portable battery pack for the outdoor
User Research
Industrial Design
Human Machine Interaction
Brand Design
Adobe
CC
Figma
Shapr
3D
Solid
Works
Keyshot
BENTO reimagines battery management for adventurers with a sleek, functional design. Through refined sketches, early cardboard prototypes, and material studies, I developed a folding mat that encapsulates detachable sockets and 1950 kWh LiPo batteries. Featuring embedded solar cells, it ensures power on the go and integrates seamlessly with camping gear for effortless recharging of small devices
Modern battery management systems for outdoor use are often bulky and lack seamless integration with camping and outdoor gear. This compromises portability and fails to meet the needs of outdoor enthusiasts who prioritize compact, lightweight, and user-friendly solutions for their adventure
5
Naturalistic Observations
6
Personal Interviews
260+
Survey Responses
User Journey Map helped to understand different consumer touch points
Blue Ocean Strategy revealed a significant design gap in smooth and rugged products
Project Benchmarking helped me in creating design attributes of the product
It highlighted gaps in current products, emphasizing a shift toward consumer trends for wireless, modular designs. Key insights include:
- Frequent Device Charging Needs: Campers, hikers, and trekkers require a reliable power source to charge their devices during outdoor activities but lack compact and customizable options
- Incompatibility with Outdoor Gear: Existing battery packs are not designed to integrate seamlessly with the equipment and paraphernalia carried by outdoor backpackers, creating usability challenges
- Design for Outdoor Interactions: User interactions in natural settings demand a system that is intuitive, rugged, and adaptable to various environmental condition
I compiled user insights from surveys and interviews, which helped me create three distinct personas for users aged 25 to 35. These personas guided the design and functionality of the Bento project by highlighting diverse user needs and preferences
She is a dedicated housewife with two children,who loves taking her family on monthly trail adventures
She seeks versatility in a battery pack that enhances her family trek experience
He is a trek tour guide who spends most of his time documenting and connecting people to the nature
He desires a product that seamlessly integrates into his daily trekking lifestyle without being an additional burden to carry
He is a passionate photographer who loves going on nature-driven excursions with friends or family
As an enthusiastic photographer, he desires a solution for charging his numerous gadgets every two days during week-long camping trips with friends to enhance his documenting experience
Using the personas and Blue Ocean strategy as a foundation, I created a mood board that targets tech enthusiasts and avid campers, positioning the final product within this niche market
Inspired by the mood board, I incorporated smooth, filleted edges into the main battery unit. My initial sketches followed a campfire layout, placing the energy source at the center with detachable sockets and solar panels arranged around it
In these sketches I explore the campfire layout and also used fire as a form inspiration for the battery unit
The final design featured a central battery unit with detachable sockets, stored in a portable box that unfolds into an organizing mat
I explored two distinct forms for the battery housing: one dynamic and the other abstract
With the finalized sketch I constructed a mock prototype for usability testing using styrofoam and cardboard
Styrofoam and cardboard prototype construction
Battery is connected in the center with flaps that unfold to hold sockets
Users found the form still bulky and tough to carry
Informed by insights from version 1, in these sketches I dived deeper into analyzing the various system interactions and how they fall into a cohesive design language
I conceptualized a customizable socket layout and a flexible handle design to minimize hand strain
These sketches integrate the battery into the mat while exploring diverse casing shapes. Additionally, I considered folding mechanisms and portability, envisioning the mat housed in a cloth cover
These sketches guided the development of the final form for the detachable socket
I crafted the functional prototype using laser-cut MDF panels, woodworked plywood, and meshed felt
MDF and canvas used for base construction of the prototype
Developed a CMF that resonates with the outdoor-tech aesthetics
Adding final accent details on the prototype
Bento takes inspiration from its literal meaning with a mat that unfolds to organize device charging as per need
- Features a minimalist UI with a vibrant yellow trim, symbolizing energy and aligning with Bento’s sleek aesthetic
- The logo incorporates a stylized “B” with triangular elements, representing the placement of sockets on the mat
Final prototype of Bento photographed in nature along with its cover and other camping accessories
Prototype photographed alongside a camper showcasing the scale reference of the model
Close up photograph of the magnetic detachable socket highlighting the chamfered details
Hero shot render of Bento with its branding identity showing its folding sections
Exploded view render of all the components that were designed to make the product functional
Close up render showing the detachable socket that fits into the yellow demarcated triangle
Close up render of the battery management module alongside the detachable socket in position
Close up render showing the battery housing alongside the management module
- Innovative Portability: Designed a foldable mat with an integrated battery core, offering a compact, lightweight solution that can be easily carried like a sleeping bag on a backpack
- Customizable Functionality: Developed modular magnetic socket units that adapt to user needs, enhancing versatility and convenience for outdoor enthusiasts
