User Test Drop!

Today I dropped off two prototypes with a family: a stroller/diaper bag and a one-handed adapter for an umbrella stroller. Here's how the umbrella adapter looked on the stroller:

I was also shown a cool roll-up diaper carrier. It was sewn for them by a friend. It fits several diapers, is compact and folds neatly. It's made to be thrown into a bag. 

I really like the grey lining and durable outer material, as well as the brown trim. It fit into my bag- maybe it will make a trip with it!

Stroller Bag Number Two

Here's a new version of my stroller and diaper bag.

For the second iteration, I thought of some important criteria.

1. The bag needs to be able to fit onto a variety of strollers — not just an umbrella stroller. 

2. There is also a need for flexibility- both for the user and for a variety of users. 

I added a clip system that not only is convertible from a tote to shoulder to messenger, but is adjustable and lets the user clip the bag onto a stroller that has a crossbar. 

3. The bag should be easily washed.

Whether or not the user will wash the bag often, it definitely should be an option. I used a lightweight material for this version, though a sturdier canvas that is also soft could provide support, comfort and washability.

A test run on a Phil and Ted's stroller.

The bag can be converted into a shoulder or messenger bag. It can also be handled like a tote.

4. The bag should be easy to use. 

Storage should be ample, and the items stored should be easy to find. I made the middle, 'easy to grab' compartment smaller. 

I'm planning on having Mindy, whose storage habits I observed, test the bag for me in the next few days.

One Handed Conversion Prototype

Umbrella strollers are great because they are lightweight and fold up easily. Because of the two handles, however, they can be difficult to steer. Above is a first test of a quick prototype of a telescoping device that connects to the handles.

Stroller hacks!

All of the parents we've interviewed and observed practice some degree of hacking - making modifications to their strollers to suit their needs. Here's a few examples.

Sunshade Bonnet Extender

Our friend Dieter uses office binder clips to make a sunshade for his daughter Eena. It was really sunny and hot this past weekend in Brooklyn. Since the bonnet on Dieter's Bugaboo stroller doesn't go down all the way to completely protect the kiddo from massive radiation, Dieter came up with this breezy fix...


Two double-kid hacks

Tess and Dale take their boys out all the time and they wanted to be able to carry both of them in the stroller but without the hassle of bringing their big Phil & Ted's tandem rig. So they use their Inglesina by tilting the seat all the way back and stack the boys front-to-back bobsled style.

The boys are getting bigger and neither of them likes to sit in the back seat of the Phil & Ted's stroller. Would you? So Tess usually stows her bag in the seat and one of the boys stands on top of it. The kid's happy and so it Tess' back.

Grocery cart car seat hack

Our subject Peter told me that his Britax car seat fits nicely in that crow's nest folding shelf in a typical grocery cart. So if he takes his Kolcraft to the store with Ingrid in the car seat he perches the car seat sideways on that shelf and hangs the collapsed Kolcraft frame on the front of the cart.

Restaurant car seat hack

Apparently this is a common one: the standard wooden high chairs in restaurants can be turned upside down and accomodate your car seat. Handy when you're on a road trip with the car seat.

Stroller/Diaper Bag: First Prototype

Here is my first attempt at a simple, collapsible diaper bag to fit on a stroller, based on my observations with Mindy. Here it's on the studio 'test' stroller.

It fits well on the stroller — I've oriented the straps so that when full, the bulk of the bag will be side to side, minimizing interference (the straps on Mindy's bag were the opposite). I quickly realize though that it will not fit on any other type of stroller.

The center compartment, constructed from an extra panel, may be too roomy- making it so that quick reach items may not be visible from above, like Mindy's bag.

Here are a few more details:

I'm happy with the overall size so far, and that it isn't an obvious diaper bag. Next step is to try to minimize the inner space, and make the straps more flexible. A more durable material then this scrap fabric is necessary, though a simple to clean cloth could be a necessity.

A Simple, Organized Bag

While out observing Mindy, I paid attention to her use of an umbrella stroller and her storage solutions. Rather than using a diaper bag (a type she has been unhappy with), Mindy uses various totes and canvas bags. Her current bag of choice is made of green canvas and has a simple dividing system.

A complaint of Mindy's is that diaper bags are too bulky. Also, the one she has is made of an unpleasant material. Could it be that, in addition to size, diaper bags have too many pockets and options?

