, its obvious market-readiness and the fantastic presentation that told the story.
