OptiMinder

OptiMinder is the result of a foresight research proposal for a holistic well-being product, service, and interactive experience. The product incorporates nano-sensors to monitor emotions and body functions, enabling analysis and identification of brain activities. Additionally, the glasses feature image recognition sensors that provide AR vision-based suggestions tailored to the user's current activity and preferences.

Project details

Client

Master's of Design - Project

Project

OptiMinder

Year

2019

Services

Interaction Design Service Design Foresight

Credits

Adrian Stapfer - Research & Foresight
Bon Pang - Visual Communication
Joanne Bae - Graphic Design
Janice Yeung - Multimedia

Category

Augmented Reality and Product Design

My Role

Industrial Design, Research, Foresight

Problem Statement

Many individuals in China have fast-paced lives, which can lead to stress, distraction, and ongoing dissatisfaction. Technology plays a significant role in this behaviour, potentially contributing to plausible social and mental issues in the future.

Key personal challenge(s)/learning(s)

During my master's studies, I acquired numerous new skills and frameworks that I had not previously implemented. Applying Foresight to product development necessitates extensive research and clear visualisation of mega trends to project different "futures". This project was developed for a real client in Hong Kong, which added extra pressure to the team. Effective delegation of tasks was crucial to balance divergence and convergence thinking, ultimately leading to a successful outcome.

Solution and Impact

A platform and product family with real-time customisable value tracking analytics that allows users to identify ways of improving their mental wealth.

By 2030, China is expected to become the world's most robust economy and technology developer, according to the World Bank and the State Council of the People's Republic of China (2013). To achieve a positive transformation, mindfulness will play a crucial role. Various products and services will offer interactions to foster Mental Wealth.

Background - Why now?

The influence of design on the future is substantial, and projecting towards prosperous horizons is vital. Various factors shape human history, with technology being a key driver of change, continually pushing our present boundaries and limits. Greater China is the primary target market for OptiMinder. With approximately 20% of the global population and a rapidly growing economy, China is a leader in technological innovation and proposals.

Research

We conducted extensive secondary research to comprehend how various mega trends and S.E.T. (Social, Economical, Technological) factors will impact the lives of millions of people in the future. Our innovation discovery process enabled us to create 2 proto personas, a technology framework, value generation diagrams, and different scenarios on a Future's Cone.

Key Insights to refine the POG (Product Opportunity Gap)

SOCIAL - Cities will be under monitoring by the government, and behaviour might be reshaped (Social Credit System).
TECHNOLOGICAL - Over 75 billion devices will be connected to the internet with nanotech sensors (IoT, IoE, wearables).
ECONOMICAL - Wealth value equals aspirations which lead to GNH (Gross National Happiness).

Key Learnings & Next Steps

Several business opportunities can be developed with science, medical services, insurance companies, and various R&D departments. OptiMinder is a customer-driven product, aiming to provide future generations in China with a better lifestyle and help them achieve mental wealth; technology can serve as an enabler for this purpose.

This project was developed for a Master's in Design Strategies subject at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. It was presented as a prospective technology proposal for ASTRI (Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute) in Hong Kong, China.