Chalkbot

ChalkBot was developed for the Integrated Product Development (IPD) class at the University of Michigan, a comprehensive program that immerses students in the full product development lifecycle. This project was tailored for recently retired individuals aged 55-75, addressing their need for outdoor engagement and creativity. ChalkBot is a compact, portable robot equipped with ChalkSport and ChalkArt features, transforming any space into a sports court or artistic canvas. ChalkSport encourages physical activity, while ChalkArt provides an outlet for creative expression through personalized chalk designs.

In IPD, cross-functional teams from Michigan’s Art & Design, Business, Engineering, and Information schools operate as independent companies, competing within a specific product category. Our team’s focus on versatility and fulfilling retirement lifestyles earned ChalkBot first place overall in simulated trade shows at the course's culmination. This recognition reflects ChalkBot’s success in meeting key product criteria—desirability, feasibility, and viability—as we navigated customer discovery, technical development, and marketing.

ChalkBot is a compact and innovative robot, designed to inspire outdoor play and creativity. Lightweight and easily portable, this device is perfect for transforming any space into an area for sports or artistic expression with its two hallmark features, ChalkSport and ChalkArt. ChalkSport prints perfect chalk lines on various surfaces, quickly converting any area into a sports court or game boundary, while ChalkArt allows users to transfer any picture or text onto the ground as line art or a stencil, ideal for creating detailed murals or stencils to be filled in. Unlike existing chalk tools, ChalkBot prints highly customized chalk designs. The easy-to-use companion app eliminates back-bending from the process, making chalk art and play accessible to folks of all ages.

For this project, the mission was to explore and develop a product tailored to empower adults over 40 in their engagement with nature. Given this problem statement, the project team conducted customer discovery interviews to identify what could contribute to enhancing physical and/or mental well-being while fostering a sustainable habit of outdoor activities. Through thorough analysis and thoughtful consideration, ChalkBot was created as a response to the diverse needs and preferences of our target demographic, ultimately promoting a healthier and more fulfilling lifestyle for adults over 40.

In this project, I served as the creative lead, collaborating closely with the product design lead to develop a user-friendly aesthetic model. Additionally, I worked alongside the UX designers to establish a wireframe and design assets for both the website and the application.