Understanding Frugal Engineering Process for Frugal Innovations: Socially Conscious Designs for Homeless Individuals, A Case Study

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a case study regarding understanding frugal engineering design and process methodology through the fabrication of wearable tent-jackets for the protection of homeless individuals. Frugal innovations are being investigated for socially conscious products, but an understanding of frugal engineering methodology remains unexplored and is the focus of this research. Multiple socio-economic drivers are resulting in a lack of access to basic human needs such as housing, healthcare, etc. across the globe. Frugal engineering presents an equitable and practical engineering approach to address these challenges and merits exploring a methodology for innovations. In this paper, an origami-based design approach was employed to create a functional prototype of a tent for shelter that can be morphed into a wearable weather protection jacket. We call it a “wearable tent”. The prototype was successfully fabricated using a reusable material that is used abundantly in the construction industry. The functional prototype was tested for its efficacy and effectiveness in terms of weight, strength, and ease of switching between the two configurations. The results suggest a potential model that could be explored and applied for socially conscious engineering design solutions for such severely resource-constrained cases for disadvantaged communities with future potential for digitally disadvantaged enterprises.