Universal Shopping Cart

DesignVanya Padmanabhan

Isabel NewsomeMichael Sarris

ID 2022 // Wendell Wilson

PROJECT STATEMENT

The goal of this project is to create a universally designed grocery shopping device for manually-operated wheelchair users and non-wheelchair users. The device must incorpo-rate mobile/wireless technology to offer further aid when grocery shopping.

01Research

Task AnalysisGrocery shopping

Make grocery list

Go to grocery store

Locate/ pick upgrocery carts

Entergrocery store

Find groceries

CheckoutLeave

grocery store

Locate aisle

Locate sectionwithin aisle

Find desired product

Place productin cart

Repeatas necessary

Locate check out

Stand in shortest check out

line

Load itemsonto belt

Pay

Swipe card orpay with cash

Receive receipt

Load bagged groceries into cart

Take cart tocar

Unload groceriesinto car

Return cart to “cart return”

area

0.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

5.1

5.2

5.3

5.4

5.5

6.1

6.2

6.3

6.4

6.4.1

6.5

6.6

7.1

7.2

7.3

Non-Wheelchair Users

Task AnalysisGrocery shopping

0.

Makegrocery list

1.Go to

grocery store

2.Enter

grocery store

3. Locate/pickup grocery

cart

4.Grocery shopping

5.Checkout

6.

Load wheelchair into

car

2.1

Drive to grocery store

2.2

Unloadwheelchair

2.3

Find wheelchair-

accessible ramp

3.1 Locate aisle

5.1

Locatesection

5.2

Findproduct

5.3

Pick upproduct

5.4

Locateworker

4.1

Switch intoautomaticwheelchair

4.2

Givepersonal chair

to worker

4.3

Ask forassistance/

reorient chair

5.4.1

Repeat5.5

Locate check out

Stand in shortest check

out line

Load itemsonto belt

Pay

Receive receipt

Loadbagged groceries

into cart

6.1

6.2

6.3

6.4

6.4.1

6.5

6.6

Leavegrocery store

Take cart tocar

Unload groceriesinto car

Return cartto “cart return”

area

7.

7.1

7.2

7.3

Swipe card orpay with cash

Load wheelchair into

car

7.4

If usingstore’sautomaticwheelchair

If retrieving out-of-reachproduct

Wheelchair Users

Needs & Wants

» Way to hold groceries » Dual use (for abled/disabled users)

» Wheels to move cart easily » Handles that are reachable in a wheelchair/ not

» Functional, durable » Fit in grocery aisle (width/length-wise)

» Be able to be used easily by (dis)abled users

Needs Wants vs

» Way to obtain objects out of reach

» Way to attach to the wheel-chair (at the smaller wheel poles)

» Extra food storage » Hangers for bags » Doesn’t bring attention to dis-abled users

» Minimal footprint » Modern, sleek aesthetic » Place to hold your phone

Wheelchair Measurements

** Measurements provided by Human Dimension & Interior Space by Julius Panero and Martin Zelnik

Wheelchair Measurements

** Measurements provided by Human Dimension & Interior Space by Julius Panero and Martin Zelnik

Store Measurements

Varied Aisle

Length

Starter Section

Add-On Section

Add-On Section

Single Unit

36”- 96”

24”-48”24”-36”

** Measurements provided by http://www.discountshelving.com/SoftContent/gondola-shelving.aspx

E-commerce Data

** Infographics provided by The Future of Grocery, a 2015 Nielsen study

E-commerce DataWHAT TO TAKE AWAY:

» Generation X and Z are more likely to use a virtual supermarket or order groceries online

» America has the highest percentage of people currently using online or mobile coupons

» America has the second highest percentage of people currently using a retailer’s app to receive information or offers

Existing ProductsWheelchair Compatible

Aesthetics

Storage

User Experience

Wireless/ Interface Component

Wheelchair Compatible

Aesthetics

Storage

User Experience

Wireless/ Interface Component

Wheelchair Compatible

Aesthetics

Storage

User Experience

Wireless/ Interface Component

Wheelchair Compatible

Aesthetics

Storage

User Experience

Wireless/ Interface Component

Wheelchair Compatible

Aesthetics

Storage

User Experience

Wireless/ Interface Component

Wheelchair Compatible

Aesthetics

Storage

User Experience

Wireless/ Interface Component

Material Research

CheapLow weightHigh strengthMalleableEasy machiningCorrosion resistanceEasy to recycle

