Shih-Ching Chang
Integrated Industrial Design
I'm an interdisciplinary designer with a user-centred mindset.
Major project
A Home-based Upper Limb Rehabilitation Design Solution for Stroke Survivors
theraKit
thera is a design solution that aims to motivate and assist stroke survivors to do upper limb rehabilitation at home. It is a service design solution including one physical solution: theraKit and one digital solution: theraApp. theraKit includes three physical devices: theraWatch, theraBall and theraCharger. Both theraWatch and theraBall utilise sensor technology to achieve smart tracking of the rehabilitation. theraKit and theraBall were connected via Bluetooth. The experience is enhanced through connecting the physical devices with the supporting digital application: theraApp, which is an application incorporating the therapy processes not only for stroke survivors but also for stakeholders such as healthcare professionals, and stroke communities.
theraWatch Scenario
theraWatch is a wearable that tracks users' upper limb activity. It gives users not only visual feedback but also audio and haptic feedback which is especially important for stroke survivors who suffer from visual impairment (visual impairment is a common effect of stroke). Due to the nature of its form factor, users can easily exercise anywhere they want and track every move they make without confining themselves to the screen.
theraWatch with embedded EMG Electrodes
Tracking the upper limb activity of users is achieved by the embedded electromyography (EMG) sensors which touches the users’ skin. The EMG sensors collect data of the electrical activity of the muscles. With the advantage of the tinyML, theraWatch can operate the machine learning models which can classify different hand movements. Compared with other competitors, it is much easier to use without the need to wear complex exoskeleton devices to track the distal upper limb activity.
theraBall
theraBall is a smart squeeze ball that can detect different squeeze strength by embedded force resistance sensors (FSR). It can also track users’ movement by collecting data from Inertial measurement unit (IMU). LED light can indicate the status of the device. The top silicone has pattern to stimulate users’ sensory. It can not only be used by stroke survivor but also can be used by their family or friend as interactive devices.
theraApp
theraApp is a digital solution that provides a coherent user experience during the journey of rehabilitation. It is a digital application series that caters to the different needs of the users and different types of media. There are three types of threaApp: theraApp for Stroke Survivors, theraApp for Healthcare professionals, and theraApp for theraWatch.
theraWatch - Different Colours
theraBall - Different Top Cover
theraWatch - Exploded View
Shih-Ching Chang
Major project
A Home-based Upper Limb Rehabilitation Design Solution for Stroke Survivors
Awards
Ai301 is an IoT project (a Spectral Irradiance Meter) which had won Taiwan Excellence award in 2022.
Work Experience
I have worked as an industrial designer at Apacer Technology for two years. Besides working on digital storage devices, I also had experience in a diverse range of IoT products. Undergoing design proposals into communication with relative parties and finally into mass manufacturing, this experience not only made me grow as an independent designer but more importantly enhanced efficiency in communicating to achieve the design goal. Apart from traditional industrial design work, I also had an opportunity to work on a user experience/ interface project on e-paper, which is entirely a different design approach and experience.