solar powered emergency & deep expedition backpack
virtual & email interviews
Due to the pandemic, my team conducted several virtual & email interviews with experts in the consumer fields we were focused on as well as mechanical experts to discuss our goals for the project.
We met with professionals in several different fields to get a better understanding of user’s needs in disaster relief and off-the-grid work. One of our most important interviews was with Ruben Brown, a FEMA External Affairs Officer. He shared with us that his teams in a disaster situation are only equipped with non-temperature controlled backpacks and hand-held ice coolers, which can often get in the way when officers are trying to reach disaster victims and distribute supplies.
breakdown of user spaces
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medical / disaster relief
• Providing a way for families and rescue teams to access emergency food, water, and medicine without having to carry around a heavy cooler with melted ice
• Avoid medical waste (throwing out vaccines) by offering a portable way to keep medicine at regulated temperatures
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off the grid expedition
• Ease of access to food and water while on long term or short term camping/hiking trips where users are off the grid
• Focus on users who work or live off the grid; fielding, scouting, and scientists
Final render of our solar-powered cooling backpack: Solara
Solar powered system
The exterior solar panel is protected by a frame built onto the face of the backpack. This way, our users can easily access the panel when needed, while also allowing it to collect power during the day. The front panel zips open to allow access to the internal cooling shelf storage.
An important process in our design was equipping the backpack with heavy duty padding as well as waist & chest straps. This backpack could be worn for most of the work day, and we specifically designed to accommodate these details for offsetting the weight of the bag.
Our final Solara model is defined by its structured, boxy form and front facing solar panel. The front flap zips open for access to the temperature-cooled storage shelves, with additional exterior side pockets for non-regulated temperature storage.
Disaster Relief Equipment
With Solara, rescue teams no longer need to haul heavy coolers of ice that will melt quickly. Solara offers a hands-free cooling storage solution for medical supplies, food, and water while rescue officers reach those who need help the most.
