A multifunctional IoT lamp with a microcomputer and a projector embedded, unobtrusively providing information at the contemporary speed.
Prompt: Based on research of a chosen location, design a product
to improve education for urban youth.
*Team work: Jason (Jiaju) Ma, Nicholas Glaser, Ha Dao
Artifact Analysis: Providence Athenaeum Library
Questionnaire
Behavioral Mapping
* We also had the chance to interview a library staff to gain insights on the operating side.
Our group decided on making a desk lamp with an embedded projector as a response to the demand for more light and easier access to digital contents in the library.
Sketches
Foam Model
CAD Mock Up
In the model making process, a Raspberry Pi computer, an affordable mini projector and an individual lighting component were used. These pieces were assembled with a fitted 3D-printed base and a laser cut shade. Wires run through the stem and out from the lamp’s base to an outlet. In an ideal scenario, the components would fit a Banker’s lamp shade.
Ventilation and speaker
Projection can be used to alarm and notify, or as a monitor for Internet access.
The ideal design: the product seamlessly blends in with a non-digitized historical environment.
Our group brought the working model to the library and got feedback from a library staff. The project would be more complete if we could carry out more user testing for the library visitors. The bulkiness of the lamp was a concern, working against people’s wants: more space. While not ideal, the parts were as small as possible given a limited budget.
Back to top
