Magnetic Phone Holder
HMW: Make using a phone while weight-lifting at the gym more accessible and convenient?
Project Type
Human-centered product design
Contribution
Sketching
User & performance testing
Prototype building
Timeline
April - June 2019
Tools
Pen & paper
CAD
Overview
Magnetic Phone Holder (MPH) is a device that enables users to keep their phones in their sight while weightlifting at the gym. It provides a quick and easy way to store a phone in a place that is away from immediate harm, but also close enough to be within one’s reach.
Challenge
How might we make using a phone while weight-lifting at the gym more accessible and convenient?
Solution
MPH is a small light-weight magnetic device that clasps phones of any size and attaches it to any magnetic surface. This device takes advantage of the fact that most weight machines at the gym are made of ferromagnetic materials.
Research
Initial
Through personal experiences and AEIOU observations, we observed people working out at on-campus and off-campus gyms. We investigated how and where gym goers keep their phones while working out. Some users left their phone on the floor, while others used various workarounds to store their phone as they workout or kept it in their pockets.
In addition, we prepared surveys and interviews to dive deeper into the problem. We asked questions about:
where they placed their phones
how often they used their phones while working out
how satisfied they were with where they kept their phone
what type of workout they usually did (running, weightlifting, yoga, etc.)
what type of headphones (wired or wireless)
We found that there have been several cases of phones getting damaged, “I broke a phone once when doing dumbbell bench, dropped the weight on the phone.” -Male, Age 25-34
Research results showing weightlifters having more problems with phone placements helped us narrow down our user group to weightlifters. After analyzing the results and responses of our surveys and interviews, we highlighted some key patterns and developed a user persona.
We researched existing solutions as well as existing patents, and created a table with product names, brand, price range, strengths, and weaknesses. This allowed us to hone the key requirements of our product:
Safe to use for the user’s mobile device
Unobtrusive to the user’s workout
Comfortable for the user
Easily accessible to the user during the workout
Stable
Light weight
Easy to remove
Durable to mishaps
Adjustable to various machines
Analysis
With our requirements in mind, we jumped into concept ideation, where I was able to come up with several different ideas and sketch them out. The initial ideas consisted of the following.
Attached Clip: The clip attaches the phone to the user’s clothes.
Phone Hanger: The hook of the design hangs on the large circular holes on poles of squat racks.
Phone Box: The band wraps around horizontal poles and protects the phone with a rectangular sturdy case.
Magnetic Popsocket: One side of the pop socket attaches to the phone while the other side sticks to the magnetic surface found in most weight lifting machines.
Ideation
We were then able to condense these ideas and sketches to prototype candidates which are listed below. We tested key features of the initial ideas and developed iterations.
Prototyping
Build & Test 1
Hook support: 3D printed semicircular part was designed to hold the two short sides of the phone. The phone was designed to lay horizontal while the hook grabbed a hole or edge on a machine.
Strap support: This prototype was made out of sheet metal, velcro, and black strap. The strap goes around a vertical pole and can be adjusted according to the width of the pole. The phone can be placed horizontally or vertically.
Magnetic support: Instead of manufacturing a popsocket, we created an attachment that could slide onto a popsocket. This 3D printed prototype was designed to attach to a popsocket on one side and have a magnet on the other side.
Hook support:
(-) Due to its fragileness, the prototype broke down before we could test it with the users
Strap support:
(+) It was adjustable to any column and allowed the phone to be placed horizontally or vertically.
(-) It was stable only 60 percent of the time we tested it.
(-) Users found it inconvenient.
Magnetic support:
(+): Magnets could hold the phone steady and phone calls could be placed comfortably.
(-): People didn’t entirely trust magnets because of their lack of stability.
Build & Test 2
Using neodymium magnets for stronger attachment and micro-suction cup tape for temporary attachment of the magnetic device to the phone, we created our second round of prototypes. We found out that magnets wrapped in electrical tape functioned better than magnets in 3D printed PLA.
Ultimately, we decided to user test with the magnets wrapped in black electrical tape and covered by micro-suction cup tape on both sides. It was a simplistic design that looked more aesthetically pleasing.
*The prototypes are arranged from oldest to newest from left to right.
From our user testing, I found out that the stability we were looking for was not present as a result of the weaker force between the phone and the device compared to the magnetic force between our device and the workout machine.
Going back to earlier prototypes, Hook Support and Strap Support, I decided to incorporate a clamp feature. Ultimately, the user test displayed that aesthetically, the micro suction prototype was preferred because it was smaller. However, the clamp prototype was more secure, gave a better sense of security to the users, and provided auditory feedback while attaching to a surface.
Through 13 prototypes and many user and performance testing, we created a final product that gave users the freedom to attach phones of any size to a workout machine without worrying about placing it on the floor where it is prone to getting damaged. The users can easily customize the position and location of their phone while weightlifting.
Conclusion
* This project was done with Ashwarya Jengi, Regina Morfin, and Jack Funk.