Spring and Summer 2017
Willow is a hands-free breast pump that fits in a bra, minimizing the interruption that pumping causes. It is quiet and discreet, allowing Moms to multitask while pumping. The project encompasses the willow milk bags and the app (which communicates quantities pumped, timing, and pumping history), as well as the pump itself.
I worked for Willow immediately prior to the product beta launch, to better understand what it was like to work for a start-up and what it takes to launch a product.
My Contributions
Set-up to characterize linear actuator forces: the actuator would attach to the bottom white fixture.
- Created fixture and test set-up for the characterization and future further optimization of a linear actuator
- Final volume verification testing
- Testing iterative design solutions for volume tracking
- Investigated onoing learnings from the field
- Evaluated and tested pumps from ongoing user and lab testing
- Ordering lab equipment
Working in a fast-paced start-up environment, I learned about the practical aspects of the entire product development process, such as design control (implemented broadly as company document and design iteration tracking, and personally through a meticulous lab notebook), competitor strategies, and product image coherency.
Official Media from https://www.willowpump.com/