KINETICO
Question: How might we leverage the popularity of the sports industry to promote a positive environmental change?
Solution: Kinetico is an innovative design concept that takes a series of piezoelectric tiles that absorb kinetic energy and transforms that energy into electricity.
Mind Map and Research Probe
I chose to design a research probe to test my hypotheses and understand what others believe to be true about the sports industry. Based on my primary research, I asked a variety of questions about the sports industry to 12 different people, ages 21-54.
Due to participants’ responses, the key sports to target are basketball, football, and baseball. Users are motivated by emotion, competition, and others, which will have to play into design.
Something the sports industry does well and that was repeated by many participants, is their marketing and advertising. As far as the athletes’ responsibility, they have the potential to influence others by being spokespeople or leading by example.
Sustainability and Waste in The Sports Industry
At the end of my primary research phase, I decided to shift my focus to understanding the users. My research developed into a balance of designing something positive for the environment, noninvasive to the user, and focus on energy consumption. As a result, Kinetico was invented.
Personas
Sam is a 28-year-old from Cleveland, Ohio. He is a season ticket holder with the Cleveland Browns. Sam’s game experiences differ depending on who he’s with.
Mike is a 58-year-old from Miami, Florida, and he is a huge Miami Dolphins fan. Mike played football throughout his youth and in college. He also coaches his young grandson’s team. He loves going to the games because of the environment, and he likes being among the crowd!
Ally is a 22-year-old from Foxborough, Massachusetts, and is absolutely obsessed with the New England Patriots. In college, Ally volunteered as a recruiter for the football team, though her heart is loyal to her favorite sport, ice hockey. She’s currently working on becoming a sports lawyer.
Sam’s Game Experience
Mike’s Game Experience
Ally’s Game Experience
What if there is a way we can charge the stadium by walking? What if we turn kinetic energy into electricity?
Design Ideas
Testing people’s knowledge
I chose to design a research probe and co-design to prove my hypotheses and understand what others believe to be true about energy.
Interview Takeaways
Interviews and research showed the areas with the highest foot traffic within the stadium is where the piezoelectric tiles can be integrated.
Tile ideations could take on one of these designs.
Kinetico
Kinetico is a series of piezoelectric tiles that absorb kinetic energy and transforms that energy into electricity.
Fans cheering and jumping while Kinetico is in action under their feet.
Kinetico tiles lining the stadium halls.
Man standing at the concessions generating energy.
