Drone backpack
Thesis project bachelor Product Design: a carrying solution for Imaging prosumers drones
Requested by Torvol, I developed a concept for a carrying solution for Imaging prosumers drones as my thesis project. Torvol company that profiles itself by developing functional and aesthetic accessories for drone pilots. The idea was to create a backpack as a dynamic system for the fast evolving drone market.
Client: Torvol
Agency: Bachelor Product Design
My role: Research, Concept development, material testen, prototyping
Efficiency and maneuverability are very important for the target group, which makes a backpack the best possible way to transport the necessary equipment. Protection of the valuable equipment is crucial. For overview, I classified the equipment into primary, secondary and tertiary supplies [see illustration above]. The drone technology is developing very quickly and the scenario of change undoubtedly has consequences for the design. I concluded that the backpack should be designed in such a way that it can anticipate varied future scenarios and adapt to changing product performance criteria. The analysis resulted in four keywords for guidance in the design process: Modularity, protection, efficiency and adaptability.
Ideation
In order for the design to succeed, I approached the backpack as a system consisting of functional modules.
The concept I chose to further develop consists of two parts: The bag and the shell, where the drone is clamped between. The shell is formed by an EVA foam, in which a hinge pattern is cut so that the material is sturdy and flexible at the same time. Due to this structure, the shell is able to take multiple forms and is therefore not dependent on one specific drone model.
prototyping
From test models and desk research I had found that the honeycomb pattern ‘Cross’ is most suitable for application. The bending cut of this pattern allows flexibility in all directions and provides a smooth curve when bending the shell.
Concept
The chosen concept experienced another design step to meet the established criteria. The various sub-problems were then solved. I reasoned that an extra layer is needed to properly protect the arms of the DJI Inspire. The design, therefore, consists of three functional modules: backpack, shell and wrap.
Shell construction
Wrap construction
