Haptic Hockey Trainer
For my artefact, I decided that some sort of device to help players in New Zealand train would be suitable to try bridge the current skill gap between The Blacksticks and other international hockey teams. I started by creating a systems map of the current pathway a beginner hockey player in New Zealand would take to make it into the Blacksticks team. This allowed me to identify different areas that could be improved and provided a good look into where my artefact would be most beneficial.
System map of current pathway
This lead me to come up with four main ideas that would be implemented around the NZ Development team area. The four ideas that I narrowed down to are
- Robotic Swing Trainer
Similar to the robotic golf swing trainer. Moves the stick in ways that forces you to have "perfect" technique.
- Treadmill Simulator
Already sort of exists but one designed around hockey to allow athletes to experience high level game pace. Will force players to train at a high intensity. Would also allow players to virtually compete, like Zwift for cyclists.
- Haptic Hockey trainer
Uses haptics to simulate real life touches. Like what is used in gaming controllers (Playstation 5). Uses force feedback to create game like movement of the stick in your hands. Like technology that powers the force feedback in racing sim wheels.
- A "Smart" Ball
A ball that moves at match pace for certain scenarios on its own.
From these I decided that the haptic hockey training aid idea would be the best. Not only is it the most achievable for me to design and prototype but it would also be the most viable option when it comes to producing them at a semi large scale. The idea, unlike two of the others would allow any player to purchase and use the device. It also provides more flexibility when it comes to using the device in terms of location, transportation etc.
Next I had to work on what the device would look like. I was a bit restricted when it came to designing the device as the parts that it use have set shapes and I intended for the device to be put in the handle of a hockey stick. This meant that it had to be a specific size and shape.
Sketches of the parts and how they work with a stick
For the main haptic motor I want the housing to be made out of carbon fibre. Carbon fibre is a common material used in the making of almost all high end hockey sticks. Carbon fibre is ideal because not only is it extremely strong but more importantly it is light weight. This means that the device will effect the feel of the stick in your hands as little as possible. As for the grip of the device I chose to use chamois grip. After some research and experience using all types of grips in games, chamois made the most sense.
Eab tape is my personal favourite when it comes to hockey stick grips due to its wet weather performance and thin feel. The only problem with this grip when it comes to my artefact is that because it is very thin, the haptic technology underneath will be vulnerable to damage.
Chamois is a good option for the grip component of the artefact as it works very well in wet conditions, provides a good amount of cushion to protect the technology that will be underneath and in the sticks handle as well as being thin enough to allow the haptic and force feedback technology to work and be felt by the user underneath. This is why it is the option I am selecting to use for the artefact.
Rubber hockey grip would provide great cushioning and protection for the technology as well as good performance in wet weather. The only poor thing about this option is that because the grip is quite thick, the haptics would be much weaker through the grip than other options.
I made a mood board for the aesthetic I want the artefact to carry. I wanted it to be modern but not over the top that it would become dated really fast.
Mood Board
I also made a low fidelity prototype to help me visualise the device in a stick. This helps with proportions and sizing, allowing me to make any visual adjustments that might not have been obvious earlier on in the design process.
Paper and polystyrene prototype
My final artefact came out well. I unfortunately couldn't make the haptic feedback motor housing out of the actual materials as I am unable to source them. The rest of the artefact is realistic however. For some reason the images are coming out sideways and I couldnt find a way to flip them.
This image shows a view of the end of the stick, where the device would be inserted
