Kobalt® Performance Screwdrivers
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: Overview
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 courtesy of Lowe's Companies, Inc.)
-
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: Design Development Sketches
Development sketches illustrating ergonomic ‘zones’ — a core and distinguishing feature of the Kobalt® Performance Screwdrivers designed to ensure secure purchase of the tool for a variety of grip ‘signatures’ associated with common driving tasks.
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
-
Kobalt® Performance Screwdrivers: Design Development Sketches (Cont.)
Development sketches illustrating definition of the screwdriver handle geometry cross-section and proportions based on ergonomic studies.
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
-
Kobalt® Performance Screwdrivers: Ergonomic Prototypes
Iterative prototypes for ergonomic assessment of the Kobalt® Performance Screwdriver handle design — approx. two dozen prototypes were produced and tested prior to establishing the production design.
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
-
'Ergonomic Manual Driver' (US PATENT: US20230116952A1)
Listed as ‘Primary Inventor’ for ‘Ergonomic Manual Driver’: US PATENT US20230116952A1: https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/81/9d/bc/22fc38fbeb30fe/US20230116952A1.pdf
(*Image: US PATENT US20230116952A1) -
Kobalt® Performance Screwdrivers (Cont.)
(BELOW) Link to official product page and customer reviews.
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.)