Feeling of the options

option 1

option 2

option3 

This images are "work in process", I am developing 3 different options taking direction "B" already chosen, more sketches are coming soon and also the 3 complete options to go. In this stage I do not want to be very deep into shapes the main intention is to give an idea of volume and functional concepts.

Possible Localization

Possible localization of the problem 

This is how I picture the localization of this product.

Resume

Where my problem is? In swedish mines the safety level is very high and the prevention is very well refinement so accidents are not the most usual thing, but always there is a risk to occur one. The most common ones are: falling/sliding rocks or materials and also fire is a latent risk every day because of the explosives handling therefore I found a lack of handy first response rescue equipment and a lack of communication (what's the status) between miner groups when they are working down in the mine.

What I want to do? I want to do a mid-size product which bring handy first response rescue and control equipment into the accident area all this assisted by a network/tagging system which is communicated with different group of miners and other mobile rescue stations.

What are the task? This mobile/portable handy first response rescue station(s) is(are) already inside of the mine in stand by to facilitate as soon as possible the rescue maneuvers in any emergency situation. 

How does it works? based on a tagging system the portable rescue station is receiving continuously information from the current status of each member in a group of miners, when one of them have an emergency (they can activate the alarm button by themselves or the device they are wearing registers a lack of movement and activates by itself) the handy first response rescue equipment starts to go to the emergency area in a autonomous way meanwhile is sending a signal to the closest co-workers to attend the emergency and help out or to prevent them and evacuate the are, once both of them (the machine and co-workers) are in the area they can attend the emergency situation in a short period of time.

What the advantages are? the tagging system is compiling information about the miner's situation and it's the hob between the rescue crew and the victim; The handy first response rescue equipment is bringing the necessary tools to facilitates the rescue or just control different emergency situations; Promotes team's work organization.  

What the emergency situations are? they can be the most common accidents inside of the mine as: falling/sliding rocks or material, fire attempt even a hard attack of one of the miners.

Where my opportunity is? creating a useful product which can be convenient for big companies and reachable and usable for small ones too.

How big I picture it? a mid-size product, around Atlas Copco Hardhat™ (2mx1.5mx1.40m approximately). 

What I do not want to end up with? a completely autonomous robot.

My Goals:

goal -facilitate rescue maneuvers.
goal -control emergency situations (accessories / tools).
goal -because of it’s ideal size it can be stored and easily used inside of the mine.
goal -portable, designed to be as part of the daily equipment.

My Wishes:

wish -can be used in different accident types.
wish -can be operated by anyone inside of the mine (easy use) or by itself (semi-autonomous).
wish -it’s available all time.
wish -can be used in different mines.

Example of the scenario

scenario 1, ex. of injured miner

this scenario shows an example of how this MRS can help during the rescue maneuver.

What do I need as a basics?

basic needs

basic needs for this project.

How does it works..!

covering the task

A simple explanation of how I think this product would works.


what are the advantages?
-tag a group of miners during their shifts.
-have a network between all the MRS (mobile rescue station).
-to warn the closest co-workers when something happened to any team member.
-bringing all the rescue equipment to the accident area ASAP.
-get into the area in an autonomous way.
-bring injured people into a safety area in an autonomous way.
-control the internal traffic in its way out.

How I picture it (an option)

how this product it could be!

This is what I have on mind and how it can works, it is not completely defined but it is close to what I want to reach and concordes with my goals it is on the way...!

2 ways to be in direction "B"

2 ways to go

These are my 2 alternatives for direction "B" one is more like a vehicle and the other is like a mid-size product.

Goals for direction "B"

what I wanna reach

Here's just my first approach to define my goals for this project.

How big would be?

This is more less how big I picture this rescue product inside of the mine (2x3x2m). This size can change depending the necessities.

Taking direction B

what would be my opportunity in direction "B"

I think direction “B” would be the way to go; I picture a mid-size product or small and versatile vehicle which might helps rescue maneuvers to bring people outside of the mine in case of accident and control the beginning of the emergency situations. This design should be thought for teams of 4 to 15 miners and would be operated by the closest person to the accident. 

Direction A,B,C

Briefly in 3 different directions I made a shortly description of what's the problem and what would be a opportunity area to solve each one. 

Direction A

Falling / Rolling / Sliding Rock Material:
goal -design a product which helps the "rescue crew" to get into the accident area. 
goal -facilitate rescue maneuvers.
goal -can be stored inside of the mine.
wish -can be used in different accident types.
wish -can be operated by anyone inside of the mine. (easy use)
wish -it's available all time.
wish -can be used in different mines of the world.

Direction B 

Bringing people outside:

goal -design a product which transports injured people ASAP to the mine's exterior.

goal -facilitate rescue maneuvers.

goal -control emergency situations (accessories / tools).

goal -because of it's ideal size it can be stored and easily used inside of the mine.

goal -portable, designed to be as part of the daily equipment.

wish -can be used in different accident types.

wish -can be operated by anyone inside of the mine. (easy use)

wish -it's available all time.

wish -can be used in different mines of the world.

Direction C

Controlling fire:

goal -design a product which helps the "rescue crew" to combat fire inside of the mine. 

goal -facilitate rescue maneuvers.

goal -can be stored inside of the mine.

wish -can be operated by anyone inside of the mine. (easy use)

wish -it's available all time.

wish -can be used in different mines of the world.

My desk these days

my desk @ Umeå during my research...

That's how my desk looks these days during my research...!

Leaking information

Leaking problems

Here I already defined relevant accidents: Fire and Falling / Sliding rocks and material, now it is important to define who is going to use it: the rescuer [1] or the victim  [2].  then the situation(s) I would be able to solve with this product. this is my goal for now! analyze where the major problem is? where my opportunities are? when can I use this product?  

 [1] the rescuer can use / operate this product to make facilitate the rescue job by consequence save lives.

 [2] the victim can use / operate this product to save his / her life. 

Finding directions for this project

finding direction

I have been finding the direction(s) I would like to take for this project, here I show what type of options I have and I crossed the areas which I do not consider relevant to end up with. I think the opportunity is to be between a big machine and small wearable product, something in between these 2 ("M" medium size) would be a good opportunity, then I need to find out in what situations is important to be or if I can blend it.