Here is what Mindy took to the park and farmer's market on the day I observed her. We were gone for about three hours. A large bag was not needed. An additional canvas bag was taken for groceries.

The contents easily fit into the bag.

A perk of having a small bag made of a material that isn't too stiff is that it can be shoved into a larger bag for easy transport. All the baby stuff stays in the bag, no matter who is taking it.

The straps hang on the umbrella stroller handles, and can be used to store coats and in this case, a skateboard.

Design Inspiration: Photo Brainstorms

Mobility

Every New Yorker needs to get around, but how to do it?

Safety
Sturdy frames and glow-in-the-dark bodies, important features in your next stroller?

Lightweight Design
Lightweight designs are critical for strollers, especially when they need to be carried up and down subway stairs.

Collapsibility

Collapsibility is a must in the crowded city of New York. Check out those wheel designs!

Baby-Centric Design

Investigating the needs and desires of babies from a baby’s point of view is the objective of baby-centric design. Typically parents and caretakers determine the function and appearance of baby strollers based upon adult wants, requirements and ease. What about the baby? Baby strollers and their accessories are meant after all for infants. Let’s keep that in mind as we empathize with this babbling, disregarded population.

Design Opportunities: comfort, environmental stimuation, sibling rivalry

Design Opportunities: standing, snack access, tactile exploration

Rainy Days

Tess kindly demonstrates the difficulties of her Phil & Ted’s rain cover. She unpacks the rain shield which is normally stored underneath the seat, unfolds it and fits it over the stroller.



















Note how Tess crouches down in order to get the cover on snugly. This task requires her full attention and necessitates the removal of her backpack from the backseat so she can easily access her belongings. Tess comments that a major inconvenience with the rain cover is that once it is on she cannot physically access her children.

To remove, she has to stop the stroller, take off the cover and fold it wet to be stored once again in the bottom compartment.

Design Solution: Roll-up Rain Cover

This built-in rain cover eliminates inconvenience in a downpour. It works just like a window shade, simply pull on tabs to move the rain shield up or down.

New York City Subway

Entering the New York City subway system is tricky. First, the stroller needs to be left unattended while the mother gets the attention of the station attendent (if there is one) and has to swipe her card to have the gate opened.

When leaving the system, the mother has to open the gate

knowing that the alarm is going to go off. In this case, the mother was holding her child, leaving the stroller to tip over.

Observations: Storage

While out with Tess on a trip to the Botanical Gardens, I observed a possible need: easy storage and quick-find solutions.

Before purchasing tickets, Tess had to remove her backpack and take out many contents to get to her wallet. 

For a parent who prefers a backpack to a diaper bag, is there a solution for organization?

Dogs and Granny Carts

Some surprises out observing...

I saw this family a few times around the park. They switched it up the last time I saw them.

Stroller Cargo

Strollers store and carry more than a child. 

Diaper bags are carried on the back of the stroller, straps strung over the bars or hooked directly to the stroller. Besides a diaper bag, the handles hold additional bags, such as the users' non-diaper bags and totes. Errands result in grocery bags that add to the back of the stroller.

Observation: Tess goes to the Botanical Gardens

Subjects:Tess & Dale (parents)Rainer (3 yo)

• Walter (21 mos)

Baby carrying devices:Phil & Ted's stroller

• Inglesina stroller
• Ergo baby carrier

Devices and their basic usage:Phil & Ted's stroller: For everyday errands around the neighborhood - too big for the subway

• Inglesina stroller: Used for the subway and bus - Tess and Dale don't use umbrella strollers
• Ergo baby carrier: Both kids are basically too old for this but Dale and Tess used it for subway excursions and even brought Rainer along on a camping trip on the Appalachian trail a couple of years ago

ObservationTess and her two sons allowed us to join them on their trip to the botanical garden. We watched as Tess dealt with a number of challenges during the trip. We took the bus which has some significant challenges since parents absolutely must collapse their stroller when boarding* - at least in NYC. For Tess that doesn't pose a huge problem since she does this all the time. Note that her stroller balances on end after collapsing.

Also a big issue for Tess and her family is that her husband Dale is nearly 7 feet tall and his stride is so long that he can't walk behind either of their strollers. I interviewed Dale about this and learned that due to the necessity for him to walk to the side of strollers, he has jammed his little toe (on both feet) so much that he has gone up a shoe size!

Tess's stride clearances on their strollers...

