The development of the user interface of an innovative sanitation solution targeted at developing countries

Abstract

Case Study Impact Statement. Around the World, 2.6 billion people do not have access to a toilet, leading to the deaths of 1.5 million children per year through associated diseases (Kone, 2012). Novel approaches to this problem are needed that utilise the latest research and technology to safely deal with human waste in developing countries. These new sanitation methods have to be carefully developed to meet the needs and aspirations of their target audience. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation are seeking to address this with an international competition called the ‘Reinvent the Toilet Challenge’. The winning entries from different universities will employ the latest technology and research to safely deal with the waste and to utilise the potential of the waste. Executive Summary. This thesis will provide academics and new product development (NPD) practitioners with a strategic methodology for a design-thinking based approach to design products for developing countries. This transfer of knowledge will be possible by discussing potential methods before selecting the most appropriate to utilise with the use of a Case Study to give context. The research will commence with a scoping phase to show methods of gaining understanding of the wider problem followed by approaches to down select and synthesise this information into appropriate project requirements. When clear direction has been established, the implementation and development can take place to produce an outcome to meet the project requirements. Suitable validation techniques will be used to ensure the success of the research. The Case Study that will be used is focused on the development of a user interface for a new sanitation system for developing countries. The system is being developed by Cranfield University, as part of the Reinvent the Toilet Challenge funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.