What is it?
A wet/dry vacuum has the ability to remove regular dry debris like sawdust and liquid like water from a flood in a single machine. Many functions require many attachments and a large degree of mobility. Our studio was tasked with the challenge of redesiging the vacuum from scratch. Our process began with a group research project into the usage experience and then sectioned off into individual design concepts.
How does it innovate?
Key innovations of the UPLIFT model I designed include: a lifting frame, a removable drum, discrete battery storage, a liquid release pedal, specifically designed wheels, and elastic side panels. The lifting feature and removeable drum were created to make cleaning easier by allowing users to make the drum level with their arms and above the height of traditional trash cans to make disposing debris one easy motion. The liquid release allows users to reduce the weight of the full machine drastically by removing the water weight. The elastic side panels hold every attachment that comes with the machine while using the elastic attachment to allow hands to reach the bottom of the storage bin unobstructed.
What is the impact?
The vacuum is intended to enable the common, but rarely addressed periphery members of the wet/dry vacuum market. Eldery craftsmen, single diy-ers, and first responders tending to natural disaster damage are occasional but important users that are rarely addressed. It is my belief that these users are likely to spend on a high quality product that makes their job exponentially easier, making them more likely to conduct projects in the future and stimulating their individual markets.