Design an affordable, smaller version of a current model of a self-propelled commercial floor cleaner to compete with other styles of commercial floor cleaners.
The commercial floor care market had a large gap between the two main choices in self-propelled floor scrubbers. Walk-behind commercial floor cleaner units averaging $5,000 in cost are difficult to manage but some cleaning crews literally refuse to use them. Ride-on style commercial floor cleaners are much more productive and desired by cleaning crews but cost $13000. Windsor Industries identified an opportunity to capture a larger share of the commerical floor cleaner market by introducing a smaller version of their successful Stand-On Chariot line of floor scrubbers that would compete directly with the walk behinds. The project was code named Walk-Behind Killer.
The product development team began the project by developing several simple, wood mockups of different configurations to identify how small the new unit could be made and still achieve the productivity needed to compete with the walk-behind floor cleaners. Once the initial mock-ups were developed, Bullseye used plywood and 2x4s to develop a running prototype to test stability, power needs, ergonomics, and to get feedback from expert users. At each prototype phase, more information was gleaned that helped improve the design to get the performance and user experience to desired levels.
Once the size and functionality were nailed down, design and engine worked in parallel to achieve the soft, friendly forms on the outside, while also addressing the mechanical needs on the inside. A bright cobalt blue was set for the product’s color, and the new control panel was color-coded to help users quickly and easily differentiate between the different buttons and learn to use the machine more quickly. In addition to color coding, the new control panel featured a simpler, more intuitive design where users could simply choose a light, medium, or heavy scrub setting. Since users actually stood on the unit vs. riding it, ergonomic comfort was improved to make the unit comfortable to stand on for more than a half an hour. Comfort design features include a sloped leaning surface which eased stress on thigh muscles, a strategically placed steering wheel and foot controls that let users adjust their stance in real time while using the machine to reduce fatigue.
The product development team began the project by developing several simple, wood mockups of different configurations to identify how small the new unit could be made and still achieve the productivity needed to compete with the walk-behind floor cleaners. Once the initial mock-ups were developed, Bullseye used plywood and 2x4s to develop a running prototype to test stability, power needs, ergonomics, and to get feedback from expert users. At each prototype phase, more information was gleaned that helped improve the design to get the performance and user experience to desired levels.
Once the size and functionality were nailed down, design and engine worked in parallel to achieve the soft, friendly forms on the outside, while also addressing the mechanical needs on the inside. A bright cobalt blue was set for the product’s color, and the new control panel was color-coded to help users quickly and easily differentiate between the different buttons and learn to use the machine more quickly. In addition to color coding, the new control panel featured a simpler, more intuitive design where users could simply choose a light, medium, or heavy scrub setting. Since users actually stood on the unit vs. riding it, ergonomic comfort was improved to make the unit comfortable to stand on for more than a half an hour. Comfort design features include a sloped leaning surface which eased stress on thigh muscles, a strategically placed steering wheel and foot controls that let users adjust their stance in real time while using the machine to reduce fatigue.
Even before the iScrub 20 was in production, one of the larger national account customers who had participated in reviewed the new floor scrubber during development placed an order to secure the first 200 machines. This commercial floor scrubber won the innovation of the year award at the annual ISSA industry show and sales were twice what were anticipated, thanks to a combination of a friendly colorful design, smaller size, and providing a high-performing, comfortable alternative to other floor scrubbers. This commercial floor cleaner was later followed with a vacuum version built on the same design theme.
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