Wobble Bobble
A classroom solution that lets kids move
Problem Statement:
Current options for sensory seating are not used to their full potential because they require too much supervision and teacher input, so we need an option that is inexpensive, easy to use, and cannot be displaced by the child.
I read a variety of scientific papers and interviewed an Occupational Therapist who works with elementary-aged children to determine what needs to be improved about classroom options for alternative seating.
Main Design Goals:
Target users: elementary age kids, but safely accommodates adult weight
Provide full-body motion to engage the balancing reflex
Only requires adult input to set up the first time
First Round Prototypes:
Circles cut from laminated MDF
3D Printed Ball and Socket
Takeaways:
Plates should be thinner
Needs a mechanism to not smash fingers
Edges should be rounded
Second Round Prototypes:
Plates cut from plywood
3D printed mechanism
Textured rubber hot glued to wood
Upholstered in canvas
Takeaways:
Upholstery necessary for padding
Mechanism keeps gap between plates
Final Prototype
Wood main body pieces
removable upholstered section
rubberized anti-slip bottom
mechanism doesn't let the plates touch
