"Bearing" with It: Using ChatGPT to Solve New Product Development Challenges

Remember those old movies where the hero puts on a thinking cap with all sorts of wires hanging out of it? ChatGPS is not that. But is is useful for what it does do (and horrible for anything else). Let's look at what it can do with one of the challenges we discussed yesterday when addressing how to gain competitive advantage during the design phase of new product development (NPD). Like TRIZ, it can be a useful brainstorming tool which, unlike TRIZ, can also seek out some helpful data if you phrase your question appropriately.

I want to emphasize that point: you need to phrase your question appropriately, When Google was first introduced, we all had to relearn booleans and how to make search strings. New technologies require time to figure out how best to use them and ChatGPT is no exception.

Now onto the fun stuff. I went to New Chat (chat-gpt.org) and started chatting. You get 10 questions. Here is my 10 question chat. I've added my comments about what I was receiving back in italics.

Me: I am developing a new vital signs portable patient monitor for rural telemedicine. The device incorporates an infrared sensor, a piezoelectric sensor, and a photoacoustic sensor and a wrist band and tube you blow into to collect data. It can monitor pulse rate, pulse strength, pulse pattern (e.g. heart arrhythmia), blood pressure, blood oxygenation, body temperature, blood sugar and, if the patient holds it up to their mouth, respiratory rate and end-tidal Co2.?When connected?to Wi-Fi, it can download the data in real time to a doctor, nurse practitioner, medical practice, hospital, etc. If the device is not connected to the Internet, the data is stored on the device and automatically transmitted when it is connected to broadband internet.

My customers want it to be portable (not plugged in) but need it to work though a week- long power outage.

I can add a battery or use an external battery that has a socket. An big internal battery adds size and weight (which makes it less portable) and may still require a way recharge in an outage. External batteries with sockets probably can be larger but there is still the weight problem associated with internal batteries, plus big ones are are not easily portable for elderly, handicapped, or infirm patients.

How can I get around this problem? Is there a solution I can incorporate in my design?

ChatGPT: One solution could be to add the option for a solar panel to be used to charge the device, which would be helpful in rural or outdoor areas where access to power sources may be limited. This would reduce the need for a large internal or external battery, making the device more portable. Another solution could be to incorporate a hand-cranked generator as a backup power source, allowing the device to be charged manually during a power outage. This would also make it easier for elderly, handicapped or infirm patients to use. Additionally, the device could have a low-power mode to conserve energy and extend the battery life during long periods of use.

Notice that it got the problem and came up with some potential solutions. Interesting, I did not seriously consider them as I wanted an internal to the device solution, not a peripheral. But now I'm thinking maybe I should consider one, if only as a way to reduce the number of extra batteries you need to buy. I am also thinking, oh yes, need to confirm the design spec calls for unit to power down to stand-by when not in operation.

Me: How about a swap out internal battery. Would that work?

ChatGPT: As an AI language model, I cannot provide a specific response without context. However, if you are asking if swapping out an internal battery is possible, it depends on the device. Some devices have removable batteries that can be replaced easily, while others have sealed batteries that can only be replaced by a professional technician. It is also important to note that tampering with the internal components of a device may void the warranty and may also be dangerous if not done properly. It is always best to consult with the manufacturer or a professional technician before attempting to replace an internal battery.

Oops, ChatGPT missed that I am designing the unit in its answer. I'll better clarify what I want more precisely.

Me: I am designing a new device. I want to use swap out batteries. Who is a good US domestic supplier for 58,830mAh capacity removable internal batteries? If there are no US ones, can you recommend a foreign company?

ChatGPT: As an AI language model, I don't have access to current market information. However, there are several battery manufacturers that offer high-capacity removable batteries that you may be interested in exploring, including LG, Samsung, and Panasonic. It's best to research their product offerings and contact them directly to inquire about sourcing options. Additionally, you may want to consider working with a battery distributor that can assist with sourcing and logistics, such as Mouser Electronics or Digi-Key.

Ok, not the best answer but at least a place to start exploring this option. I'll do that later.

Me: Earlier you recommended incorporating a hand-cranked generator as a backup power source. Is there a manufacturer who makes one that can be integrated into a product's design to recharge an internal Lithium Ion battery and is not very heavy or larger?

ChatGPT: Yes, there are several manufacturers who make hand-cranked generators that can be integrated into a product's design to recharge an internal Lithium Ion battery. Some examples include:

1.????K-TOR Pocket Socket 2: This is a compact and lightweight hand-cranked generator that can be used to charge any device with a USB port, including smartphones, tablets, and cameras.

2.????Biolite CampStove 2: This is a portable stove that includes a hand-cranked generator to charge its internal battery. The battery can then be used to power an LED light, or to charge a device via USB.

3.????Eton BoostTurbine 2000: This is a compact and lightweight hand-cranked generator that can be used to charge smartphones and other USB devices. It has a built-in Lithium Ion battery that can be charged via the hand-crank or an external USB port.

