Responsibility
I was excited to take part in the annual Makeathon at Imperial College's Dyson School of Design Engineering. Working in a team of four, we were given 24 hours to research, design, and present a feasible product concept. After discussions, I proposed the concept of Ancove, an Internet of Things device that utilizes active noise cancelling technology to reduce noise levels in indoor spaces.
The initial idea for the product was developed through a group brainstorming and mind-mapping session, where we assessed all our ideas over the Viability, Feasibility, Desirability and Sustainability. We chose my concept of a noise cancelling device for a room as at the time we all lived in the city and we knew the impact of noise pollution. We worked together to ensure that the product was technically feasible and met all necessary safety and performance standards.
I was responsible for designing and modeling the product, as well as creating detailed CAD drawings and renders to visually communicate the design. I also played a key role in identifying and solving any potential issues that may arise in the industrial setting, and ensuring that all claims and proposed solutions were backed by evidence.
Throughout the development process, my team and I were mindful of the need to make Ancove a desirable product for users, and we took great care to design a device that is unobtrusive, versatile, and customizable to fit the aesthetic of any space, accounting for all possible users desires and concerns.
As I was responsible for the design of ANcove, I ensured it met our own product brief, as a sleek and modern modular product with customizable features to fit the aesthetic of any space. Functionally the device uses a microphone to pick up sound from the surrounding area and sends it to a chip for processing. The chip then inverts the waveform of the sound, which creates a phenomenon known as "destructive interference." This effectively cancels out or reduces unwanted noise, resulting in a quieter environment. The device can be powered via a plug or wirelessly with batteries. Additionally, Ancove generates a sound map of the room which can be viewed on the Ancove app.
Dyson School of Design Engineering Makeathon Winner 2022
March 2022 | The winner of this project had to outperform over 100+ other contestants in just a 24 Hours to design a conceptualise the most innovative and impactful project/product.
Concept Development
Ancove is designed to be a versatile and unobtrusive device that can be fitted to any window, whether it be interior or exterior. The product utilizes existing cutting-edge technologies that have yet to be integrated, specifically the ability to create sound by oscillating large surfaces, and the more developed technology of using antinoise to create destructive interference and reduce noise.
One of the key design features of Ancove is its ability to be fitted to any window without being obstructive or showing any evidence of movement. The device is designed to be discreet and blend seamlessly with the surrounding environment. It can be attached to a window using a mounting system that securely attaches the device to the window without any damage to the window or surrounding structure.
The device can also be customized to match the aesthetic of the space, whether it be a traditional or modern design. The design is small and abatable with the ability to work with any and all window sizes and shapes.
The integration of these technologies in Ancove allows for the device to effectively cancel out noise by oscillating large surfaces and creating destructive interference with anti-noise. This results in a significant reduction of noise levels in the surrounding area. The device can be used in any indoor spaces such as restaurants, co-working spaces, malls, shops and even in your apartment or home office.
Differentiation
- Utilizes cutting-edge technologies | Ancove combines the use of oscillating large surfaces and anti-noise technology to create destructive interference and effectively cancel out noise, making it a unique and innovative product.
- Fits any window | The device can be fitted to any window, whether it be interior or exterior, making it versatile and adaptable to different spaces.
- ANCOVE Frame | The ability to be purchased by businesses as a frame - sound dampening panel. Where the panel can act as advertisements or artwork for the purpose of cancelling noise in public spaces where a window is not present such as restaurant table. The advertising can act as a source of income for the product and a diverging and constant revenue stream.
- Discreet and unobtrusive design | The device is designed to be discreet and blend seamlessly with the surrounding environment, making it unobtrusive and easy to integrate into any space.
- Customizable design | The design of Ancove is modular and adaptable to fit different window sizes and shapes, and can be customized to match the aesthetic of the space.
- Noise reduction | The device can effectively reduce noise levels in the surrounding area by up to 30 decibels in some regions, making it a powerful solution for creating a quieter and more comfortable environment.
- Sound map generation | Ancove generates a sound map of the room which can be viewed on the Ancove app.
- Real world usage | Ancove can be used in various settings such as restaurants, co-working spaces, malls, shops and even in your apartment or home office.
- Feasibility testing | The product was feasibility tested using calculations and accounting for market and product feasibility, ensuring that it meets all necessary safety and performance standards.
- Research-based | The product was researched, designed and prototyped within 24 hours as part of a challenge, shows the level of understanding and potential of the product.