Project
Project
Haven
Haven
Because there is no caregiver in this world that can do this job alone. At some point, it becomes impossible. Haven isn’t here to replace caretaking, but rather here to make caring possible.
Because there is no caregiver in this world that can do this job alone; Haven isn’t here to replace caretaking, but rather here to make caring possible.
Team
Team
Tyler Kim
Industrial Designer
Tyler Kim
Industrial Designer
Client
Client
For Terrance, Mom, & Dad
For Terrance, Mom, & Dad
Responsibility
Responsibility
Industrial Design
Visualization
CMF
Creative Direction
User-Research
Industrial Design
Visualization
CMF
Creative Direction
User-Research
Context | Scroll to View [↓]
BRIEF
Robotics for Caretaking Assistance
For years, it's always been my mission to build something that can completely change the quality of life for my parents and my little brother. For this project, I wanted to focus on taking the innovation of autonomous robotics and utilizing it in a more intentional and purposeful way, targeted towards preventing caregivers from experiencing caregiver burnout.
+ Provides an Ease of Mind
+ Blends Seamlessly
+ Serves as a Helping Hand/Gentle Guide
My goal with this project is to inspire those with the ability to shape the future of robotics to rethink their priorities as to who they need to be designing for. Haven is just one example of how robotics can completely change our family's lives. Please feel free to reach out anytime if you're interesting in knowing more!
OPPORTUNITY
Incredible Innovation with the Wrong Focus
Humanoid robots represent extraordinary innovation, but the purpose and focus these robots represent are misaligned. Beyond industrial and house-chore automations, caregiving should become one of the most prioritzed applications for autonomous robotics.
WHAT I FOUND
24/7 Caretaking is Impossible
For millions of families, full-time caregiving means sacrificing their time, energy, finances, and often their own well-being.
+ Over 150 - 300 million are unable to meet their basic needs independently
+ Over 40% of family caregivers provide care alone, yet the vast majority report needing more assistance
MY MISSION
Introduce a system that is inviting, supportive, and provides reassurance to caretakers and their loved ones.
Process
Context
Why is Suctioning so Important for Terrance?
Terrance is quadriplegic and unable to excrete excess mucus himself. Because of his condition, he is primarily in a position where he is lying down on his back. All of that mucus, builds up and eventually ends up blocking his airways. As his caretaker, we need a suction machine (aspirator) in order to collect that excess mucus to allow Terrance to breathe comfortably again.
Whenever Terrance coughs because of mucus buildup, someone needs to be there to suction it out. If no one is there to help, the mucus can block his airway and cause him to choke on his own bodily fluids.
Through Michelle's Eyes
The Task Seems Simple, However...
Although the act of suctioning may seem simple, imagine having to repeat it every 5–10 minutes throughout the night, leaving you with virtually no opportunity to sleep.
And when exhaustion finally takes over and you do fall asleep, there is always the fear that you may not be there when your loved one needs you most.
Envrionment
Adapting to Terrance's Space
Terrance's space is located within the living room in our home. We found the location of the living room to be the most optimal for accessibility reasons.
Because of Terrance's needs, his space includes all of his medical devices, medical toiletries, and etc.
One of the challenges was finding a way for Haven to live within this environment, in a way that enhances not just the caretaking experience, but also the aesthetics of the space as well.
Initial Ideation (Mounting Possibilities)
Architecture Exploration
Architecture Refinement
Project
Haven
Because there is no caregiver in this world that can do this job alone; Haven isn’t here to replace caretaking, but rather here to make caring possible.
Team
Tyler Kim
Industrial Designer
Client
For Terrance, Mom, & Dad
Responsibility
Industrial Design
Visualization
CMF
Creative Direction
User-Research
Context | Scroll to View [↓]
BRIEF
Robotics for Caretaking Assistance
For years, it's always been my mission to build something that can completely change the quality of life for my parents and my little brother. For this project, I wanted to focus on taking the innovation of autonomous robotics and utilizing it in a more intentional and purposeful way, targeted towards preventing caregivers from experiencing caregiver burnout.
+ Provides an Ease of Mind
+ Blends Seamlessly
+ Serves as a Helping Hand/Gentle Guide
My goal with this project is to inspire those with the ability to shape the future of robotics to rethink their priorities as to who they need to be designing for. Haven is just one example of how robotics can completely change our family's lives. Please feel free to reach out anytime if you're interesting in knowing more!
OPPORTUNITY
Incredible Innovation with the Wrong Focus
Humanoid robots represent extraordinary innovation, but the purpose and focus these robots represent are misaligned. Beyond industrial and house-chore automations, caregiving should become one of the most prioritzed applications for autonomous robotics.
WHAT I FOUND
24/7 Caretaking is Impossible
For millions of families, full-time caregiving means sacrificing their time, energy, finances, and often their own well-being.
+ Over 150 - 300 million are unable to meet their basic needs independently
+ Over 40% of family caregivers provide care alone, yet the vast majority report needing more assistance
MY MISSION
Introduce a system that is inviting, supportive, and provides reassurance to caretakers and their loved ones.
Process
Context
Why is Suctioning so Important for Terrance?
Terrance is quadriplegic and unable to excrete excess mucus himself. Because of his condition, he is primarily in a position where he is lying down on his back. All of that mucus, builds up and eventually ends up blocking his airways. As his caretaker, we need a suction machine (aspirator) in order to collect that excess mucus to allow Terrance to breathe comfortably again.
Whenever Terrance coughs because of mucus buildup, someone needs to be there to suction it out. If no one is there to help, the mucus can block his airway and cause him to choke on his own bodily fluids.
Through Michelle's Eyes
The Task Seems Simple, However...
Although the act of suctioning may seem simple, imagine having to repeat it every 5–10 minutes throughout the night, leaving you with virtually no opportunity to sleep.
And when exhaustion finally takes over and you do fall asleep, there is always the fear that you may not be there when your loved one needs you most.
Envrionment
Adapting to Terrance's Space
Terrance's space is located within the living room in our home. We found the location of the living room to be the most optimal for accessibility reasons.
Because of Terrance's needs, his space includes all of his medical devices, medical toiletries, and etc.
One of the challenges was finding a way for Haven to live within this environment, in a way that enhances not just the caretaking experience, but also the aesthetics of the space as well.
Initial Ideation (Mounting Possibilities)
Architecture Exploration
Architecture Refinement