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Student Designer
University Product Description and Principal Function(s) Squad is an indoor positioning system device that allows a firefighter to identify current location in reference with other units and command centre outside the building. The device also gives a surrounding map for the user, drawn by a sonar system inside the device, providing vital information about the area where visibility may be next to nothing. By working together with the command centre and other units, the Squad positioning system will help firefighters to optimise their performance in life-threatening situation. All incident data are recorded and can be reviewed later on for reference or improvement training purposes.Why does the product represent design excellence and why do you believe it deserves an Australian Design Award? Firefighters by nature possess a high degree of risk in the performance of their duties in an effort to save lives of others. Fire in high-rise buildings is possibly one of the most challenging incidents for firefighters. Positioning problems may arise from complex building layout. A Firefighting team within a building has the chance of separation and getting lost inside an unfamiliar location. The possibility increases greatly with higher risk when collapsed structure blocks corridors and main hallways of a building.Squad positioning system addresses these problems for firefighters. The unit provides a personal mini-map for the user by continuously scanning the environment using the sonar system. The unit also displays the position of other units available around the area. The signal of the first Squad unit is relayed by the integrated repeater of the second Squad unit to extend the range and to transfer the information gathered by each units, rendering greater collective information that can be displayed in each units and the command centre. The command centre can assist any Squad unit that needs assistance with direction through radio. The collected map can be overlaid with gathered satellite images or building floorplans when available. The unpredictable and challenging environment of firefighting situation requires the need of durable equipments for the firefighters to rely on. Each Squad unit body is made out of touch polyetheretherketone (PEEK) polymer that has an extraordinary mechanical property, and great hydrolysis, high temperature and chemical resistance. A 7000-series aluminium carabiner frame is insert-moulded in the body to provide a more rigid structure of the unit. An over-moulding of fluorosilicone is appended to further protect the unit from impact, and to seal the unit in aqueous environment, complying the intrinsic safety standard of fire equipments. The sturdy carabiner frame allows a squad unit to be attached anywhere on the fire suit that is convenient for the user, allowing a greater flexibility when needed in such unpredictable situation. The screen shows clear and simple information for the firefighter by displaying a straightforward map of the surrounding environment and the location of other units. The map can be zoomed in or out if needed by a simple switch on the unit. A Squad unit is ergonomically designed for use by firefighters with their ensemble of protective equipment. The form provides a tactile and intuitive presence of the unit, even with the thick firefighting gloves to allow perceptible orientation when retrieved by the user. The interfaced is reduced to its simplest function without compromising on the performance of the product. The switch is easy and tactile to be operated with or without the firefighting gloves. All these features allow the Squad unit to help firefighters to perform more effectively by providing clear, simple and significant information to the user, without restricting their performance. |
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