Tag Archives: Layer Design

A Fitness Tracker for Athletes

Posted on by

playr_smartpod_layout

The use of technology to motivate and encourage people to increase their fitness levels through tracking, personal goals and real-time feedback is extremely popular now, and its presence has increased massively in recent years. But, what about technology that’s tailored towards more advanced athletes who require detailed feedback in specific disciplines?

Well Playr could be just the device for them; composing of three components, a smart pod, a high-performance vest and an app, it accurately tracks the athlete during training or a game. The pebble-shaped smart pod, that features a bold light strip down the centre, attaches neatly to the vest which is designed to be worn either over, or under a top and sits on top the user’s back. The compact pod then communicates with the mobile application which provides the athlete with detailed, personal feedback so they can reflect on their performance!

Designer: Benjamin Hubert of Layer Design for Catapult

playr_smartpod_01

PLAYR comprises a smart pod, a high performance vest, and an app. The pod is inserted into the garment, which is worn underneath or over a football jersey, and sits at the top of the athlete’s back. The pod communicates with GPS networks and the PLAYR app to track the athlete during training or a game, including distance covered, sprint distance, Pitch heat map, and player load.

PLAYR has been designed to seamlessly integrate into both training and match situations, to offer statistics to the players and teams in order to improve their game. The PLAYR pod has smart activation, and activates with magnets located inside the vest when inserted in the pocket. LEDs on the PLAYR pod communicate the GPS signal strength, battery life, and charging. When illuminated, these LEDs reveal a pattern in the reverse of the top surface of the pod to communicate the technological high performance nature of the system. The PLAYR pod is designed to be wirelessly recharged between uses on the induction charging pad.

playr_smartpod_02

The PLAYR garment is a high performance vest, created using advanced high performance textiles. The integrated pocket for the pod is located at the base of the neck – a position chosen due to minimum impact in competitive team sports. The pocket is padded to prevent any impact injury, and the pod is inserted into this pocket from outside the garment for ease of access to the pod.

playr_smartpod_08

The PLAYR app allows an athlete to track their performance, and offers a smart coach to improve the user’s game. It also allows the user to compete against friends and peers, and benchmark themselves against professional players. Providing unique performance insight, the SmartCoach system is a world first. PLAYR has handpicked the best professional football coaches and sports scientists to provide individually tailored advice on preparation, performance and recovery; the pillars for success at professional clubs. With SmartCoach insight, consumers for the first time can benchmark their match and training data against the greatest players in the world, as well as their football peers and community.

The app has been designed for ease of use, with simple, intuitive UI. The high contrast design is ideal for use outside where the app will be predominantly used on the sidelines of a pitch.

playr_smartpod_03

playr_smartpod_04

playr_smartpod_05

playr_smartpod_06

playr_smartpod_07

 

An Elegant Solution to the Ever-Changing Demands of Retail

Posted on by

shift_flexible_system_01

SHIFT is an inconspicuous shelving solution for the ever-changing demands of the modern retail environment. During quieter periods when less stock is required or during opening launchers and events, SHIFT’s panels rest flat against the wall in the form of flat, acoustic wall panels to maximize the floor space and create the desired acoustics.

But, during the particularly busy selling periods that sale-season brings, where stock is in high demand, the sheer amount of shelving and retail space is of paramount importance, and this is when the flexibility of SHIFT shows itself! The living hinges allow SHIFT to seamlessly transform into a practical yet minimalistic shelving unit and adapt to fulfill the demands of the situation.

It’s a beautifully elegant solution to a very real problem, and the simplistic execution brings an intriguing and eye-catching piece of functional furniture to the room!

Designer: Layer Design

shift_flexible_system_08

shift_flexible_system_02

shift_flexible_system_03

shift_flexible_system_06

shift_flexible_system_09

shift_flexible_system_04

shift_flexible_system_05

shift_flexible_system_07

Leave Your Tray in Charge

Posted on by

charge_tray_01

A little tray can go a long way to keep your knick knack, keys, phone and more organized! Now, Layer Design’s Charge Trays take things a step further. Though they look as simple as the next tray, these are enhanced with wireless charging functionality so you can leave your everyday items in one convenient spot and not worry about whether you’re smartphone is charged when you go to pick them up again! Crafted from high quality ceramic, there are a variety of shapes, sizes and colors for every user’s unique needs.

Designer: Layer Design

charge_tray_02

charge_tray_03

charge_tray_04

charge_tray_05

charge_tray_06

charge_tray_07

charge_tray_08

charge_tray_09

charge_tray_10

charge_tray_11

The World’s First 3D-Printed Wheelchair

Posted on by

go_01

Up until now, the problem with wheelchair designs has been their one-size-fits all approach to patient needs. GO is an innovative wheelchair design that addresses this problem with the latest 3D printing technology. Like a fine pair of tailor-made shoes, GO is custom fitted to each user’s unique biometrics and functional preferences. No matter the individual’s body shape, weight, and disability, both the seat and foot-plate are independently sized to maximize comfort, flexibility and support. Better yet, as the user changes, so can the sections! A primary concern of users was the strain in self-propelling. To address this, the GO wheelchair has super tactile push rims with a surface designed to lock into the included GO wheelchair glove system that delivers greater power-to-push ratio. This unique system – the first of its kind – decreases the risk of injury and painful conditions common to wheelchair users, such as arthritis in the shoulders.

Designer: Layer Design

GO wheelchair from Benjamin Hubert on Vimeo.

go_02

go_03

go_04

go_05

go_06

go_07

go_08

go_09

go_10

go_11

go_12

go_13

go_14

go_15

go_16

go_17

go_18

go_19

go_20

go_21

go_22

go_23

go_24

go_25

go_26

go_27

go_28

Wheelchair, meet 3D printing.

Posted on by

go_wheelchair_1

3D printing has really changed the way the medical industry functions. One shoe definitely doesn’t fit all, and 3D printing ensures that each patient gets a tailor-made medical solution. The latest medical device to jump aboard the 3D printing express, is the wheelchair. ‘Go’ by Layer Design in collaboration with Materialise is the result of a two year long endeavour to build a wheelchair that pushes the boundaries of medical functionality as well as design. The chair’s design is alterable based on the user’s biometric information, but it isn’t just that. The chair also lends itself to further customization based on user preferences.

The designers claim that the entire chair can be made ready within 2 weeks, which is a whole lot faster than the usual 6-8 week wait for the custom made wheelchairs in today’s market. Not to mention, the Go also boasts of a pretty high style quotient!

Designers: Layer Design & Materialise.

go_wheelchair_2

go_wheelchair_3

go_wheelchair_4

go_wheelchair_5

go_wheelchair_6