What is an FOLED?
FOLED stands for Flexible Organic Light Emitting Diode. It is a device built on a flexible material such as clear plastic or a reflective metal. FOLED's can be rolled-up, folded, and even integrated into fabrics. It's a "soft electronic" that is only 0.3mm thin. FOLED's unique qualities work well for portable, compact, light-weight devices.
The Proposal
What is transportation? How does one transport oneself? Why do we move? And how does the integration of a navigation device improve the way we move around?
We have vehicles that can take us places - busses, cars, trains, boats, bicycles, etc...but we also have our own two feet. Where do we walk? Where do we run? And why? What are people curious about, and what do people desire to do on foot?
Our team decided to create an interface for a watch that would be specific for the avid runner/athlete. We wanted
to devise a touchscreen watch that included a GPS system that could help guide a runner along a pre-set route, that could collect information to be uploaded to an online profile log, as well as provide a runner with neccesary information relevant to enhancing a runner's experience.
We wanted to stray away from the typical runner's watch, and focus on developing something more lightweight with a larger screen that would be quickly viewable while en route to a destination. The runner's watch would be made with an FOLED touchscreen screen, and would include various vibration sensor modes that would indicate direction changes or encouragement
to continue a challenging run.
So, how does this watch essentially work?
Initially, once the watch is purchased, you can connect to the watch company's website (hopefully one we will own and manage one day) and choose a runner's bundle that includes various widgets relating to a runner's needs. Once you've chosen that bundle, you can then customize it and proceed to upload the bundle to your watch.
The watch has the capabilities to perform a variety of functions:
- heartrate monitor
- pace setter
- hydration indicator
- mileage tracker
- GPS route guide
- environmental level indicator (i.e. UV rays or air quality)
- mp3 device
- alarm
- weather
- messaging
- background/ decorative
- encouragment
Of the functions listed, we focused on:
- environmental level indicator/ weather
- pace setter
- heartrate monitor
And highlighted:
- encouragement functionalities
- GPS capabilities
view prototype development
