Kobalt® Hand Tools (NPD)
In collaboration with Lowes®, I led new product development on next-generation tools for the Kobalt® private brand — leveraging ergonomics, a performance-driven design ethos, and an emphasis on improving user experience to generate new IP for the Kobalt® brand and bring innovation to the hands of their customers.
-
Kobalt® Performance Screwdrivers
A proprietary ergonomic handle design was developed to improve tool purchase, accommodate multiple grip positions to account for task variability, and ultimately maximize torque transfer from the user whilst preventing slippage during operation.
In addition to aiding usability and performance, the faceted and helical form language of the handle design also embodies the Kobalt visual brand with the hexagon at its core — differentiating the Kobalt® Performance Screwdrivers from its competitors through both function and form.
Relevant Skills: New Product Development (NPD), Industrial Design, Design for Manufacturing (DFM), Ergonomic Testing & Design, Human Factors, User Research & User-centered Design, Functional Prototyping, CMF, CAD, Project Management
(*Image: US PATENT US20230116952A1)
-
Kobalt® Performance Screwdrivers (Cont.)
Additional Features: Color-coded hi-visibility bands and laser-etched call-outs for quick tool identification at a glance, TPU over-mold for improved handle grip and comfort, Hex bolster integrated into the shalf for heavy-duty and high-torque applications.
The handle geometry was parametrically designed to be adapted for a range of driver sizes and sold as a set.
Relevant Skills: New Product Development (NPD), Industrial Design, Design for Manufacturing (DFM), Ergonomic Testing & Design, Human Factors, User Research & User-centered Design, Functional Prototyping, CMF, CAD, Project Management
(*Image courtesy of Lowe's Companies, Inc.)
-
Kobalt® Performance Screwdrivers (Cont.)
Listed as ‘Primary Inventor’: US PATENT US20230116952A1: https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/81/9d/bc/22fc38fbeb30fe/US20230116952A1.pdf
Relevant Skills: New Product Development (NPD), Industrial Design, Design for Manufacturing (DFM), Ergonomic Testing & Design, Human Factors, User Research & User-centered Design, Functional Prototyping, CMF, CAD, Project Management
(*Image courtesy of Lowe's Companies, Inc.)
-
Kobalt® V.1 Utility Knife
The form-factor of the Kobalt® Utility Knife was reinvisioned (similar to that of the Kobalt® Performance Screwdriver) with the primary goal of improving the ergonomic design and usability of the tool.
Relevant Skills: New Product Development (NPD), Industrial Design, Design for Manufacturing (DFM), Mechanical Engineering (ME), Ergonomic Testing & Design, Human Factors, User Research & User-centered Design, Functional Prototyping, CMF, CAD, Project Management
(*Image courtesy of Lowe's Companies, Inc.)
-
Kobalt® V.1 Utility Knife (Cont.)
The upper contour of the knife handle was designed based on human factors studies and the natural coutour of the hand — supporting the arch of the forefinger and palm during precision cutting tasks, improving comfort, and reducing fatigue over extended use. Ergonomic grooves were integrated into the mid-section of the handle geometry to improve tool purchase during heavy-duty and high-resistance cutting tasks.
Relevant Skills: New Product Development (NPD), Industrial Design, Design for Manufacturing (DFM), Mechanical Engineering (ME), Ergonomic Testing & Design, Human Factors, User Research & User-centered Design, Functional Prototyping, CMF, CAD, Project Management
(*Image courtesy of Lowe's Companies, Inc.)