Feedback for my Product Design Project

Ben Maxwell · Post by **Ben Maxwell** » 28 Oct 2018, 15:17

Hey everyone, I'm a year 13 Product Design student from Okehampton college and I'm currently working on a project to innovate the design of courier delivery supplies and would appreciate feedback, I observed a range of delivery couriers and their supplies and the delivery trolleys used by Royal Mail stood out to me as I noticed a local postman struggling to use one, specifically struggling with the brake which appeared to simply be a rod with a rubber end. This was one of the more basic and light duty courier trolleys with what appeared to be two bags attached side by side to each other and two wheels, and I noticed how there are much larger ones to hold more contents.

With research I've gathered from an article for example - I can see how security and vandalism can be an issue with anyone simply stealing the mail within the trolley when the user is turned away, so far I've developed the concept of an ID verification system with a keycard and even proximity sensors and automatic logging of each action and at what time to ensure the trolley is locked and secure when the user is away from it with magnets for example, although it is merely a concept at this current time I believe it could save time through shifts and make deliveries faster as there will be no need for manual locking, as well as more secure in multiple ways.

I would much appreciate any form of feedback on this idea or any personal issues with the supplies anyone has, such as any functions or materials or even if previous disbanded courier supplies worked any better, and even how you'd think they could be solved or improved as this would help a lot with my project work and as you would obviously have more of an idea of how the supplies work and how you use them than I do. Thanks a lot for reading this and I hope to get a reply.

clashcityrocker · Post by **clashcityrocker** » 28 Oct 2018, 15:33

The lightweight trolley has no brake as far as I know.
The postman should never be more than a minute away from it while it is left at the end of a drive for example.

The extra security you have suggested seem unnecessary. We are very vulnerable and if anyone really wanted to steal the mail they could do it while the postman was there as we are told not to be heroes.

Ben Maxwell · Post by **Ben Maxwell** » 28 Oct 2018, 17:00

Thanks for the reply and thanks for the insight, so if the postman shouldn't fight to prevent the theft, would you think extra security for the trolley would potentially prevent the theft itself? If the bag/box was to stay locked whenever the postman is a certain distance from the trolley the postman could simply stay away and the suspect would be unable to open the bag?

Also would you think the lightweight trolley could actually be improved with a brake?

Woody Guthrie · Post by **Woody Guthrie** » 28 Oct 2018, 17:29

The lightweight trolley doesn't need a brake since its not really designed for use on steep hills and even then it's easy to turn it sideways.

A security system may have applications for the larger HCT which does have a locking mechanism but relies on human interaction. Something incorporating the PDA proximity may work or even a simple fob design automatic lock like a car key would work.

Spigot bearing · Post by **Spigot bearing** » 28 Oct 2018, 21:53

Nothing will stop someone picking up the lightweight trolley and chucking it in the boot.
Even a couple of people could easily lift a HCT into the back of a van.

Postie45 · Post by **Postie45** » 29 Oct 2018, 08:18

for lightweight trolleys, as someone mentioned, we should never be far away from them as they could potentially just be carried away anyway, so any functions regarding the locking of the bags for these is kinda redundant. Theyre basically adapted golf trolleys, and i dont see how a brake would be helpful unless you completely redesigned the LWTs. I think theft of these, although can happen is relatively low so maybe trying to fix a problem that isnt there.
For the larger, securer trolleys a system where we could just hit a button and it would lock would be best as we can be away from those for a certain amount of time. For unlocking maybe a 4 digit number code would suffice on a keypad, or you can implement the magnet system you mention. Maybe you could add a feature where it would auto lock after 2-3 minutes or so of the trolley not being moved if the postie had forgot to manually lock it.
I think the biggest thing we`d ask for is something robust, that has a smooth roll with nice tyres that dont jerk around too much on pavements. The light weight trolleys do break quite often.

postslippete · Post by **postslippete** » 29 Oct 2018, 20:01

Will this courier trolley have a motor and be operated like a Segway?? Because thats the only way you are going to make our deliveries faster!

How about a design to keep the mail dry in wet weather?? Its a source of many customer complaints and one thing that our company are striving to reduce because complaints cost our business money.

Marshamp11 · Post by **Marshamp11** » 29 Oct 2018, 21:01

postslippete wrote:Will this courier trolley have a motor and be operated like a Segway?? Because thats the only way you are going to make our deliveries faster!

How about a design to keep the mail dry in wet weather?? Its a source of many customer complaints and one thing that our company are striving to reduce because complaints cost our business money.

Always tell my customers that complain about there mail being wet to phone the manager at the DO to request a special instruction to not deliver there mail when it is raining.

Ben Maxwell · Post by **Ben Maxwell** » 09 Jan 2019, 10:44

Thank you for all of the feedback, it's helped my project a lot. I'm now designing concept models with CAD software but I still need to know a couple of things for better feasibility. If anyone could simply let me know how the storage layout is constructed within the HTC unit, for example, are the letters and mail etc organised in sections specific to individual addresses? can you describe the sections if there are any? Or is all the mail just simply put in the box or bag to sort yourself? And what exactly gets stored in the extra bag below it that would be much appreciated.

Killoffs · Post by **Killoffs** » 09 Jan 2019, 20:14

Ben, why not pop along to your local delivery office and ask very nicely if you can shadow someone on a trolley walk?

Ask to get in early enough to see some of the prep work and bundling up, as well as then accompanying the Postie on some, or all if you're brave enough, of their walk. Maybe ask to visit midweek sometime so you can see first hand how every single square inch of the tardis-like trolley is used to capacity and how the Postie organises the bundles and packets.

A bit of first hand experience would get you extra marks, wouldn't it?