Smart Paw

The purpose of the project was to carry out the development of a physical product from initial idea to a fully functioning concept, an Alfa product. The project aimed to give hands-on experience of the complete product development process, including design, surface modeling, construction, and prototyping, while ensuring manufacturability and technical feasibility.

The project required the design and development of a new computer mouse for a defined target group. The group selected children aged 9–13 as the target users, focusing on size, ergonomics, form, and color to meet their specific needs. Key constraints included designing a product suitable for mass production through plastic injection molding, ensuring appropriate draft angles, and integrating an existing circuit board from a reference mouse. The design process included sketching, physical modeling, 3D surface modeling in Alias, detailed construction in Catia V5, and 3D printing of a full-scale prototype with integrated electronics.

The project resulted in Smart Paw, an ergonomic mouse designed for elemantary school students. As digital tools increasingly shape the learning environment, children spend more time using computers at school. Smart Paw addresses the need for an ergonomic, age-adapted device while also aiming to spark interest in technology, a core subjet in the school curriculu,. The final outcome is a fully functioning prototype that demonstrates both technical viability and user-centered design, combining ergonomics, manufacturability, and inspiration into a cohesive product concept.