What is
Buzb is a battery-operated handheld sensory toy designed to cater to the needs of individuals with sensory seeking behaviors to keep their senses regulated.
It is a condition in which the brain has trouble receiving and responding to information that comes in through the senses.
1 out of 20 people in the general population and 90% individuals on the autistic spectrum disorder are effected by Sensory processing disorder
Hyposensitivity, also known as Sensory under-responsivity, refers to abnormally decreased sensitivity to sensory input.
Types of sensory processing disorders
Problem Areas
HYPOSENSITIVITY
Constant need for movement engage in sensory seeking to get more sensory input from the environment.
Many autistic people use stimming as a form of sensory seeking to keep their sensory systems in balance
Using fidget toys, chewies and other sensory tools can help in calming
It is present in 5% to 16.5% of the general population
Have a constant need to touch people or textures
Tend to have poor balance
Design Brief
To design a hand held emotional support device that helps in aiding Sensory Processing Disorder, specifically Hyposensitivity.
Provides a soft vibration when squeezed
Helps overcome and replace conspicuous stimming
Helps induce focus while doing a task
Encourages relaxation to calm down an over stimulated individual
Offers both tactile and proprioceptive inputs.
Promotes body awareness and proprioception.
Ergonomics
Understanding the working of the muscles of the forearms
Trying out various grips for comfort
checking the surface area in contact for each grip
Letting the grip lead the form of the product
User Testing
Due to user testing being done in a school environment, photography and videography was strictly prohibited
User testing was done at Sophia opportunity school, Bangalore.
FEEDBACK
Looks like a product not a toy
Product is not suited for kids - Shape, size and grip
Kids don’t understand the direction of use and often use both hands to grip
They prefer soft textures rather than a hard bodies
Need for pop of colors and personal characterization
Can include interactive external surface for
additional engagement
The vibrations along with squeezing concept was
well accepted
New design
Easy and desirable to grip
Soft and squishy from all sides
Accentuated textured surface for a more tactile engagement
Gamified Bee character
Smooth silicon exterior body
Integrated with a microcontroller circuit