Tess, like Peter below, also has some issues with one-handed stuff. Because her stroller needs two hands she has trouble talking on the phone. The reason is that her stroller has separated handles rather than a continuous a one that circles around in front of her. That requires the use of both hands to maneuver...

*See the "Rules and regulations" posting for info on other regulations parents need to be aware of.

Observation: Peter demos strollers

Subjects:

• Peter & Christie (parents)
• Kari (4 yo)
• Ingrid (8 mos)

Baby carrying devices:

• Peg Perego stroller
• Kolkraft Universal Car Seat Station stroller
• Inglesina stroller
• Britax Marathon car seat
• Ergo baby carrier
  
• Umbrella stroller*
  

Devices and their basic usage:

• Peg Perego stroller: heavy - 18 lbs. - only used if both kids are in tow. Has bonnet that closes all the way to totally block out the hot sun or a surprise rainfall - range approx. 10 blocks.
• Kolkraft Universal Car Seat Station stroller: Until they get a new tandem stroller this is the everyday workhorse for Peter and Christie - nice one-handed collapsing feature. See Stroller Hacks posting for a cool car seat hack.
• Inglesina stroller: long range trips with just Kari in tow.
• Ergo baby carrier: Mostly used for subway excursions in the city - Kari can walk these days (though with only an 8 block range) so it's 8 month old Ingrid in the Ergo lately
  

*Peter and Christie don't use their old umbrella stroller anymore. It was too much of a hassle for getting Kari to daycare via the subway. They switched daycare providers so they can walk locally with the Peg Perego.

Peter covers a lot of stroller design and usability issues in this clip: collapsibility, wheel size and durability and the elusive one-handed-door-opening test.




Some findings:

- Collapsing function - requires 2 hands - note that the stroller doesn't balance on end after folding (some strollers do so)

- Wheels - the bigger the better (and the more expensive) - small wheels will inevitably break down and need replacing - replacement isn't always easy or affordable but in the end when posed with the question "If you knew then what you now know about the different strollers on the market and their relative advantages and qualities, would you have taken a different route in acquiring the various baby carrying devices?" his answer was "I would probably have bought the same things I've got. Look, we just sort of stumble through it and even though things like expensive replacement wheels are annoying, you're going to pay for these things one way or another. You just have to choose your stuff based on your budget at the time."

Door test - apparently most strollers with the separate handles don't pass the one-handed-door-opening test


Here's what it looks like to pass the one-handed-door test (this is a different stroller than the one demonstrated above)

This handle bar design solves the problem of one-handed versus two-handed strollers by having both types available to the user. The two-handed bars are made adjustable for pushing comfort and maneuverability, especially through tight spaces. The one-handed center bar can be used for multi-tasking purposes such as opening doors, talking on the phone or drinking coffee. Near the center handle are easy access drink holders. This design also allows for extra bags, purses and backpacks to hang from the inner or outer handles.

Mail carrier cart

Here's a great example of a lightweight compact collapsible cart. Kind of the ultimate in collapsibility, huh? It's all cast aluminum. This helpful mail carrier demonstrated how it works and pointed out a design flaw: the crossbars connecting the wheels to the frame break if overloaded with mail. Nothing's perfect...

stretchable shades and covers

The memory of the plastic on this umbrella could be a solution for stroller cover storage as the plastic can stretch across the frame and then when removed,

it could retract into a small ball.

strollers flip backwards

When strollers have bags loaded on the back, they flip over, the chair above was found on the internet can't flip backwards because of how the weight is distributed. The stroller below takes this structural concept and allows for storage to be integral with the frame of the stroller while also allowing the seated position of the child to be adaptable and adjustable.

Ample storage is also available under the seat.

Tire inspirations

Durable pneumatic foam tires tires that never go flat found on the Inventables website.

Riding the bus: some observations

Rules, Regulations and Tips for Transportation

Some recommendations and rules for getting around with a baby and a stroller, in New York City and beyond.

Strollers Tipping Over

Strollers carry much more than a baby. They are used to transport bags, both for the baby and those accumulated during errands.

A major need we have discovered is for lightweight strollers, mainly umbrella strollers, to not tip over. 

Without the baby, a diaper bag makes the stroller tip over. To prevent tipping, the bag is placed where the baby will be. 

One bag too many...

Who we are

We are four Industrial Design Graduate students investigating the transportation of babies in New York City.

We'll be posting our thoughts and findings through photos, drawings and more right here.