Steel coated in zincLow long term costLong lifespanReliableTough

Galvanized Steel

Aluminum CheapSturdyLong lifespanLightweightLow frictionEasy to mold

Plastic

Long lifespanWater resistantElectrical insulatorHeat resistant

Rubber

02Personas

Ezra

Small Business OwnerWheelchair User

32 years oldAtlanta, GA

Shopping Schedule

1. Arrive at grocery store

2. Unload wheelchair and navigate to store entrance

3. Either find basket and put in lap or push cart alongside wheelchair

4. Shop for items

5. If assistance is needed to reach a food item, either select a different item or ask store clerk for help

6. Checkout items and load items into car

“Shopping Experience

“I want a shopping cart that will not distinguish me as a disabled user. I want something that will blend in and allow for me to go about my daily life unnoticed.”

Shopping Item Used Shopping basket or electric cart

Payment Method/Budget credit card & assisted checkout/$100

Personal Statement

Ezra was in a car accident at the age of 21, and has been disabled for 11 years. He used to own an electric wheelchair, but recently switched to a manual wheelchair. He enjoys spending time with his girlfriend and dog, Bean.

Grocery shopping is typically a full day ordeal, where Ezra has to plan out exactly what he wants to buy beforehand. Sometimes his girlfriend comes to help out, but Ezra likes to be independent and shop on his own.

Physical Abilities

Dexterity

Stamina

Strength

Flexibility

“Pet Peeves

“I often rest the shopping basket in my lap when shopping for food. Dirt is often transferred from the bottom of the basket onto my clothing.”

Memory

Motor Skills

Visual and Spatial Processing

Cognitive Abilities

“

Lawyer/MommyNon-Disabled User

40 years oldBoston, MA

Shopping Schedule

1. Arrive at grocery store

2. Enter store and locate shopping carts (ideally one with a child seat)

3. Pull up grocery list on phone, and text family if they want anything in particular

4. Locate food and place into grocery cart

5. Navigate to checkout line

6. Load groceries into car, usually with the assistance of a store clerk

“Shopping Experience

“I want a shopping cart that is big enough to hold all of the groceries I need for my family of four. I also need to be in and out of the store in under an hour.”

Shopping Item Used Shopping cart

Payment Method/Budget credit card & assisted checkout/$200

Personal Statement

Nina is a very busy person, holding a part time job at a law firm while also caring for two kids. She has a very tight schedule, and every day is planned to the minute. She and her family live in Boston, MA. They enjoy spending time at Butter and Cream, their favorite ice cream restaurant.

Nina shops for groceries once a week on Sunday afternoons. She shops for a family of four, and often fills the shopping cart. She is always on the go, and likes to visit familiar stores to reduce the time spent shopping.

Pet Peeves

“I hate when people leave shopping carts in the parking lot or grocery store. I always have trouble locating a shopping cart when I’m in a rush. ”

Nina

Physical Abilities

Dexterity

Stamina

Strength

Flexibility

Cognitive Abilities

Memory

Motor Skills

Visual and Spatial Processing

“

Marshall

FitBit EmployeeNon-Disabled User

24 years oldSan Fransisco, CA

Shopping Schedule

1. Arrive at grocery store

2. Enter store and locate shopping carts / baskets

3. Pull up grocery list on phone

4. Locate food and place into grocery cart

5. Navigate to checkout line

6. Use self checkout

7. Load groceries into car, and drive home

“Shopping Experience

“I want a shopping cart that is very compact and lightweight. Since I mainly shop for one person, I don’t need the extra space that is in the typical shopping cart.”

Shopping Item Used Shopping basket or cart

Payment Method/Budget credit card & self checkout/ $75

Personal Statement

Marshall is originally from Texas, but moved to San Fransisco two years ago for work. He lives in an apart-ment outside of San Fransisco with two other roommates. He enjoys ex-ploring the Bay area. Recently he has discovered a newfound love for food trucks.

