*Video editing, AI image generation (Midjourney), AI voiceover by teammates, most wiring and construction of the physical prototype by teammates
Our team was tasked with addressing the difficulties of hotel bed-making, with hotel housekeepers as our key stakeholders. Through user research and collaborative data collection across groups, we identified bed tucking as the primary cause of back pain and chose to focus on assisting rather than replacing housekeepers in this process.
LIFTY is designed to slide under the mattress and tuck bedsheets autonomously at each corner. It uses mecanum wheels for tight corner navigation and ball bearings on the mattress-facing surface for smooth movement. Touch sensors on its sides detect the housekeeper's grip, allowing them to guide the device with minimal effort - eliminating the need to bend, lift, and tuck repeatedly at each angle.
Iteration 1 & 2 - Early concepts focused on lifting the mattress and clamping it to secure the sheet during tucking. Iteration 1 used a flat platform while Iteration 2 introduced a scissor-lift for better stability - preferred as the flat platform required excessive clearance height when fully lowered.
A top-mounted sensor was added to track the housekeeper's position and move the device accordingly. However, we identified a key limitation: repositioning after lifting caused previously tucked sheets to come undone, making this approach counterproductive.
Other design decisions included a detachable ramp for easier replacement and storage, and a cushioned surface for users to apply downward pressure comfortably. The side-button locking mechanism was later flagged as unintuitive and ergonomically challenging under load.
The prototype uses an Arduino Uno with 3 motor drivers - 2 for the wheel pairs and 1 for the linear actuator. Directional buttons control both the side wheels and actuator height, with worm gear motors driving the wheels.
Module: Product Design Studio (PDS)