At the moment everyone is getting ready for the coming New Year 2019, we received a new task - The design project of the 2019 new generation Mio Mivue dashcam model. Different from the past models, we also been asked for some additional features to fit with different regional requirements.
a. Discreet model design, to improve the integration with user’s cars.
b. Quickie disassembly mounting.
c. Cable management.
It’s very easy to understand the drivers’ expectations to have a discreet dashcam. We all hope it can be always stand by in case once necessary, yet minimize the interference of driving at the same time. It’s a little bit of conflict condition for us to solve.
The original Mio universal mount is really useful in terms of adjustable angles, just we need a smaller mounting solution for the new requirement. We start to rethink about this question:
“Why don’t we make the unit itself as the mount?”
We changed the form factor of the dashcam, make it a flatter model with a windshield-aligned display panel, and add an adjustable hinge for the camera to adapt with various windshield angles. We made the first prototype for the new project, it’s rough, but still encouraged the team to dig out more ideas and possibilities.
At the same time we were defining the design identity and keep cooperating with the stakeholders, one of the most questions we received for the prototype is: “It seems to be similar to certain competitors, what’s our survival value in the intense market?” We were not surprised by such questions, and we know that only the traditional Mio advantage features such as HD night vision sensor, reliable quality, etc., is no way enough.
We will still break through the value of design.
Since the device eventually needs to fix on the windshield, we can do something for the mounting solution. Some of our regional teams feedback the quickie disassembly mounting would be a selling feature, that’s an interesting challenge for us.
Additionally, the cable existence is another most annoying problem about a dashcam we received during our DHT (Design Hypothesis Test) process, that we were aware no matter how much effort we spent on a delicate design, it always been a pity while a discouraging connection cable stick out on the side.
After working with many engineers, the solution emerged- an ACTIVE CRADLE!
The active cradle is a small electronic transmission separate part, plays the role of connecting the device to both the windshield and the power. The idea is we insert the USB plug on the active cradle, stick it on the windshield, and the user may operate easily to attach/detach the dashcam with the active cradle through the well-designed mechanism on it.
OK, seems we’ve got the proper answer, shall we satisfied?
NO. As long as the cable sticks out even on the active cradle, it still drives the picky people, such as you and me, into crazy. We still need to get improvement, and this time only depending on the design effort is not enough.
Finally, our engineers successfully shrink the active cradle PCB size, made enough space to achieve the wise way to conceal the USB plug into the active cradle, and by the way we also shaping the active cradle as a Mio iconic form- a capsule shape.
Now as we can see, the Mivue 826 model came out in 2020, with the innovative discreet model, easy mounting, and got rid of annoying cable. The process and output maybe not perfect, but we’ve made a brand new differentiated model, which encouraged us to embrace more creative ideas for the new models in the future.
For more information: https://www.mio.com/en_eeu/mivue-826
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