SUNSTALK

A unique indoor lighting and mobility solution
LAMP + CANE
PROJECT OVERVIEW
I was tasked with creating a piece of furniture that can provide a solution to a distinct problem that people face in their everyday lives. This was a rather vague prompt that allowed much freedom, so I began to look at the world around me for inspiration.
MY GRANDFATHER
My grandfather started using a cane around the time of the project. He often complained about his plastic and metal cane, and lamented the prohibitive scarcity and price of a high quality wooden cane.
At home, having the unwieldy item falling over when he rests it against a table or chair is infuriating, especially at night when it's difficult to see considering his weakening eyesight. He wishes for a properly designed walking stick he can use at home comfortably.
LIFESPAN > HEALTHSPAN
A major problem in a person's life is the healthspan of the elderly.
As a society, humanity has managed to extend our lifespan from 50 years to almost 100 years.
However, our overall health continues to deteriorate with age. While only medical sciences can directly address this issue, I aim to aid the elderly in their later years.
MOBILITY AND VISION
One of the most prominent problems the elderly face in our current society are mobility issues. Over 40% of older adults use a mobility aid like a walking stick, walker, or wheelchair.
To further exacerbate this issue, 60% off people who have some form of vision impairment are over 60.
DESIGN FOR THE ELDERLY
Many seniors have expressed their opinions on currently available mobility tools and furniture, often judging them to either as not designed at all or designed in a patronizing fashion.
Many complain of having their mood dampened when catching sight of the bare, functional, blunt reminder of their looming health issues.
DEFINED GOAL
After much deliberation, I decided to create an indoor floor lamp that can also be used as a walking stick that provides ambient lighting. If nothing else, I want my design to improve the home lives of the elderly as much as I can.
PROCESS
3D FORM DEVELOPMENT
TECHNOLOGY
Automatic Lighting System
The SunStalk has a built in lighting system that automatically lights up in low light environments. The light can also be switched off manually by twisting the cap, eliminating fiddly switches that can be hard to locate.
Induction Charging
The SunStalk sits in base stations that the user can place around the house in specific locations such as the bedside and dinner table. These stations provide inductive charging for the SunStalk while also being a place for the SunStalk to sit in comfortably.
FINAL RENDERINGS
After making sure all textures, materials, and lighting were in place, I created these final renderings to showcase the form, materials, and contextual environment of the SunStalk; I also rendered a short animation to provide a clear explanation about how one would use it.
©2024 Tyler Yuan
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