StrumMaster

Discovering a Need:

There are many assistive technology products that help those with disabilities to perform basic daily tasks and necessities.
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However, there are less assistive technology being developed to assist with leisure activities. ‍

The need for leisure activities is imperative and greatly improves the quality of life and mental well-being.With music and playing instruments being popular hobby (and an interest of everyone on the team) we decided to focus on creating an assistive product for guitar players.‍

Main Objectives:

1. A seamless user experience as close to the experience of standard finger style guitar playing‍
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2. The upmost functionality from start to end
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3. A reasonably priced product

Research

To ensure we create a unique solution we researched what products already exist in the world. We searched for patents, products in the market, and potential competitors. These findings included a guitar chord pressing device patent, an automatic violin player patent, and Chord buddy a mechanical chord pressing solution.
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We found there were no current solutions that replicated the right hand for playing fingerstyle guitar.

To ensure that the product we produce is of highest quality we also consulted potentials users, a stringed instrument design professor, and an assistive technology research professor for what would be expected of a product like this.
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After conducting market research, user research, interviews and consulting experts in the field, the team compiled a list of user requirement findings for the product
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user requirements:

Mountable with one hand
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No significant impact to sound
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No damage to guitar
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Device is removeable and can be played with both hands

No guitar's the same. Device accommodates wide range of guitars
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commonly used user input buttons and UI

Concept Generation

To generate ideas for what type of product could fit these main requirements and achieve our main goal, we split up our product into three main functions:

Strumming/Picking: how the device would strum or pick the strings of the guitar

Mounting: how the device would b attached to the guitar

External Controller: how the user would control the device
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Three Main Functions

Strumming/Picking

Mounting

ExternalController

We then narrowed down our options by with our final picks being a linkage picking mechanism, a sliding attachment mechanism, and a button array foot controller with a universal plug in device allowing for the users choice in controller.

After narrowing down our decision to a final solution for each function, we created a cad model of each function, a full assembly, and a low fidelity prototype out of 3D printed parts and cardboard.
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The low fidelity design and the initial CAD model allowed us to conduct initial internal tests. These tests revealed certain areas where the product could be improved.
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Initial
Test Findings:

‍1. Increase size of buttons to prevent accidently pressing neighboring buttons
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2. Baseplate was wobbly, needed better support/placement/ balance

3. Sliding installation system is difficult to achieve with one hand
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4. Initial Linkage system idea did not have enough force or space to strum the strings

5. Linkage system did not provide enough customizability for guitars of different dimensions

Second Iteration

After completing our testing on our first iteration we created a second design implementing improvements to address the problems found from our first test. These implementations include

• Implementing website application to program controller
• Updated installation mechanism to be clip instead of a slider
• Creating larger buttons for the input controller
• Sleeker and softer profile for the device cover
• Changing strumming mechanism to a piston tapping motion
• Included customizability to the piston placement and height
• More customizability in what strings are being played and when through paired digital interface
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Second Iteration Prototypes

From our second Iteration this is our list of findings and things we would like to improve for our final design.

secondary Test Findings:

‍1. Slimmer piston mount profile for increased adjustability between pistons
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2. Include ability to adjust the piston height relative to the string
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3. Damper to lower piston clicking noise

4. More content to guide user on digital interface and preset saving options

5. Include universal port used for common AT controllers

6. Include foot rest area for controller

Final Product!

The final product features slim device profile that replicates the sound of actual guitar playing with no interference from the electronics. It can be installed onto any electric guitar without any damage to the instrument. It additionally has a low price of manufacturing through selecting simple materials. Additionally the device can be manufactured by anyone with a 3D printer or assembled by anyone with the preset materials.

Learnings

Knowing what you do not know

When managing a technical team, there will come times when you may not have the same depth of technical understanding on certain topics. It has very important and extremely helpful when communicating to those with that technical depth of knowledge.

Embracing Imperfection

Every project will always have a certain budget, time line, and limitations. As a retired perfectionist I've learned that churning out an MVP and iterations and learning from them is way more important than trying to get something right the first time. Through doing so, my team and I were able to discover many things and implement improvements that ultimately resulted in a project we are really proud of!