4.????Goal Zero Torch 250: This is a compact and lightweight hand-cranked generator that can be used to charge smartphones and other USB devices. It includes a built-in Lithium Ion battery and a powerful LED flashlight.

These are just a few examples of the many hand-cranked generators available in the market. When selecting a generator, be sure to consider the weight, size, power output, and compatibility with your product's battery and charging requirements.

Again, not the best answer. Precision about what you are looking for is critical as it is not great at inferring what you are asking based on the prior conversion. It is like having a new undergrad student intern help you do some research. If you are very precise, they are helpful, if not, it's a crap shot.

Me: No. I need to recharge a laptop.

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As a former US Government funded AI researcher in the early days of neuralnets and someone who used to make webpages in HTML code I can read this and it was kinda maybe no not really interesting.?Since I first did not succeed, following the advice of an old adage, I tried again with a different query.

Me: Is there a hand crank generator that can recharge a laptop easily?

ChatGPT: Yes, there are hand crank generators that can recharge laptops. These generators are usually designed to produce a higher amount of power than those meant for smaller electronics such as smartphones, tablets or cameras. Some popular options include the K-TOR Power Box 20 and the PowerFilm Solar & Hand Crank Powered Portable Charger. As with any generator, it's important to make sure that the power output is compatible with the laptop's specifications to avoid damage or potential malfunctions.

Better.

Me: Can any of those handcrank generators be built into a device or must they be an external unit?

ChatGPT: Handcrank generators can be built into a device or used as an external unit. However, the feasibility of building them into a device depends on the size and power requirements of the device. For small devices with low power requirements like radios, flashlights, and small electronics, hand crank generators can be built into the device. But for larger devices with high power requirements like laptops, a separate external unit is more practical.

OK. I expected that. Still is this a potential solution, assuming an elderly person has the stamina to crank long enough or has a younger or fit enough person there?

Me: What are the price and specifications for the?K-TOR Power Box 20 and the PowerFilm Solar & Hand Crank Powered Portable Charger.?

ChatGPT: As an AI language model, I don't have access to real-time pricing information. However, I can provide you with the following specifications for both products:

K-TOR Power Box 20:

Dimensions: 6.5 x 5.5 x 3.25 inches

Weight: 1.5 pounds

Max output: 20 watts

Hand-crank generator, USB port, and 12V port

Charges small electronics and batteries

PowerFilm Solar & Hand Crank Powered Portable Charger:

Dimensions: 10.5 x 6.5 x 1 inch

Weight: 12 ounces

Max output: 5 watts

Built-in solar panel and hand-crank generator

Charges small electronics and batteries

Both of these products are designed to provide power to small electronics in a portable and alternative way. The K-TOR Power Box 20 has a higher output and a 12V port, while the PowerFilm charger has a built-in solar panel. The more appropriate one to choose depends on what features you need for your specific use case.

Ok, so if I go down this path I needed to add a 12v plug to my design or a port for one and a 12V male to male cable. Maybe I should do something like that and just provide a list of compatible peripherals. If I wasn't running out of questions I'd ask the chatbot if there are off-the-shelf panels with high capacity built in storage and a 12v output socket as well. Instead I did a quick Bing search and found out there were.

The reason I did not ask that question was i wanted to probe how ChatGPT was coming up with its answers and I only had two questions left. Was it transparent enough to give me a warm fuzzy feeling or was it more a case of caveat emptor (let the buyer beware or in this case let the user beware as it is a free version).

Me: How are you coming up with your answers in this conversation we are having?

ChatGPT: As an AI language model, I generate responses based on the input I receive from you. I use natural language processing algorithms and machine learning models to understand the meaning behind your statements and formulate appropriate responses.

Caveat emptor so far.

Me: What sources do you use to find the data for your answers and how do you develop the recommendations and suggestions you offer?

ChatGPT: As an AI language model, I rely on a vast amount of data from various sources. My training data includes text from books, articles, websites, and other forms of written content. This data is used to develop my language understanding and responses to user inquiries. When answering questions or providing recommendations, I refer to my knowledge base and resources from credible sources such as academic articles, news articles, government websites, and industry reports. I also use machine learning techniques to analyze and interpret the data, which enables me to provide reliable and accurate answers. Additionally, I continuously learn and update my knowledge base with new information and data to improve the quality of my responses.

Ran out of questions unfortunately. Still caveat emptor.

My conclusion: This is a useful tool for brainstorming and initial explorations. I would still use TRIZ first to brainstorm as I don't want the ChatGPT answers leading me down a rabbit hole or inadvertently guiding me in splecific directions. That said, great tool for brainstorming and hopefully gaining additional perspective on your design challenges. For me, it's like having a bright student intern, a novice research assistant, or a busy colleague who can give you a little time acting as a sounding board.