Physical computing device
Chibitronics
I led mechanical R&D for a new physical computing device that would interface with Chibitronics’ paper circuit ecosystem. The goal was to create a product that was intuitive for children, robust enough for classrooms, and affordable for teachers—while solving reliability issues of previous products.
My work spanned concept development, CAD, 3D printing, iterative prototyping, and user testing, culminating in a compliant mechanism that provided consistent electrical connection. In later phases, I collaborated with electrical and production engineers to refine the design for manufacturability and cost, exploring injection-molded form factors and scalable assembly methods.
Across the project, I applied hands-on prototyping, creative problem solving, and a human-centered approach to make physical computing more accessible and engaging in the classroom. My work was central to the project securing a $1M commercialization grant.
Concept Sketches
I developed concept sketches to explore mechanisms and form factors, with a focus on usability, reliability, child ergonomics, classroom safety, and a friendly, approachable aesthetic.
Prototyping
The first round of prototyping focused on defining a mechanism that could deliver reliable electrical connections—a key weakness of the original product. I began with quick “paper prototypes” made from cardboard and off-the-shelf parts to test clipping actions and user interaction.
From there, I moved into CAD and 3D printed iterations. Through this process, I developed a compliant mechanism that adapted to uneven paper surfaces like cardboard, ensuring consistent electrical contact across all pins. User testing with educators and students showed significant improvements in reliability compared to the original Chibi Clip, and my work contributed to securing a $1M grant for commercialization.
Product Development
After the grant, I collaborated closely with an electrical engineer and a production engineer to refine the design for manufacturability, cost, and improved user experience. This included exploring form factors suitable for injection molding, integrating compliant conductive components into PCBs, and investigating scalable assembly methods such as wave soldering. We paired this with user research to refine usability and ensure the device would work in real classrooms.
The project is currently on hiatus due to funding changes, but the work demonstrated a clear pathway to a scalable, classroom-ready product that merged mechanical design, user research, and creative problem solving into a tangible, engaging STEM tool.