Night-ØwL

A peacemaker for the new era, providing reassurance about the environmental health of confined spaces

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, people have become more cautious about potential infections from viruses or other microorganisms. As a result, they have been keeping their doors closed and avoiding close contact with others, particularly in enclosed indoor spaces where droplet transmission is more likely to occur.

Night-ØwL is a device that helps to ensure the safety and cleanliness of a space by using air purification, UV-C lights, and autonomous technology to sanitize the area. Its light signals indicate whether the environment is safe, providing reassurance and reducing fears about potential infections in the surrounding area.

Have a look...

With a 3D model, you can explore the form from different angles and examine every design detail. You can also use your smartphone to visit the website and try the AR mode, which lets you place the model in real-world settings.

About this project

My role : Individual
Background Research / Design Ideation / Industrial design
Main tools involved
Alias / Fusion360 / Keyshot
Project duration
2 months

Project Achievements

2021 Home Appliance Design Award : Bronze
2021 Huacan Award : Second Prize
2021 Reddot Concept Award : Passed Prejudge
2021 TISDC : Shortlisted

Problem

COVID-19 fears hinder in-person connections in confined spaces.

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly hindered people's ability to have in-person contact and connections. The fear and anxiety of potentially being infected by the virus, particularly in confined spaces, has made these environments especially challenging to navigate in the post-pandemic era.

Research

COVID-19 transmission in enclosed spaces

COVID-19 spreads through liquid particles released from the mouth or nose when an infected person coughs, sneezes, speaks, sings, or breathes. It can easily spread in poorly ventilated settings where people spend more time, as aerosols can remain in the air or travel further than conversation distance.

Infection through surfaces

People can also become infected with COVID-19 by touching their eyes, nose, or mouth after coming into contact with surfaces or objects that have been contaminated with the virus.

Opportunity and goal

What about a robot that automatically cleans and provides reassurance of safety?

As we transition into a post-pandemic world, it is important to find ways to reconnect with one another while minimizing the risk of infection. To help with this, I have created a robot that can clean and indicate the safety of an environment. This robot aims to give people the confidence and comfort to interact with others in various settings.

Combined technology on the market

I have researched the technologies currently dominating the market, collecting relevant cases and data, in order to evaluate their appropriateness and significance in designing a product that can be effectively manufactured in the present era.

How will the robot work?

I have developed a plan that combines two technologies in order to automate the process of cleaning and sanitizing our environment as much as possible. The plan involves using an air purifier in the morning when people are present and UV lights at night to clean surfaces. This allows us to remove contaminants from the air and kill any remaining pathogens on surfaces to ensure that the environment is consistently safe and clean. era.

◼ Air purification - During this phase, The Night-ØwL provide reassurance about the cleanliness of the air in public spaces. It uses sensors and computer algorithms to scan the environment and purify the air as needed. This helps to ensure that the air is free from contaminants and safe for people to breathe.

◼ UV light sanitize - Once people have left the environment, the robot uses UV-C light to disinfect surfaces and the air, killing viruses and bacteria. Its mobility and lifting structures allow it to use the UV-C lights with high efficiency.

◼ Auto battery charge and more - After completing the cleaning and disinfection process, the robot returns to its charger dock to perform updates, maintenance, data analysis, and charging of its batteries.

Ideation

Through sketching and ideation, I have discovered that lifting the UV-C lights on the sides of the robot makes it easier to clean and more efficient. I have tested different designs and configurations of the robot and the UV-C lights in order to optimize the cleaning process and improve the effectiveness of the UV-C lights.

Iteration

High-performing, but charming

Night-ØwL stands out among traditional white appliances due to its unique blend of futuristic and charming design. Its performance is intense, yet it also has a strong connection with humans. Overall, this product exudes a futuristic and intense appearance while also being cute and endearing.

1:1 Model prototyping

I used SLA printing to create the Night-ØwL model and then polished the surfaces for a smooth finish. To give the model a futuristic appearance, I sprayed it with a glossy metallic grey color. In addition, I did some research and made my own light tubes to make the LEDs shine. Overall, I took great care to create a high-quality and visually appealing model.