Otto Inhaler
Making daily asthma management a breeze
Fictional project using alternative interactions and sound design to improve the user experience of asthma inhalers. Made together with Selvi Olgac and Birnur Sahin.
Disciplines
Sound design
Industrial design
UI & UX
Role
Designer
Key contributions
Creating the sound design on a Moog Synthesizer
Building and 3d-printing the design in CAD
Recognition
2023 World Design Capital, Exhibitor
2020 IxDA Award, Best Student Project
2020 IxDA Award, Finalist
2018 iF Design Talent Award, Best of the Best
2018 BraunPrize, Silver
How might we improve daily asthma management?
A complex daily routine
1. Measure
Users with serious asthma measure their lung capacity daily using a Peak Flow Meter.
2. Monitor
Users write down their Peak Flow Meter results in a diary. Their medicine dose is adjusted twice a year based on these measurements.
3. Medicate
Users take asthma medication using an inhaler. The type of medicine changes from patient to patient based on their needs.
Process
USER INTERVIEWS
Through user interviews we learned about different inhalers, what asthmatics believe are the biggest challenges in their daily routine and how asthma affects their emotional and physical well-being.
EXPERT INTERVIEW
To understand the challenges and wishes from an expert’s point of view, we visited a health care center. Together with a nurse we tested and discussed existing products and learned more about what makes them work or not.
JOURNEY MAPPING
To get a holistic picture of the user flow, a journey map was structured with the aim to understand each step in the medication process. The intention was to figure out a seamless transition between each step for the user.
IMMERSION
We did the “straw test” to see for ourselves how it might feel breathing with asthma.
IDEATION
The ideation process focused on redefining the product–user interaction.
SKETCHING
The sketch process focused on making the product portable, hygienic and iconic.
CAD
We built a mockup tech package with PCB, membranes, etc. to base our outer shell on.
SOUND DESIGN
We produced our own sounds with a Moog synthesizer to match the intended interactions and expression of the product. All sounds were designed to create a coherent sound family that would reinforce the identity of the product.
LIGHT DESIGN
Different versions of light feedback were animated to test semantics and how the lights would work together with the sounds.
DIGITAL PROTOTYPE
Sounds and lights were combined in a digital mockup to make the end user experience more tangible.
PHYSICAL PROTOTYPE
The physical design was 3D printed to verify ergonomics, aesthetics and usability. It was also used in a short movie explaining the concept.
USER TESTING
Through a Wizard of Oz test we tested and refined our light and sound design.
“It is difficult to know how long you must inhale and how long you need to hold your breath. You don’t know if you’re doing it right.”
— Interviewed asthmatic
Reshaping the experience
1. Facilitate the inhalation process
Over 70% of asthmatics use their inhaler incorrectly. Shaking the inhaler, timing the spray action with inhalation, and making sure the medicine stays in the lungs are all crucial, but with zero feedback it is often forgotten or done incorrectly.
2. Increase dose adjustment frequency
Medicine dose is adjusted twice a year at the doctor’s office. Over– or under–medication is common due to the infrequent adjustments, the fixed medicine dosage, and uncertainty if one inhaled the medicine correctly.
3. Improve product–user feedback
How much medicine do I need today? Did I inhale correctly? Is my condition improving?
These are important user requests that are currently not met.
Introducing
Simplifying monitoring, logging and medicating into a seamless experience.
SHAKE TO WAKE
Shake Otto to wake it up, which also prepares the asthma medication.
Reimagined process
EXHALE
Exhale through the mouthpiece to take a peak flow (lung capacity) measurement. Medicine dose is automatically adjusted based on your result.
INHALE
Inhale the dose. A light bar indicates when you have inhaled the whole dose. A sound will let you know when you’re done after holding your breath for the recommended 10 seconds.
LOG AND CHARGE
Measurement data is logged and sent to your digital journal when Otto is docked to charge.
MEDICINE DELIVERY
We removed the task of timing spray-release with inhalation by using a new type of medicine delivery. It is activated by inhalation instead of pressing a button.
MEMBRANES
The mouthpiece is used for both measuring lung capacity when exhaling, and taking asthma medication when inhaling. This is made possible by using two membranes in opposite directions.
REUSABLE, REPAIRABLE AND RECYCLABLE
Otto is sustainably designed with swappable parts and a simple assembly. The medicine canister can also be replaced when empty.
MEDICAL GRADE MATERIALS
Otto’s materials are hygienic, reliable and safe. The matte white plastic body is durable and easy to clean, while the mouthpiece in translucent medical silicone conveys cleanliness. The plastic cap protects the mouthpiece from dirt.
COLOR CODED
The protective cap and mouthpiece communicate what type of medication the inhaler contains.
No buttons. No screen. No app. Just breathe.
