Industrial Design Internship: June – August 2022
What is Elroy Air?
They are start-up developing an autonomous cargo aircraft system that can enable expedited shipping to areas that are hard to reach, like providing relief during natural disasters
They are start-up developing an autonomous cargo aircraft system that can enable expedited shipping to areas that are hard to reach, like providing relief during natural disasters
Two Parts:
Part 1: Wing Display Model
Part 2: Express Pod
Part 1: Wing Display Model
Part 2: Express Pod
Part 1: Wing Display Model
Problem: Since the whole aircraft is so large Elroy Air can't possibly bring it to every trade show. Therefore we need a scale model that can communicate the size of the aircraft while also being easily assemblable by any coworker who presents this model at the trade show.
Tools: Solidworks, 3D printing, Keyshot, Physical Prototyping
Skills: Industrial Design, UX, Prototyping, Design for Manufacturing
The Components
The Wing
Slots and locks into the pylon
Slots and locks into the pylon
The Propeller
Spins onto the pylon
Spins onto the pylon
The Stand
Model is slotted and secured with a screw
Model is slotted and secured with a screw
The Process
Ideation sketches
Sanding 3D prints
Assembly Video
Part 2: Express Pod
Problem: The original cargo pod was not designed with a lid which poses problems with protecting packages while in transit. The ideal cargo pod lid would be weatherproof, easy to use, doesn't obstruct the pod opening, and is simple – something too mechanical would pose problems in the future.
Tools: Solidworks, Sewing, Keyshot
Skills: Industrial Design, Soft Goods Design, UX, Prototyping
Express Pod in Action
Video courtesy of Elroy Air
The Design
The Interaction
Opening: Unzip
Pull on the red zipper pull to unzip the pod lid. The long red tab creates an obvious touch point and the long fabric provides a comfortable reach when unzipping the pod lid.
Pull on the red zipper pull to unzip the pod lid. The long red tab creates an obvious touch point and the long fabric provides a comfortable reach when unzipping the pod lid.
Opening: Lift Handles
Lift the large plastic handles. These are the next most obvious touchpoint. Due to the hard panels on the side, the act of pulling the lid from the middle naturally folds the lid in half.
Lift the large plastic handles. These are the next most obvious touchpoint. Due to the hard panels on the side, the act of pulling the lid from the middle naturally folds the lid in half.
Opening: Magnets
Once the lid is folded ceramic magnets instantly keep the two sides folded together, simplifying the order of operations.
Once the lid is folded ceramic magnets instantly keep the two sides folded together, simplifying the order of operations.
Open State:
The lid hangs folded at the side, out of the way
Closing: Lift Handles
The handles are ready at the side. The user just needs to lift the handles without needing to bend far
The lid hangs folded at the side, out of the way
Closing: Lift Handles
The handles are ready at the side. The user just needs to lift the handles without needing to bend far
Closing: The Fall
The 2 hard panels make it easy to allow the lid to fall and cover the packages in one motion
The 2 hard panels make it easy to allow the lid to fall and cover the packages in one motion
Closing: Zip
Using the zipper the user closes the packages, ensuring it is safe.
Using the zipper the user closes the packages, ensuring it is safe.
The Process
Ideation sketches
Decision tree
Sketch models of the accordion, roll, and lift top ideas
Storyboard of ideal interaction
Prototyping working model
Worker interacting with Express Pod
