Reflection - Learning Launch

Challenge : I am working in an organization named as Cocoa Innovation Center. We are into fencing

as well as security related products and equipments. We are manufacturers of Fence, Gates,

Gabions, Window grills, Barbed wire, Concertina coil, electric fencing, boom barriers and many

more. Recently we faced a challenge from some of our privilege customers that intruders try to

cut the fence or climb above fence and intrude their properties. We gathered all the data from

various customers about the nature of intrusion, impact of the intrusion and requirement of

safety and intrusion detection system. The challenge was to design a complete system for

perimeter intrusion detection and alert the property owner about the intrusion.     Selection : ​After collecting all the data from customers about the intrusion we had our multi

functional team including R&D, sales and production team for brainstorming about finding a

solution for the same. After intense brainstorming we had multiple ideas floating around to work

on and we were not able to finalise on an idea. At this point of time we planned to use the tool of

“Learning Launch” from design thinking to find an optimum solution. It was taught in the video

lecture of week 4 that when there are many ideas and how to proceed, then Learning Launch is

the tool to proceed with.     Application : After the intense brainstorming, we had many ideas to work upon and we were

not able to decide the business plan for the same. We were in the dilemma that how to decide

which idea is the best? We decided to use learning launch and as the learning launch defines, it

is a technique where small experiments are conducted that tests your new idea in the real

marketplace. Hence now our purpose was to test the solutions in market with our customers

and learn from the same. We carried out small experiments where prepared prototypes of

sensing the intrusion. At the first attempt we made a cable to pass through our fence and if the

intruder is trying the cut the fence, the wire will also get cut and it will give an alarm to the

control room about an intrusion. The prototypes were made and we experimented it with those

premium customers but the output came that this works fine if the intruder is trying to cut the

fence but if the intruder climbs above the fence and intrudes, then system can't detect the

intrusion. We took the learning and planned to make a prototype where the electric fencings are

placed and if there are any intrusions, the voltage difference in the fence can detect the

intrusion. This idea was again experimented with the customers but the issue with this was that

any stray animals will also touch the fence and it will cause damage to them as well and also

will give the false alarm of intrusion. Later this idea was discarded and we tried and

experimented a new idea where a laser or IR beam will be projected behind the fence so as to

detect any intrusion either by cutting or climbing the fence and also since the laser beam will be

placed inside the perimeter, it will not affect the animals and also won’t give any false alarm.

This idea was again prototyped and we conducted the experiment with customers. The

drawback of this system was that it can’t be placed on an uneven ground surface as the laser or

IR beams need to pass precisely as well as in the winter condition, snowfall or rainfall will be

detected in the laser or IR beam and again it will give false alarm.

After conducting many small experiments with different ideas, we had many learnings for how to

proceed. We had defined our boundary conditions, nature of intrusion, geographical conditions,

environmental conditions. Hence finally we developed the electronic vibration sensors to sense

any vibrations of cutting or climbing on the fence. We again conducted some experiments and

took inputs from the customers. After many discussions and various inputs from multiple

functions we developed our vibration sensors and integrated with cameras, radars, GPS tagger

and underground buried seismic sensors and also with thermal sensing. Hence finally we

developed a complete system for perimeter intrusion detection. This lead to the great business

gains as well.    Insight : The insight gained from this experience was that instead of taking a big step slowly,

small steps should be taken but quickly. Engaging the customers into the development and

research for your product can prove as one of the best tools. When there are lots of ideas are

floating around, every idea should be tried and tested for better approach towards development.     Approach : We might also use different tools for next time such as visualisation where the

complete detection system is picturized and mapped for better understanding of system to

inhouse colleagues as well as for new potential customers. We might also plan to increase the

sample size of our customers for experimentation to get better inputs and feedbacks for better

development.


Reflection - Learning Launch Challenge : I am working in an organization named as Cocoa Innovation Center . We are into fencing as well as security related products and equipments . We are manufacturers of Fence , Gates , Gabions , Window grills , Barbed wire , Concertina coil , electric fencing , boom barriers and many more . Recently we faced a challenge from some of our privilege customers that intruders try to cut the fence or climb above fence and intrude their properties . We gathered all the data from various customers about the nature of intrusion , impact of the intrusion and requirement of safety and intrusion detection system . The challenge was to design a complete system for perimeter intrusion detection and alert the property owner about the intrusion . Selection : ​After collecting all the data from customers about the intrusion we had our multi functional team including R&D , sales and production team for brainstorming about finding a solution for the same . After intense brainstorming we had multiple ideas floating around to work on and we were not able to finalise on an idea . At this point of time we planned to use the tool of “ Learning Launch ” from design thinking to find an optimum solution . It was taught in the video lecture of week 4 that when there are many ideas and how to proceed , then Learning Launch is the tool to proceed with . Application : After the intense brainstorming , we had many ideas to work upon and we were not able to decide the business plan for the same . We were in the dilemma that how to decide which idea is the best ? We decided to use learning launch and as the learning launch defines , it is a technique where small experiments are conducted that tests your new idea in the real marketplace . Hence now our purpose was to test the solutions in market with our customers and learn from the same . We carried out small experiments where prepared prototypes of sensing the intrusion . At the first attempt we made a cable to pass through our fence and if the intruder is trying the cut the fence , the wire will also get cut and it will give an alarm to the control room about an intrusion . The prototypes were made and we experimented it with those premium customers but the output came that this works fine if the intruder is trying to cut the fence but if the intruder climbs above the fence and intrudes , then system ca n't detect the intrusion . We took the learning and planned to make a prototype where the electric fencings are placed and if there are any intrusions , the voltage difference in the fence can detect the intrusion . This idea was again experimented with the customers but the issue with this was that any stray animals will also touch the fence and it will cause damage to them as well and also will give the false alarm of intrusion . Later this idea was discarded and we tried and experimented a new idea where a laser or IR beam will be projected behind the fence so as to detect any intrusion either by cutting or climbing the fence and also since the laser beam will be placed inside the perimeter , it will not affect the animals and also wo n’t give any false alarm . This idea was again prototyped and we conducted the experiment with customers . The drawback of this system was that it ca n’t be placed on an uneven ground surface as the laser or IR beams need to pass precisely as well as in the winter condition , snowfall or rainfall will be detected in the laser or IR beam and again it will give false alarm . After conducting many small experiments with different ideas , we had many learnings for how to proceed . We had defined our boundary conditions , nature of intrusion , geographical conditions , environmental conditions . Hence finally we developed the electronic vibration sensors to sense any vibrations of cutting or climbing on the fence . We again conducted some experiments and took inputs from the customers . After many discussions and various inputs from multiple functions we developed our vibration sensors and integrated with cameras , radars , GPS tagger and underground buried seismic sensors and also with thermal sensing . Hence finally we developed a complete system for perimeter intrusion detection . This lead to the great business gains as well . Insight : The insight gained from this experience was that instead of taking a big step slowly , small steps should be taken but quickly . Engaging the customers into the development and research for your product can prove as one of the best tools . When there are lots of ideas are floating around , every idea should be tried and tested for better approach towards development . Approach : We might also use different tools for next time such as visualisation where the complete detection system is picturized and mapped for better understanding of system to inhouse colleagues as well as for new potential customers . We might also plan to increase the sample size of our customers for experimentation to get better inputs and feedbacks for better development .