https://etd.cput.ac.za/handle/20.500.11838/2447 Wed, 15 Apr 2026 13:22:33 GMT 2026-04-15T13:22:33Z https://etd.cput.ac.za/handle/20.500.11838/3843 Title: Adaptation of soft robotics technologies for use in the industrial design of medical products Authors: Wilton, Adrian Ingemar Abstract: In the field of medical product design, available technologies and materials limit the extent to which a product can be developed to best suit the end-users' needs. Certain parameters restrict the design of soft, intelligent devices that require actuation or the need to adapt to the user during use. Conventional designs for medical devices which are in direct contact with the user, predominantly involve rigid plastic or metal components that may be padded with foams or rubber. In order to drive motion in such devices, the options available are either motors (servo, mechanical, etc.) or piston-type drivers that are either pneumatic or hydraulic. This results in complex mechanical designs that are often heavy and costly to manufacture. If designers and engineers are to develop lightweight and more ergonomic products, alternative technologies should be explored, understood and tested. This research project outlines soft robotics technologies (SRTs) in the robotics industry that could be adapted for use by industrial designers to develop soft, lightweight, intelligent and adaptable medical products. One group of SRTs, namely, electro-active polymers (EAPs), has been chosen for in-depth investigation in this study. The features of this SRT are outlined in detail and potential applications explored and discussed. A practical study was conducted with a group of Industrial Design students from the School of Design, Hunan University, China. The results of this focus group are presented and discussed, to show how the use of SRTs is not only feasible, but also allows for novel and innovative designs to be generated. A multi-method qualitative research methodology was followed, making use of two real-world medical design case studies to define the research scope. Data collection methods included document analysis, interviews, questionnaires and a participatory design focus group. The findings demonstrate the viability for the use of SRTs, specifically EAPs, to actuate elements of a device/product and allow for solutions that are compact, lightweight and superior to available alternatives. The limitations of this study are contained to the SRTs discussed, with a focus on actuation, in the context of industrial design. Although the technology has broad applications, this study focuses specifically on the use of SRTs in medical product design. Description: Thesis (MTech (Industrial Design))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2022 Sat, 01 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMT https://etd.cput.ac.za/handle/20.500.11838/3843 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z https://etd.cput.ac.za/handle/20.500.11838/3842 Title: An exploration of industrial design education in sustainable manufacturing : the case of South Africa, China and Norway Authors: Vlok, Jacobus Christiaan Abstract: This research study explores how and where Product design can develop as part of a responsive curriculum and reveals the actors that play a role in the social practice of sustainable Product design, post-education. The investigation focuses on how the key areas of sustainability are currently explored in curriculum and learning and teaching practices at three universities situated in South Africa, China and Norway. This exploration gave insights into the current practices but also highlighted the gaps identified. The conclusions offered an argument for a stronger relationship between Product design teaching and the emphasis on all the variables that will influence sustainable manufacturing. The study intended to elucidate current university practices in offering Product design students sound knowledge and skills so that they will be able to change public and industry perceptions after their studies. The research was motivated as a result of participation in the DesignBRICS project. This project explored various aspects pertaining to sustainability, and sustainable manufacturing was the focus of this research study. The research aimed to identify how sustainable manufacturing is referenced and encouraged in Product design higher education curricula at the participating universities from South Africa, China and Norway. A constructivist paradigm underpinned this qualitative study, and the epistemological stance was interpretivist. As a project participant of DesignBRICS, the author contributed interpretive concepts from an auto-ethnographical position. In addition, the author's reflections, questionnaire responses from research participants, and literature data were used to inform the research. The findings identified how sustainability and sustainable manufacturing is currently interpreted and practised at the three universities. The key findings suggest that sustainability and sustainable manufacturing will be best presented and taught through the concept of holistic practice, placing the focus on the development of the key elements of sustainability, namely societal, economic and environmental pillars as all-embracing. Description: Thesis (MTech (Industrial Design))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2022 Sat, 01 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMT https://etd.cput.ac.za/handle/20.500.11838/3842 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z https://etd.cput.ac.za/handle/20.500.11838/3090 Title: A Biomimicry and sustainable product-service systems (S.PSS) approach to Design for Sustainability: a study in higher education in Industrial Design Authors: Raymond, Corbin Edlin Abstract: In this research study Biomimicry and sustainable product-service systems (S.PSS) are explored in order to examine the Design for Sustainability (DfS) paradigm through a set of eight guidelines. It is argued that Biomimicry holds the blueprint to a design strategy that is more environmentally sustainable. This research study demonstrates that sustainability’s triple bottom line can be achieved by combining Biomimicry’s potential for environmental sustainability with S.PSS’s potential to foster social and economic sustainability. The study describes a behavioural change towards sustainability and proposes design education as a strategy to nurture sustainable design praxis. It is shown that the sustainable design praxis of student groups leads to behavioural shifts towards sustainability through design education. Industrial design students at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology in South Africa engaged in a short course on DfS and their design outcomes provided the data sets that have been analysed through inductive thematic analysis. The course was used as a case study from which theory was built. This specific research approach is called theory building from case studies. The appendices are included to supply additional evidence of where and how the data collection happened, and provides depth and insight into the projects. The richness and scope of the research study is supported by the appendices - it is for this reason that the rather sizable addition was included. It is through the thematic analysis that a set of eight guidelines were developed from the data and measured against a framework of critical citizenship in order to evaluate the societal behavioural shift to a more holistic approach to DfS. This thesis draws on existing fields of study within the DfS paradigm and integrates several fields of study in order to contribute to the discourse of a holistic approach to DfS. Description: Thesis (MTech (Industrial Design))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2019 Tue, 01 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMT https://etd.cput.ac.za/handle/20.500.11838/3090 2019-01-01T00:00:00Z https://etd.cput.ac.za/handle/20.500.11838/2469 Title: Universal design in automobiles : an investigation into simulators for differently abled drivers Authors: Coetzee, Gerhardus Johannes Abstract: Simulators are used for many different purposes, among them physical rehabilitation and the training of differently abled learner-drivers. In South Africa, however, the extent of the latter type of simulators is limited to paraplegic learner-drivers only. The reason is that locally sourcing the necessary equipment to adapt commercial simulators for the training of differently abled learner-drivers presents a problem. The concept of Universal Design stipulates that as many individuals as possible should be able to use a particular product. Consequently, a simulator for differently abled learner-drivers should accommodate as many such persons as possible. However, applying Universal Design in the area of design researched for the present dissertation adds further complexity due to the unique nature of the physical limitations experienced by individuals. A differently abled driver puts an extreme constraint on the design of a product - and becomes a limiting user. Nevertheless, this dissertation adopts a Universal Design approach to investigate the possibility of designing such a simulator in South Africa, as well as its viability. A limiting user was included in the research to represent the bigger differently abled community. Field research was carried out by implementing a Participatory Design process. Furthermore, a team was selected according to a Meta-Design mind-set, including professionals from engineering, clinical psychology and occupational therapy. The leader and researcher was an industrial designer. Description: Thesis (MTech (Industrial Design))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016. Fri, 01 Jan 2016 00:00:00 GMT https://etd.cput.ac.za/handle/20.500.11838/2469 2016-01-01T00:00:00Z