top of page
HELIOS
Induction Heating Module
Helios is an induction heating module that leverages conductive food containers as heating vessels. The heating system aims to optimize the transition from storing, reheating, and consuming prepared meals to cleaning up dishware.
Disciplines:
Industrial design
3D visualization
Time:
Fall 2024 - 7 weeks
Credits:
Justin Lund - Instructor
Award:
IHA 2025 1st place
43.6% of Americans say they meal prep on a rountine basis
U.S survey from 2022
PROBLEM STATEMENT
Food is essential for everyone, and good meals are key to maintaining well-being. However, many people adopt unhealthy eating habits due to convenience, cost, and the time needed cooking. Meal prepping offers a healthier alternative, but common reheating methods often lack energy efficiency, speed, safety, or compromise the meal’s quality.
MEAL PREPPING MYTHS
False perceptions and misconceptions
Takes too much time
Meal prepping may seem like a long ordeal, it can save you time in the long run, due to not having to go to the grocery store or having to cook/clean every day.
Expensive
Meal planning can save you money since you can only buy what you need as well as buy essential times in bulk and use them, in multiple meals that week.
Strict eating diet
Associated with losing weight. However, it doesn’t have to be a plain restrictive diet. It can be about enjoying different types of foods that are well-balanced and that save time and energy.
MEAL PREPPING BREAKDOWN
Analysis of trends and patterns from a 2022 American research study
53.9% of meal preppers said dinner was the most common meal
63.5 % of people said they prefer homemade meals over freezer meals
Poultry (chicken, turkey, etc) is the most popular protein source in meal prep with 49% of people integrating it into their meals
DOWNSIDES TO MICROWAVE HEATING
Uneven heating could leave bacteria and pathogens leading to food poisoning
Change in taste quality of food
Change in texture of the food, such as dryness, soggy, rubbery
HEATING TECHNOLOGY ANALYSIS
Alternative methods of cooking or reheating food instead of using microwaves
GAS STOVETOPS
38% of American households
ELECTRIC STOVETOPS
68% of American households
INDUCTION STOVETOPS
3% of American households
TECHNOLOGY BREAKDOWN
Benefits and drawbacks of current heating technology
GAS
Pros:
+ Cheap
Cons:
- Exposed flame
- Hard to clean
- Potential fumes & gas leaks
ELECTRIC
Pros:
+ No open flame
+ Lower profile
Cons:
- Response is slower
- More expensive than gas
INDUCTION
Pros:
+ Energy efficient
+ Even heating
Cons:
- Expensive
- Can't conduct with aluminum
FINDING OPPORTUNITY
Meal prepping is becoming increasingly popular due to people wanting to eat healthy, cost, and convenience. However, many individuals use microwaves due to efficiency, which can compromise the taste and texture of the food.
How can we create an alternative system that provides efficiency and convenience to the eating experience for meal prepping without compromising on the quality and enjoyment, or the mission to eat more healthy?
COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
Finding opportunities within the induction cooking product market
-
Existing induction cookers are either fixed onto a surface, intimidating, or not suitable for small living environments.
-
Majority are meant to be cooked with pots or pans
-
The portable induction cookers still exhibit an industrial form and material language that is intimidating and obtrusive.
MARKET OPPORTUNITY GRAPH
INDIVIDUAL PRODUCT REVIEWS
Identifying pain points and establishing a baseline for success
DESIGN CRITERIA
Simple
Reducing unnecessary features, forms, and functionality to streamline design and interaction.
Intuitive
Simple user interaction that promotes ease of use while performing functional task.
High Quality
Usage of premium materials to promote the longevity of the product.
Initial ideation focused on modules that allowed meal preppers to use their food containers to heat up their meals by placing them into an induction heating system. Secondary focuses included bringing modularity to meal arrangement.
CONCEPT SELECTION
Heated Lunchbox
-
Heating lunch for commute workers
-
Easy to carry or can fit in a backpack
-
Provides users with an alternative then warming up their food in the communal microwave.
Small Household Appliance
-
Small footprint appliance that fits on the counter
-
Non-invasive for a low-commitment approach to appliances
-
Inviting form and intuitive interaction for a less intimidating user experience.
Foldable/Portable Cooktop
VENTILATION IDEATION
DETAIL REFINEMENT
Detail refinement was conducted in Rhinoceros and Keyshot to test out color, form, and attachments
Helios’s form, materials, and color create a more inviting and approachable aesthetic for small household appliances.
MEAL PREP CONTAINERS
Seamless Integration
Companion food containers allow for a more streamline process of storing and reheating food. Due to its magnetic material properties, the food container can transfer the magnetic current that is used to heat food with induction technology.
STORAGE & CLEANING
Convient & Easy
Helios’s food storage containers are designed for bulk storage in refrigerators, enabling users to plan and prepare multiple meals in advance. Made from dishwasher-safe materials, they ensure quick and efficient clean-up.
STORAGE CONTAINERS
Singular food layout
Divisional food layout
CONTAINER MODULARITY
Helios’s different meal prep containers allow the user to arrange their meals based on their personal preferences.
FABRIC TAB
Nylon with a hydrophobic coating lift tab ensures for easy lid interaction when placing and removing meal containers from the module.
MAGNETIC TABS
Multi-purpose Function
Neodymium magnets are placed around the border of both Helios’s lid and body. This function does not only allow an electric current to be transferred to the lid for the controls but allows for a secure and precise placement of the lid.
LED LIGHT BOARD
Helios’s dead front display is utilizes a led dot matrix display board that is located underneath the lid’s inner shell.
INTERFACE
INDUCTION HEATING
Emerging Technology
Induction technology offers precise heating, enhanced energy efficiency, and safer user interaction. This ensures food is heated to its optimal temperature, preserving its quality and avoiding degradation caused by other heating methods.
bottom of page