La Selce
Smart kitchen controll knob for hidden induction stoves with a sense of freedom and passion for cooking.
Project type: Master Group Project
Duration: 20 weeks
Tasks: Electronic systems design, cognitive and physical ergonomics system, tolerances, modelling for manufacturability
Concept Appassionato for Boretti by Jeroen van Rijnberk
PASSIONE IN CUCINA
Starting point for the project was the Appassionato concept for Boretti. The new kitchen counter included hidden induction stovetops under a marble surface. Being able to place your pans anywhere gave a sense of freedom while cooking.
Passione in Cucina (passion in the kitchen) was the driver behind this project. It gave shape to the initial concept and subject of this project: the embodiment of the kitchen control unit.
LIKE A GAS STOVE
The key challenges for this project were defined through combining the organisation’s and users’ needs. These were uncovered through user tests with initial prototypes
Fitting product interaction and aesthetics
Cognitive ergonomic design
Manufacturability
FIT THE ITALIAN PASSION
Numerous rounds of prototyping interactions led to an interaction that fits the italian passion for cooking. The cycle of drawing, building and testing allowed us to explore a plethora of looks and interactions.
SMOOTH ON THE TURN
The resistance the knob gives the cognitive perception of weight and groundedness. Extensive prototyping an testing for this perception has been done.
CONTROL WITH INSTINCT
To reach the intuitive design required for a quick and natural way of cooking a combination of haptic, visual and auditory feedback is designed.
FEELING THE BUMPS
To allign the rotation of the outer ring with the grooves and the segments of the user interface haptic feedback using magnets was implemented. Prototyping for the magnetic strength was done to finetune the haptic profile.
PREMIUM QUALITY, LOW COST
This high quality luxury product is set to be produced in collaboration with existing partners of Boretti. Close contact with said partners efficiently led to low cost production, even with the product’s low quantity production size.
ITS IN THE DETAILS
A multitude of features are used to improve the manufacturability, regidity and ease of assembly. A single two-part injection molded core holds all other components together
DURABLE AND REPAIRABLE
Besides adding features and subassemblies to increase first and third party repairability, rigorous testing was done to validate the watertightness, fall and heat resistance of la Selce. Using multiple accurate prototypes (material and tolerance wise) durability is ensured.
All videos are made in collaboration with Art van Zuuk