Oct 3, 2015 | By Kira

According to U.S. statistics, texting while driving is the leading cause of death among teenagers, with over 3,000 teens killed each year and even more injured. Yet despite this known danger, we continue to use our phones behind the wheel, either for texting, checking emails, or following the GPS. For a generation that is increasingly tied to our phones, it’s unlikely that we’ll agree to put them down for good, but we can all do our part to promote safe, hands free driving by using the Bsteady car mount.

Designed by the maker world’s sweetheart Susan Taing, the Bsteady is a smartphone car mount with a universal curved design that secures any phone into any car, allowing drivers to charge their phone and access GPS directions without taking their hands off the wheel. The 3D printed prototype went through over 50 thoroughly tested iterations to arrive at its final, perfected form, and it is now available on Kickstarter.

Unlike other bulkier mounts, the Bsteady has a sleek, patent-pending original design that doesn’t obstruct your driving view or your vent. The 360º vent clip fits into any car vent, even angled ones, and eliminates adhesion tools or suction cups, which are prone to falling and could make driving even more dangerous. As the shape suggests, it truly ‘anchors’ your smartphone into place. Thanks to the flexible curve, it can fit any smartphone, from the iPhone 6 Plus to Samsung Note and more.

Rapid prototyping and 3D printing design helped bring the Bsteady from a concept to an end product with the best possible usability and most thoughtful design. Taing is a natural-born problem solver and well-versed in modern manufacturing techniques. An MIT & Stanford graduate, former Google employee, and member of a manufacturing family, Taing regularly takes everyday problems and endeavours to find the most creative, aesthetically pleasing, sustainable and affordable solution. Frustrated with current manufacturing techniques, she founded Bhold in 2013, and has since been offering smart, playful and minimalist accessories, such as the Bspacey travel organizers and Bheard sound pod. As with all of her products, rapid prototyping produces anywhere from 50-100 iterations before the most effective design is approved.

Not only does rapid prototyping ensure a better product, it ensures a more sustainable and Earth-friendly workflow. “The concept for Bhold came from my frustration with how we manufacture today,” said Taing. I believe that we could learn to make things more efficiently.” By producing only small batches of prototypes before taking the final product to scale production, 3D printing allows her to produce only what she needs, minimizing the tremendous waste that occurs during traditional manufacturing.

Susan Taing, founder of Bhold and creator of the Bsteady

Funds from the Kickstarter, which in just a few days is already at almost half of its goal, will go towards creating a mold for mass production. Though the prototype was 3D printed in durable nylon, Taing plans to mass-produce it in a composite silicone-like rubber that provides extra grip and will feel “more obviously” durable. “The 3D printed nylon for the prototype is also super durable but as it’s a very new material, it requires more explanation for users to feel more confident with it,” explained Taing. It seems as though her products might be more advanced than what the market is ready for, but I’ve got a feeling it won’t take long for the rest of the world to adjust.

The Bsteady universal car mount is sustainably manufactured, thoughtfully crafted, and at its heart, is a tool that will encourage us to drive safer—potentially saving lives. If that’s not good design, I simply don’t know what is. Each one sells for $20 on Kickstarter and comes in blue, black red or purple.

Taing’s work has previously been featured in the New York Times, Real Simple, ELLE, MAKE, and others, and she was one of 100 makers nationwide invited to the White House for their first ever Maker Faire. We’ll be keeping an eye out on this ingenious maker as she continues to shake up the world of 3D printed consumer goods.

 

 

Posted in 3D Printing Applications

 

 

 

 

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rahail wrote at 11/11/2015 5:54:35 PM:

can you send me the stl file for 3D printed Bsteady smartphone car mount rahail.shariff at gmail



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