IRest V8, a smart massage chair developed by the Intelligent Human-centered Innovation Lab at Nottingham Ningbo China Beacons of Excellence Research and Innovation Institute (CBI), won Silver A’ Design Award. Led by Xu Sun, Professor in Industrial Design and Manufacture, the lab is grounded in the field of Human-Computer-Environment Interaction. To study human behaviour and evaluate the use of systems in realistic environments, it carries out interdisciplinary research on AI, man-machine interaction, multi-sensor fusion, physical ergonomics, cognitive ergonomics, etc. The award-winning massage chair is a typical example of customized user-centred products.

Human-centred design: to lie flat healthily

The iRest V8 massage chair is a complex intelligent product that integrates recreational functions and health management, including remote senior care and online medical consultation. With a cloud platform and sensors, it can collect and evaluate the user’s physiological data and provide the most suitable services. To satisfy user demands, special functions such as hand-simulated massage, air purification, and Chinese medicine hot compress are developed. A flexible and scalable guide rail, wireless charging port and Ionizer are also equipped to enhance user experience. The four designers were all Product Design and Manufacturing (PDM) undergraduate students at UNNC, three of whom are now PhD students at UNNC. The key institute-industry cooperative project is highly praised by the participants as it provides a chance for them to complete market surveys and communicate with enterprises.

Survey and Communication make design mature

Ze Chen - UG student at PDM “We base our design on months of market and user surveys and work closely with engineers from iRest on every process. It helps us learn about how to launch a product in the business world. The award is a recognition of the design as well as our first cooperation with iRest. I believe that we will benefit more from future cooperation.”

Practice and overall quality

Yifan Kang, PhD student at PDM“The project is a great chance of practice, from which I realize that product design requires technical and industrial expertise in addition to aesthetic perception. Only in this way could a product be valuable and practical in manufacturing.”

Insight into user demand and new technologies

Jiming Bai, PhD student at PDM “The project shows me the significance of user-centred design and applications of new technologies. Our product integrates physiological sensors and machine learning algorithms, which turn a traditional massage tool into a home healthcare centre. The key to valuable product innovation lies in insight into user demand and embracing new technologies.” CBI is committed to carrying out diversified institute-industry cooperation, building high-level joint laboratories, conducting research on cutting-edge technologies and empowering industrial transformation. Professor Sun said, “Our team is professional and experienced in product design and innovation. I believe that through long-term cooperation, we will have more opportunities with our business partner in product development, market expansion and resource sharing.”