Airo
Foggy mirrors are annoying.
It's a problem that many experience but have taken for granted. The solution? Airo. Airo offers an automated, non-structural, plug-and-play solution to the annoying problem of foggy mirrors.
Sep-Dec 2024
In collaboration with Ethan Solodukin
Foggy mirrors are annoying.
Hot showers create steam that condenses on mirror surfaces, leaving them unusable and disrupting daily routines that require mirror visibility.
Survey Info (120+ respondents)
Problem Validation
Key Insights
Morning routines depend on consistent mirror access. Fog interrupts grooming mid-task, forcing users to wipe repeatedly. Simple activities become frustrating, time-consuming obstacles.
Development
Technology-based Concept Exploration
Heat proved essential to preventing fog. Three technologies explored: heated pads for manual wiping, thermoelectric cooling to capture vapor, and enclosed hair-dryer circulation for automation.
Direction 1
Cleerly
Combined squeegee efficiency with heated dock/pad. Heat prevents re-fogging after wiping.
Pros
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Functions similarly to squeegee but adds heat to prevent refogging.
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Fast process - user clears only the area they need
Cons
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Requires active movement from the user
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Potentially long heating time, if not automated.
Direction 2
VapoDense
Thermoelectric cooler creates cold surface to condense vapor before it reaches mirror. Eliminates fog at the source.
Pros
1. Reduces overall fog in the entire bathroom.
2. No visual obtrusion on the mirror
Cons
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Expensive electronics
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High power draw (thermoelectric coolers are inefficient)
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Potentially dangerous to have electronics in the shower
Direction 3
Airo
Adapted hair-dryer heat delivery into slim, mirror-mounted form. Automated hot air circulation without permanent installation.
Pros
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Proven hair-dryer effectiveness.
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Similar to automotive defoggers.
Cons
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Potentially slow clearing time
Chosen Concepts
Out of the three, Cleerly and Airo were chosen to develop. VapoDense was rejected due to technology costs and power-draw.
Cleerly Development
Exploring physical forms with pink foam, developing CAD with Fusion, and creating a works-like prototype using an aluminum sheet and wood.
Cleerly: Proof-of-Concept
I built a prototype using wood, fabric, and a stainless steel sheet to demonstrate the design’s functionality.
Using a heat gun, I heated the stainless steel sheet, which effectively cleared a mirror area large enough to see your face in 20 to 30 seconds and prevented re-fogging, confirming my hypothesis.
Airo Development
Explored vertical air-channelling with foamcore, further form exploration through CAD, and 3D printed prototypes.
Insight
Axial vs. Blower Fans
A single blower-style fan was significantly more powerful than 4 slim axial fans, making it the desired fan type.
Airo: Proof-of-concept
I disassembled a hair dryer and enclosed it in a wooden container that directs hot air like a blade. The model uses suction cups to attach to a mirror.
After one minute, it effectively cleared most of the mirror, which took longer than expected, suggesting the addition of a timer or humidity sensor for automation.
As hypothesized, the heated areas remained clear even after running the shower again.
Initial Visualization
A render for each final model for Airo and Cleerly were created to recieve feedback on.
Feedback from Users
The explorations for Airo and Cleerly was summarized and presented to various users to get feedback on regarding their function, form, and features.
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User Feedback Conclusion
Users preferred automation over speed. Despite Cleerly's faster clearing, participants found manual wiping tedious: "it would get annoying to always wipe the mirror myself."
Refinements:
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Automatic activation during showers
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Integrated LED ring light and magnified mirror for added functionality
This validation led to developing Airo as the final concept.
Feedback Implementation and UI Development
Explored various control points to adjust lighting, heat, and automation functions. Added magnified mirror and automation functionality based on user feedback.
Presenting Airo
A new level of bathroom convenience.
Seamless Functionality.
Airo works by blowing heated air across the surface of the mirror, elimitinating any condensation (fog) present on the surface.
Automated.
The humidity sensor activates the defogger automatically at a certain humidity level, ensuring the mirror is clear right after the user exits the shower.
Intuitive Adjustment.
Users can easily adjust the humidity threshold using the 8-bit display and UI buttons.
Magnified Mirror.
A magnified mirror and LED allow users to get a closer view of their faces in the bathroom, aiding in shaving, brushing teeth, and applying makeup.
Control points.
Clicking sliders on either side control heat and LED brightness.
Plug-and-play.
The device is attached on the mirror using four heavy-duty suction cups, making it easy to attach and remove.
Internals
The device uses commonly available and cheap components, similar to the ones used within a hair dryers and wireless computer mice.
