Emma Thomas

Emma Thomas has been interested in transportation design since she started sketching in her notebooks in school. She started down the path of industrial design in high schools design club, where she practiced sketching and 3d cad. She also began to play guitar around the same time and these 2 interests became the dominant force in her life. Rubato is an extension of these 2 interests into a practical design for musicians.

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The Four Essential Pillars for Design Excellence

The four essential pillars encompass human-centric design approach and the understanding of full-bodied, three dimensional physical interaction of user, product and environment. The projects generate innovative solutions using research-driven, evidence-based designs which focus on the user experience.

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Enhancement of Human Lifestyle

Rubato allows musicians to get to their performances in a more efficient way by allowing the musician an all in one solution to the issue of instrument transportation.

Electric power allows the Rubato to ease last mile difficulties and storage troubles.

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3D render of Rubato instrument transportation device

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Human-Interaction & User-Centric Design

Rubato is foldable, allowing it to stow out of the way when needed.

The Rubato can then be unfolded to carry instruments and the user to their next destination. Fold out handles control the steering and are rubberized for nice feel. The onboard trip computer can connect to the users phone through Bluetooth and show directions or keep track of their gear.

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Ergonomics & Human Factors Design

Musicians need to be able to carry multiple cases and bags to each performance, then need to have that gear not take up too much space when unloaded.

Because instruments and gear take up a lot of space it is also difficult to use public transit with everything. Rubato solves this by allowing musicians to store their gear on a foldable trolley which then can fit into more spaces and can also be used as a scooter to ride the last mile.

3D render of Rubato device from bird's eye view

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Sustainability & Social Responsibility

Design considerations include understanding how and where to use certain materials and manufacturing processes.

Using plant based plastics and aluminum as the base materials allows for the design to be used without excess energy and oil that goes into metal and materials production, as well as meaning any plastic pieces will trap carbon within the hemp plastics.

Project Summary

Rubato is designed to offer musicians an efficient final mile solution for their instruments. With the ability to be used as an electric scooter the user will not need to walk long distances carrying lots of gear. The musician can use the wheels as an assist to climb stairs on their way to their performance. Once the musician has arrived they can fold the Rubato up and store it or use the integrated chair to perform.