HeaT
HeaT
HeaT
Building Integrated Cooling Harness + SaaS App for Construction Workers
Building Integrated Cooling Harness + SaaS App for Construction Workers
Building Integrated Cooling Harness + SaaS App for Construction Workers
Severe Weather
B2B
SaaS
Work Safty
My role
Project Owner, Product Design, Product Manage, UI & UX Design, UX Research


This project was one of my undergraduate capstone projects, inspired by a moment of observation in a hot summer. I noticed construction workers exposed to direct sunlight for long hours while working on scaffolding, often with no shelter or cooling solutions. I initiated the project and led it end-to-end, from user research to prototype.
This project was one of my undergraduate capstone projects, inspired by a moment of observation in a hot summer. I noticed construction workers exposed to direct sunlight for long hours while working on scaffolding, often with no shelter or cooling solutions. I initiated the project and led it end-to-end, from user research to prototype.
The Product and Goal
The Product and Goal
HeaT is an innovative health-tracking SaaS system combined with a wearable cooling harness designed specifically for construction workers.
HeaT is an innovative health-tracking SaaS system combined with a wearable cooling harness designed specifically for construction workers.
The goal was to build this product from 0 to 1—combining hardware and software to create a lightweight, efficient, and scalable solution that could improve worker safety and comfort in extreme heat.
The goal was to build this product from 0 to 1—combining hardware and software to create a lightweight, efficient, and scalable solution that could improve worker safety and comfort in extreme heat.
Challenges
Challenges

Hardware-software integration
Hardware-software integration
Developing a seamless connection between the SaaS platform and wearable cooling technology.
Developing a seamless connection between the SaaS platform and wearable cooling technology.

Design constraints
Design constraints
The harness needed to be lightweight, breathable, rechargeable, and not bulky, so it wouldn’t hinder workers' movements.
The harness needed to be lightweight, breathable, rechargeable, and not bulky, so it wouldn’t hinder workers' movements.

Adoption barriers
Adoption barriers
The system had to seamlessly replace existing practices to encourage adoption by construction companies.
The system had to seamlessly replace existing practices to encourage adoption by construction companies.
Process: Research, Design, and Iteration
Process: Research, Design, and Iteration
Competitive Analysis
Competitive Analysis
I began by analyzing existing cooling technologies on the market, identifying their strengths and weaknesses to pinpoint opportunities for improvement.
I began by analyzing existing cooling technologies on the market, identifying their strengths and weaknesses to pinpoint opportunities for improvement.



Scenario Mapping
Scenario Mapping
Through observations, I mapped out construction workers’ daily routines, focusing on pain points caused by heat exposure. This helped me identify areas where intervention could have the most impact.
Through observations, I mapped out construction workers’ daily routines, focusing on pain points caused by heat exposure. This helped me identify areas where intervention could have the most impact.



System Design
System Design
I created a SaaS platform that tracks workers' health metrics (e.g., temperature, hydration) and integrates with the cooling harness to ensure optimal performance.
I created a SaaS platform that tracks workers' health metrics (e.g., temperature, hydration) and integrates with the cooling harness to ensure optimal performance.









Prototype
Prototype
I explored various cooling mechanisms, starting with fan-based solutions and water-cooling systems. Ultimately, I chose to use Peltier chips, a compact and precise cooling device that offered better control over temperature while maintaining small and lightweight.
I explored various cooling mechanisms, starting with fan-based solutions and water-cooling systems. Ultimately, I chose to use Peltier chips, a compact and precise cooling device that offered better control over temperature while maintaining small and lightweight.









Timeline
Timeline
Sep 2021 - Feb 2022
Sep 2021 - Feb 2022
Role
Role
Project Owner
Product Design
Product Manage
UI & UX Design
UX Research
Project Owner
Product Design
Product Manage
UI & UX Design
UX Research
Team
Team
Me & My Professor
Me & My Professor
Impact
Impact
Finalist fo Red Dot Design Award
Finalist for Vision Get Wild Award
Finalist fo Red Dot Design Award
Finalist for Vision Get Wild Award
Impact
Impact

Finalist for the international Red Dot Design Award Student Category
Finalist for the international Red Dot Design Award Student Category

Finalist for Taiwan’s Ministry of Education’s Vision Get Wild By-product Design Award
Finalist for Taiwan’s Ministry of Education’s Vision Get Wild By-product Design Award
Thank you for reading! Next Project
Thank you for reading! Next Project
➔ or play a song
➔ or play a song
Made with resistence and love
©Wen Weng All Rights Reserved
©Wen Weng All Rights Reserved
Made with resistence and love
©Wen Weng All Rights Reserved