Freeplay Ranger Portable Radio - Truly Portable Radio
Freeplay Baygen Ranger AM/FM Solar/Crank Radio
History
The concept of a wind up radio was developed by inventor Trevor Baylis, in response to the need to provide an accessable means of communication to areas of Africa, where access to electricity is not widespread ("About Trevor Baylis", n.d.,para.3). In 2002, over half a billion people lived without electricity in Sub-Saharan Africa do not have access to electricity. (Mbongaya Ivo, 2008)
The Freeplay Radio 2 was developed in 1996, Intended for a more consumer oreintated market. Following a BBC documentary, the concept was qucikly embraced by the commercial market. The Ranger was introduced in 2001 using the "Personal Power" concept developed for the original design ("Freeplay Energy Uk", n.d. para. 2).
I chose to study the Freeplay Ranger Portable Radio, as it is a product which uses and innovative technology has benefitted people around the world, and was invented in response to a need, rather than a commercial oppourtunity. I have owned one of these products for several years, and find it very useful when a source of electricity is not easily available, such as when camping, or in the garden.
The main selling point of the product is the renewable energy source, and the freedom it allows the user as does not need to be plugged in to recharge, or for batteries to be carried. This Product seems aimed at the outdoors market, with most of the media aurrounding the product relating to its uses for barbeques and camping, where an electricty supply is not readily available. This is supported by the products rugged and weatherproof design.
Product Design Principles
1. Minimise information content for the user.
"Everything should be as simple as possible, but not simpler - Albert Einstein," This statement reflects the situation where the the user wishes to find the product simple to use, but without compromising the functionality. Getting this balance right is an important factor in product design, especially so in electronic products, where the asthetics often play a lesser role than functionality and user friendlyness. According to a servey by Accenture, 95% of returned electrical goods are not faulty, with 68% either not meeting customer expectations, lacking functionality, or are too conufusing to use. (Fruhlinger, 2008)
The unit has several different charging methods, which may initially cause confusion to users. However, the unit takes advantage of whichever of its charging mechanisms is providing most energy at that time, and does not require an input from the user to select the charging method. If positioned in direct sunlight the solar panel provides enough energy for the radio to play constantly.
The interface is easy to use, and is very similar to many other products. The inputs to the unit are simple and well designed, with an on/off button, and dials for volume and tuning, as would be expected on any radio of a similar size.
2. Maintain Independance of functional requirements
The functional requirements of the radio are not compromised by the addition of the renewable energy charging mechanisms. The Ranger can be seen to offer improved functionality as the radio need not rely on access to electricity or batteries, so can be used where other radios cannot.
The product has the basic features one would expect from a portable radio, although several combined radios and torches are now available at a similar cost. When it was orignally released, the Ranger was one the first commercally available wind up radios. The Ranger has recently been superceeded by the
EyeMax WB 2009 model.
Impact on quality
The sound quality is not as good as could be expected from a higher specification, more expensive Hi-fi system, but compares favorably with products of a similar cost. The cost is comparable with similar portable radios with charged or powered by a conventional AC supply. The Solar and wind up charging mechanisms give the product an advantage of saving the customer money on electricy bills or batteries.
The Radio contains a rechargable Nickle Metal Hydride battery, which can be recharged by a conventional AC/DC adapter, or can be charged by winding a crank on the rear of the unit, or a solar panel on the top of the unit. This provides the user with the oppourtunity to use renewable energy. This aspect is further enforced by the rugged impact resistant plastic, and weatherproof casing, which reassure the user than the product can be used in conditions where they would not take or use a traditional radio. The user interface button and dials feel durable and give the impression of robustness and quality.
"The power mechanism is tested to 500 000 input cycles, and the internal batteries are tested up to 10 000 self-charge cycles – or over 5000 listening hours. Green energy - a sustainable product that’s built to last." (Little Green Machines, n.d.) Practially this means the product lasts for as long as the user wishes it to. Personally, my unit has been used most days for several years, and has not suffered any problems.
Impact on Price
As a result of the development of the wind up radio, the concept being to produce a radio suitable for poorer areas of South Africa, the system is reasonably cheap to build. The Ranger is a more commercial product, designed to compete in the more competitive portable radio market. The costs of the system are relatively low, and have the added bonus that the customer does not have to pay to charge the radio, meaning that once a customer has bought a radio, they would not have to pay any running costs in electricty or batteries for the entire lifetime of the product.
References
About Trevor Baylis. (n.d.) Retrieved on May 2, 2009 from Innovative Technologies website.
http://windupradio.com/trevor.htm
Freeplay Energy UK (n.d.) Retrieved on May 1, 2009 from Freeplay Energy Group Website.
http://www.freeplayenergy.co.uk/history.php
Fruhlinger, J (2008). 95 percent of all returned gadgets still work, Americans don't read manuals. Engadget. Retrieved on May 2, 2009 from 95
http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/03/95-percent-of-all-returned-gadgets-still-work-americans-dont-r/
Freeplay Ranger Radio (n.d.) Retreived on May 2, 2009 from Little Green Machines website.
http://www.littlegreenmachines.com/Freeplay-Ranger-Radio_p_26.html
Mbongaya Ivo, A. (2008). Privatisation: a burden or strategy for Sub-Saharan Africa?. African Centre for Community and Development.
