Smartification Furniture Manufacturing: A Furniture Prototype with Thermal-Based Sensors (Visions and Challenges)

Abstract

Considering the swift advancement of technology paralleling the industrial revolution, Industry 4 and Industry 5 have emerged. The industry's developing focus has shifted beyond merely incorporating technical and interactive components. Concern for human beings and user's well-being has become a fundamental aspect of the furniture industry. This study proposes the manufacturing of an interactive furniture component that can be produced with limited skills. This prototype of smart furniture, utilizing existing materials, enhances safety and improves the security health of the users in the environment. The product is a living room table that produces a light warning when a thermal object, which may pose a risk of external heat to the user and occupants, is detected. This device is designed for consumers requiring continuous assistance, specifically children, the elderly, and the deaf. This will enable them to integrate into family dynamics without the need for a caregiver to alert them to potential hazards. The light warning followed international design guidelines, using red for severe heat and blue for extreme cold. The study provides a strategic design framework that assists the industry in developing interactive furniture production. This methodology also provides a development concept for common pre-manufactured furniture and techniques for incorporating interactive features. The study encountered multiple problems in practical implementation, the foremost being the lack of existing industrial design models. We encountered logistical challenges with the availability of raw materials and the compatibility among the industrial service provider, the furniture designer, and the techie tasked with integrating the interactive component.