Assignment 2
CS 410 "Red Group"
Stay Safe in the Sun
Taylor 1491 digital UV monitor
[1]
What is the Societal Problem the Solution Aims to Solve?
This product is only advertised as a way to improve the effectiveness
of sun screen. However, UV rays are also the cause of damage to eyes
in a way that contributes to the onset of cataracts, and can also
weaken immune system due to the skins exposure to the sun. Therefore,
this product also helps protect the immune system by protecting the
skin and may make the sunbather more conscious of the amount of their
sun exposure, leading to eye protection as well.
Who is the Customer Paying for the Solution?
The customer for this product is the manufacturer which ultimately distributes the product to the public.
What are the Characteristics/Capabilities?
The "Taylor 1491 digital UV monitor:
[1]
- Automatically computes and counts down recommended safe sun exposure
times based on the SPF you are using and your skin type
-
The UV bar graph on the monitor displays the current UV level
- Tells you when to apply more sunscreen
- Displays time and temperature
- Attaches to your belt or clothing with the carabiner clip.
- Includes one CR2032 lithium battery.
What is the Price of the Solution?
The cost of the unit is the cost for each individual customer, whether
it be you, your spouse, or Aunt Catherine. These prices range on a
competitive market, each seller trying to be the one to sell the
product, from a mere $13 upwards to $25 (plus shipping and handling,
if applicable). For example, on ambientweather.com, the price of the
unit was $13, but shipping and handling increased the price to $21.32
total. On amazon.com, the price was $19.99 and free shipping if
included in another order totaling over $25. The originally linked ad
from comforthouse.com listed the price as $24.99 giving a total of
$33.94 after shipping and handling costs. There is no data to confirm
the cost of the solution as far as manufacturing and marketing the
product.
What Did the Developer Do Well?
With the Taylor 1491 digital UV monitor, the developer aims to develop a device which keeps track of your exposure to the sun. Its components such as a LCD window,
and a counter are useful in monitoring.
The device is portable and small, so there's no hassle of hauling it around.
The device is also affordable, making it easier for consumers to purchase it.
What Did the Developer Fail To Address?
This product does not indicate that it is waterproof. If someone
were to use this at the beach, it may give inaccurate measurements of
UV exposure if used while they were in the water. The developer also failed to address aesthetics.
In order for the device to be most effective it would make sense to wear it on top of
clothes or where there is direct sun. However, the device looks
awkward and it probably would not be worn on occasions where there is a
concern for appearance.
What New Problems Were Introduced by the Solution?
When you consider that there are more than a million non-melanoma, sun-
related skin cancers diagnosed every year in the U.S.,[2] there can be no
argument that a device which measures UV radiation exposure and tells
you when to reapply sun-block is invaluable. However, there are some
concerns that come about from using the Taylor 1491 UV Monitor. As
the populace becomes more aware of how their bodies are irradiated,
tanning salons would surely suffer decreased sales, and in these times
of economic turmoil, many "mom and pop" style stores would not be able
to weather the depression. Also, is it better to be cautiously
ignorant, or carelessly informed? While the Taylor 1491 UV monitor
tells you when to reapply sunscreen, it doesn't mention anything about
the dangers of heat exhaustion/heat stroke, or the importance of
staying hydrated and keeping electrolyte levels balanced.
[3]
With the
monitor, users that did not understand the other dangers of sun
overexposure may feel protected, in much the same way that a novice
computer user feels invulnerable behind their virus protection
program. If you're going to try to be informed, be fully informed.
www.cancer.org has a wealth of resources available about all kinds of
cancers.
Finally, there are some concerns about quality of product.
Amazon.com rates the Taylor 1491 UV Monitor as two out of five stars.
With only two ratings, that certainly isn't high enough for a fair
statistic, but it should be noted that at least two users of the
product reported being disappointed that it did not work, or did not
work as advertised.
References
- ^
Taylor 1491 digital UV monitor,
Comfort House, 1992-2010
- ^
Skin Cancer Facts,
American Cancer Society, Inc, 2010
- ^
Too Much Sun Exposure,
About.com, 2010