Catpass

Developing a wearable RFID dorm key solution that addresses the challenge of misplaced university IDs, through research, product design, and engineering development.

Overview

I worked as an engineering designer on a five-person interdisciplinary team at Villanova University focused on solving everyday challenges faced by university students. Our team identified a common student pain point and transformed it into a tangible product solution designed to improve the college experience.

Skills

User research

SolidWorks

3D Printing

Our solution is to create a wearable RFID device that is durable, universal, and affordable.

Initial Research

To better understand student challenges, we conducted interviews with 50 Villanova students to explore their pain points related to campus access and university IDs.

The research findings confirmed that misplaced Wildcards were a meaningful challenge among students. 65.3% of survey respondents reported losing their Wildcard, with many experiencing this issue multiple times. Students reported feeling frustrated or unsafe during these incidents.

Research findings revealed that misplaced Wildcards are a meaningful student challenge

Ideation

I developed three design concepts that explored different approaches to solving the issue of misplaced Wildcards.

Our team evaluated each concept using a decision matrix based on key criteria and select the final design direction for CatPass. The RFID wristband concept was chosen.

Design

We modeled the final Catpass design in SolidWorks and 3D printed using TPU and PLA materials. The flexible TPU band features a honeycomb pattern and low infill to balance strength and cost, while the PLA chip cover provides rigidity to protect the RFID chip. Adjustable sizing holes allow for a universal fit and improved user comfort.

Final Prototype

The final working Catpass prototype met all design criteria while providing a durable, functional, and cost-effective solution for university students. The 3D printed design made production affordable, with each RFID chip costing $0.50 and each band costing only $0.05 to produce. The project was nominated and awarded 1st place in Villanova’s College of Engineering Freshman Engineering Showcase.