By Tara Maher
Ashley Corcoran from Carrigaline was pursuing a career in commerce. After seeing a final year project win a Dyson award in the paper, she realised that the business world wasn't for her. She transferred to the University of Limerick to study Product Design, and her final year project, "Curo," recently won the college's Logitech Designer of the Year Award.
"The creativity and problem-solving I saw in the Product Design projects made me want to switch courses. I was really inspired by the students' use of art, design, and engineering to tackle real-world issues. It was amazing to see design and technology merge in such a practical way. As a student, I always had a love for both art and science. But I never thought I would find a degree that blends these two so well until I discovered this course," Ashley told The Carrigdhoun.
Ashley explained that the course is very project-based and not a course you sit down and cram for the night before: "The projects are diverse and hands-on, involving sketching, workshop building, prototyping, and using CAD software. Each project teaches a new skill that builds on the previous one. What you put into the course is what you get out of it, and in the end, you have something tangible that others find interesting and that you can be proud of."
She completed an internship at Dolmen during her studies, which she described as a pivotal experience. Dolmen is an award-winning product design + R&D agency specialising in breakthrough product innovation in various markets from agriculture to hospitality. At Dolem, she was able to transform her theoretical knowledge into real-world expertise, "I was part of a multi-talented team of designers, working on real projects in a fun, collaborative setting. I learned so much that year, which greatly benefited my final project. The course fosters a strong community spirit, with small classes where you get to know your classmates and lecturers. Even past students are always ready to lend a hand and offer encouragement."
Ashley created "Curo," a smart IoT device designed to save children's lives by managing allergic reactions as part of her final year project. "Curo uses a new advanced sensor and works by detecting allergic reactions, delivering alerts, and providing step-by-step treatment instructions. An SMS is automatically sent to parents/guardians, and if the child doesn't respond, an SOS call is initiated, and an alarm sounds to attract bystanders who can then view the medical ID and follow treatment instructions. It is a holistic system. The parent support app enhances the device's functionality, offering education and ease of use for parents. It allows for setting up medical IDs, viewing past reactions, and practicing with the device through a risk-free simulation mode. Curo saves lives, promotes awareness about allergies, and mitigates the risk of anaphylaxis."
Since completing her studies she has relocated to the U.S and is enthusiastic about the potential of Curo, "My ambition is to further its development through clinical trials and ultimately bring it to the market."
To read more great local stories, purchase an online edition of The Carrigdhoun at https://subscriber.pagesuite-professional.co.uk/subscribe.aspx?eid=c946bff2-f434-4a7b-a75d-621998d7e750
Comments