Our Social-Digital atelier was given the brief to design any product concept that relates to the word 'meter'. As a group of 3, we developed a playful prototype for Heat 'o' meter.
Heat 'o' Meter is a play on abrupt parking meters, as a fun way to signal energy use in the home. Using the design language and actions of a traditional parking meter, this product is made to encourage users to use less unnecessary energy by singling expiration time like a parking ticket.
The physical concept follows that of traditional parking meters, which have an abrupt tone and language to alert users that their time has run out. Taking the same embodiment and negative connotations, we made it relevant to energy use at home. The product works by using this abrupt 'expired' signal to make you aware of when your heating has been on for the allocated time you gave it, to make more of a statement and to raise awareness of just how often you use power in your home.
It was a playful concept, fully programmed using Arduino to make the expired timer work, and hand made from wood and 3D printed components.