Marshall typically goes shopping on Saturday mornings after his workout at the gym. He had a pretty tight budget, and is only shopping for him-self and his pet cat. He usually takes an hour to complete his shopping.

Pet Peeves

“I hate when I overspend on food, and end up buying more than originally planned. It’s hard to know how much I spend until I get the total amount. ”

Physical Abilities

Dexterity

Stamina

Strength

Flexibility

Cognitive Abilities

Memory

Motor Skills

Visual and Spatial Processing

“

Maggie

Retired TeacherNon-Disabled User

75 years oldDenver, CO

Shopping Schedule

1. Arrive at grocery store

2. Locate shopping list in coat pocket and decide what sized cart to use

3. Find cart and place purse and keys into cart

4. Navigate store to select food items to purchase

5. Head to assisted checkout

6. Load groceries into car with help of sales clerk

“Shopping Experience

“I would like a shopping cart that is very compact and easy to push. My wrists and arms get tired after shopping in the store for an hour”

Shopping Item Used Shopping basket or electric cart

Payment Method/Budget credit card & assisted checkout/$150

Personal Statement

Maggie is a retired school teacher living in Denver, Colorado. She en-joys gardening and cooking with her husband, Jim. She is always on the lookout for new recipes, and loves to bake pies and fruit tarts.

Maggie takes frequent visits to the grocery store to pick up ingredients for baking. She loves to find deals on food items, and saves coupons for whenever she goes shopping. She sometimes has trouble remembering everything she needs to buy, result-ing in even more visits to the grocery.

Pet Peeves

“I dislike grocery shopping on days with heavy traffic. I get very frustrated trying to shop around large crowds of people, and I often forget what I planned to buy.”

Physcial Abilities

Dexterity

Stamina

Strength

Flexibility

Memory

Motor Skills

Visual and Spatial Processing

Cognitive Abilities

03Midpoint

Refined Concept Sketches

MidpointConstruction

Midpoint

Key Features

Dual use

Adjustable handle (completely folds down for clear field of vision)

Removable baskets (for ease at checkout)

Wheelchair attachments(for stability and security)

Wide wheel base(moves 360 degrees)

Interface Concept

Interface

Sign In Page Sign Up Page Home

Interface

Calendar Grocery List Alert Sales Clerk

Interface

Recipes Budget Tracker Barcode Scanner

Interface

Budget Tracker

04Testing

Plan for Testing: Non-Disabled UsersProcedureStep 1: Give user shopping cart to testStep 2: Direct user to use shopping cart on side with handle, if not being used that way alreadyStep 3: Ask user to move around the area with the cartStep 4: Give user food to load and unload into cartStep 5: Allow the user to move around with the cart attached for 1-4 more minutes, testing the cart out individuallyStep 7: Give them device with app for shoppingStep 8: Allow them to use app for 1-3 minutesStep 9: Offer assistance with app if needed

Questions1: How did this shopping cart compare to the normal method of shopping for groceries?2: Do you have any major complaints about the design?3: Do you especially love any feature of the shopping cart?4: Would you pick this shopping cart over your current shopping device?5: How could we improve the overall design of the shopping cart?6: How does this cart address your needs specifically?7: Was the app helpful?8.Would you download the app? 9: Do you wish the app had any additional features?7: Any further suggestions for the app or physical model?

Plan for Testing: Disabled UsersProcedureStep 1: Arrive at Shepherd Center for user testingStep 2: Unload shopping cart and fasten the cart to the user’s wheelchair using the two side attachments located on the front of the shopping cart (ask user to try and fasten the cart to the chair him/herself)Step 3: Ask user to move around the area with the cart attached to chairStep 4: Give user food to load and unload into cartStep 5: Allow the user to move around with the cart attached for 1-4 more minutes, testing the cart out individuallyStep 7: Give them device with app for shoppingStep 8: Allow them to use app for 1-3 minutesStep 9: Offer assistance with app if needed

Questions1: How did this shopping cart compare to the normal method of shopping for groceries?2: Do you have any major complaints about the design?3: Do you especially love any feature of the shopping cart?4: Would you pick this shopping cart over your current shopping device?5: How could we improve the overall design of the shopping cart?6: How does this cart address your needs specifically?7: Was the app helpful?8.Would You download the app? 9: Do you wish the app had any additional features?7: Any further suggestions for the app or physical model?

