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Capture.JPG Suzanne van Beek

List of requirements

Prior to the general conclusions on this project, the conclusions on The Product, The People and The Market will shortly be repeated. These conclusions are used in the realization of a List of Requirements and Wishes for the Fortune Cooker with a target group in Morocco, and a new Business Model Canvas. Both results can be used in the continuation of the project, as they give an idea of what the product should be like if it meets the wishes of the user, and can lead to a successful market introduction.

In order to make the Fortune Cooker suitable for a variation of households, the prototype needs to be improved technically. Seeing that the current prototype only compensates heat loss sufficiently for volumes of food starting at 4 litres, then the insulation value of the box or the amount of solar heat that can be collected should be improved.

Furthermore, user research pointed out that the aim of the Fortune Cooker to reduce the amount of fuel to be used during cooking is not yet achieved, because Moroccan women do not yet have the knowledge and experience to turn off the gas by themselves. This also hinders the financial benefit that the Fortune Cooker can give by reducing fuel consumption.

An important reason for the acknowledgment that they do not turn of the gas, is that the test persons do not trust the product’s functioning yet. Therefore, a clear explanation of its function should have a high priority in bringing the product to the market.

Finally, the women we tested with seem to have a lot of knowledge on cooking, but hereby they also desire a higher quality of their food. Although all test persons indicate to be willing to hand in quality for a cost reduction, it is yet unknown if this cost reduction can be realized, as it can’t be said for certain that they will indeed turn of the gas earlier. Improving the Fortune Cooker in such a way that the quality of the food will not be reduced is a possibility, but this might drive up the selling price.

Finally, Market Research shows that people are willing to spend around 20 euros on the Fortune Cooker, whereas the costs for building a prototype vary between 45 and 60 euros. This is still a huge gap, which means there should be thought of a way to reduce the production costs.

Both Market Research and User Research have put to question whether Morocco is the best country to bring the Fortune Cooker to the market. Even though Morocco might not be the best location for the Fortune Cooker, the product does – in every situation – need to be adapted, as the basic requirements such as safety are not yet being met. Also, research has shown that the product needs to be redesigned to fit the Moroccan market and the user. This concerns both users cooking on gas as users cooking on wood, which leads us to believe that a redesign would also needed for other possible locations in the world. To be successful once brought to the market, the Fortune Cooker has to at meet at least the requirements and wishes that derived from our research. These are listed in the List of Requirements and Wishes on the next pages.

The List of Requirements gives a full indication of what requirements have to be taken into account when continuing the design process. The List of Wishes contains several other characteristics that would improve the Fortune Cooker. The more wishes are answered, the higher the chance of success. In these lists, all conclusions drawn from the research on technological properties, user and market are enlisted. Furthermore, the requirements derived from the provisional patent are listed here as well.

list of requirements

1 Preconditions from patent

  • The product must enable safer cooking by smoke reduction.
  • The product is free from the constraints of the limited availability of electricity and the limited availability of sunlight.
  • The product uses the invention of a hybrid method using a combination of sunlight and electricity, wood, charcoal or gas as energy sources for heat processing of food and beverages.
  • The functioning of the product is based on a method comprising an optimum combination of energies for food and beverage processing.
  • The product processes food or beverage by energies selected from the group consisting of solid fuels, liquid fuels, gaseous fuels, electricity and sunlight.
  • Food and beverage prepared in the product comprise preparations selected from the group consisting of heating, cooking, simmering, pasteurization, baking, frying, toasting.
  • The user has the preference to use this product over other products for processing food and beverages.

2 Performance

  • The heat loss of food or beverages in the product through insulation is compensated by solar energy.
  • The product contains a heat source.
  • The product heats food to a desired temperature for cooking.
  • The heat source is stable and unmoveable when in use.
  • Food or beverages can be placed within the product.
  • The product is able to absorb sunlight.
  • Food or beverages can be placed in and removed from the product without spilling.
  • The product uses at least 30% less gass or wood.
  • Further research is needed on how much fuel the Fortune Cooker can reduce.

3 Materials

  • The product is insulated with an environment friendly/sustainable material.
  • The product is produced with local materials.
  • The materials that are exposed to the heat source can resist a temperature up to a 200°C.

4 Size and weight

  • The product has a maximum weight of 23 kilograms (“Tillen en dragen”, 2016)
  • The weight of the product must ensure its stability.
  • The product can house cooking gear with a maximum size of 40×40×40 cm.
  • The product can be transported over a threshold of 15 cm.

5 Maintenance

  • The product must be able to be repaired by the user itself or within their financial and distance range.
  • The product can be cleaned thoroughly within 30 minutes.
  • Parts of the product can be dismantled so that parts can be repaired or cleaned . The dismantling of a part should approximate be possible within 10 minutes.
  • Dismantling of the product can be done without damaging any parts.

6 Lifetime and recycling / processing

  • The product has a minimal lifespan of 4 years.
  • The product cannot built up a gas supply within the box, when gas is used as a heat source.

7 Costs and selling price

  • The product cannot be dependent on subsidies or donations, thus must stand on its own in the market.
  • The maximum selling price of the products is €20,-

8 Ergonomics

  • The mirror can be adjusted in the right position by one person.
  • The product can be placed on a (kitchen) counter, with a maximum height of 100 cm, considering
  • working height, danger for children, sight and dirt.
  • The user cannot get burned while touching the product during cooking.
  • The product can be adjusted towards the sun without lifting.
  • The product must be lifted by the use of handles.
  • The product can be used by both right- and left handed users.

9 Form and visual characteristics

  • The product does not contain sharp edges.
  • The product must contain clear usecues about the use of solar energy.

10 Installation and initiation of use

  • Special attention must be payed to the first use of the product.
  • The product can be used with limited expertise.

 

list of wishes
In order of importance

  1. The quality of the food is as good as possible.
  2. The product is as cheap as possible.
  3. Used materials are heat resistant.
  4. The product is built with materials and components that are readily available from many sources worldwide, including local sources.
  5. The product is built as many local materials as possible.
  6. The product is built from waste materials.
  7. The product should lose minimal warmth during opening or this loss should be compensated.
  8. The product should be designed with the optimal relation between size of pans and sufficient insulation.
  9. The product is as air tight as possible.
  10. After explanation of the principle of the mirror, the user will know how to use the mirror without mistakes.
  11. After explanation of the principle of turning the product towards the sun, the user will know the use of solar energy in the product without mistakes.
  12. The product informs the user when the heat source within the box can be turned off, either by feedback or intuition
  13. The transparent surface on top of the product does not form safety or functionality issues.
  14. The adjustment into new cooking habits, compared to common cooking methods, for the user is minimal.
  15. The product is easy to clean.
  16. The product is easy to repair.
  17. The product is easy to assemble.
  18. The weight of the product is as small as possible.
  19. The product can be left alone with children.
  20. Feedback by watching, without opening the box, should be possible.
  21. Food or beverages can be removed from the inside of the product easily
  22. The product can be moved over an unstable surface, for example soil or grass, easily.
  23. Cooking on pans without a lid is possible.
  24. When the mirror is not used, it should be stored safely.
  25. The product informs users of the health risks of cooking on wood fires