A passion for designing unique products

KOCHI: His designs speak of his sense of aesthetics and functionality. Sanu K R, a product design student of Keltron Advanced Design Centre, Kadavanthra, has a list of sleek and elegant items.  The prominent products include futuristic transportation mode, a device to keep afloat, faucet, watch, vacuum cleaner, spider table, chair, clay cup and wrist watch. When the demand for a single-seater vehicle flitted through his mind, the concept of  futuristic vehicle evolved. The two-wheeler is handy but exposed to elements. “We at Keltron Centre are asked to think out of the box.” he said. Designed for a single person, the futuristic transportation concept is a round-shaped vehicle that uses two wheels at unique angles to balance and support the main body offering a unique experience to the driver. With no steering wheel, the user will have to manoeuvre with the joystick. Even children will be able to use it and it requires less space. This should become popular in 2050, he said“I have employed the theory of inverted pendulum. With gyroscopic sensors and fluid-based levelling sensors the weight shift and the balance of the system can be detected. The system is powered by two electric motors. It balances with the help of a processing unit, tilt sensors, and gyroscopic sensors. The servo drive motors rotate the wheels forwards or backwards as needed for balance or propulsion. And gear lever-like joystick can be used to steer this system,” he said. The designs are part of his project modules which he created under the guidance of his teacher Vivek Sasindran. He also referred the TRIZ 40 Principles, had brainstorming sessions with classmates and even checked end user study. “I sometimes  draw using metaphors as in the case of spider table or use expressions to design. I ponder for long before creating a design and improvise too,” he said.He is also inspired by issues. “The Mullaperiyar issue prompted the floating design. On unlocking the horse-shoe shaped device, it inflates and can be worn around the neck to keep one afloat in water. It can also be thrown to people who fall into the water and can be shoved into a bag.