Midpoint Testing

“This is exactly what we need. In fact, I would have used this

last week if it was available. Improve the aesthetics and I would buy one

tomorrow.”

» Basket height might need to be adjustable » Wheelchair attachments must require little to no dexterity » Overall aesthetics must be improved » Impressive initial concept » Possibly include a place to store one’s phone

Physical Model » Handles on basket should be reachable, do not block with frame

» Explore methods of self-checkout incorporated into the cart

» Stability and security are of main concern

Midpoint Testing

» Calendar function is unnecessary

» Font is too small » “Alert” page is useful but too complicated

» Include a “Map” page » Budget tracker is very helpful » Clean aesthetic » Grocery list feature could incorporate a “Search for Items” capability

Interface

“Intuitive, beautiful, and extremely helpful, but remember less is more. We don’t need functions our phone already has.”

05Final

Improving Midpoint

No “grip”/place for hands to

help wheelchair users maneuver under our cart

Cheap, wobbly, small plastic

wheels(not durable)

Wheelchairattachments are too low/

flimsy/ do not accomodate

different widths of

wheelchair bars

Ugly form and aesthetic, inconsistent

Frame is too high, covers handles of

baskets

Final Concept

Easilyremovable

baskets

Adjustablewheelchair

attachments

Rubber, 360 degree

wheels

Adjustablehandle bar for

non-wheelchairusers

Transluscent panels for “lightness” and

slight visibility

Form doubles as handle for wheelchair

users (to help maneuver

into the cart)

Final Model

Color & Materials

Color Study Material Study

Teal Dark Silver Perforated Plastic Stainless Steel

» “A calming color” » “Gender neutral” » “It doesn’t bring attention to the cart. It also doesn’t remind us of the ‘handicap blue’ we are so used to seeing.”

» Strong » Easy to clean » Industrial-look » Tubing is easy to bend

» Corrosion resistant

» “Industrial. » “It gives me a sense of sturdiness/ stability”

» “It reminds me of something sleek, modern, and tech-savvy”

» Easy to clean » Durable » Cheap to manufacture

» Perforations increase visibility of groceries

» Lightweight

Orthographic

35.46

24.00 22.50

4

A

123

B B

A

2 134

SCALE: 1:12SOLIDWORKS Student Edition. For Academic Use Only.

Final Interface

Sign In Page Sign Up Page Home Page

Final Interface

Find Closest Store Recipe Ideas Grocery List

Final Interface

Alert Clerk for Help Alerting Clerk Confirmation

Final Interface

Price of Items in Cart Budget TrackerScan for Price

Final Interface

Locate Food In Store Food Location/Price

For Interface Walk Through:

https://vimeo.com/157878753

06Testing

Final Testing

“Sleek and modern, it really combines form and function.

With more rigid wheelchair

attachments, this would be a

knockout”

Physical Model

PROS » Consistent aesthetic » Sturdy and stable » Improves current shopping

device used (baskets) » Color choice is not

distracting » Clean, simple

CONS » Wheelchair attachments

are not rigid enough, which makes it difficult for the cart to turn with the wheelchair » Baskets are slightly high

for those with shorter wheelchairs » Legs may be too narrow

Final Testing“Several extremely helpful features...especially the

“Budget Tracker”. I haven’t seen that before and it would be helpful to easily see what the most expensive item in

my basket is.”

Interface

PROS » Useful, unique features

(i.e. Budget Tracker, Most Expensive Item, Barcode Scanner, Alert Sales Clerk) » Color scheme » Intuitive » Easily recognizable icons

CONS » Font is legible, but wish

there was the option to increase/decrease font size » Possibly incorporate self-

checkout through the phone or the option to purchase groceries before entering store

CONCLUSION

Our concept was well-received in the summative testing. Most users felt that it fully addressed their initial “needs and wants”. However, many expressed concerns that the wheelchair attachments were not rigid enough. They did not allow for easy movement in the wider wheelchairs. We struggled finding a solution that was both rigid and flexible (to account for differences in wheelchairs) and both sturdy and easy to attach/detach (for those with limited dexterity). Moving forward, we would need to do more research into possible wheelchair attachments.