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Description
The rapid advancement of technology presents significant opportunities for innovation in the health and education sectors, particularly for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This paper introduces a framework that incorporates ‘risk-based thinking (as suggested in ISO 9001) in quality assurance to guide product feature prioritization for an interactive sensory ball (ISB) that has been developed and designed for primary school children with ASD. By integrating ‘risk-based thinking’ into the product development process quality assurance, as suggested by ISO 9001, this framework offers a structured approach to ensure that the final product is both functional in meeting user needs and adheres to proposed quality assurance standards. Additionally, it incorporates circularity performance assessment and sustainability standards, as outlined in ISO 59004, ISO 59010, and ISO 59020.
Case study-based action research was conducted at Muzziball AS, a start-up company located in Stavanger, Norway. The aim of the study was to develop a minimum viable product (MVP), which was tested in specialized departments for children with various health conditions across three primary schools in Stavanger, Norway. The study involved a total of 12 participants, aged 8 to 10 years. A risk evaluation matrix was developed to assess participants across various risk categories. Participants were observed for physical, cognitive, and emotional responses while using the product, which incorporated specialized sound and light features.
Both qualitative and quantitative results indicate significant positive effects in terms of overall engagement, attention span, self-regulation, and social interaction. These findings suggest that the proposed framework can effectively guide the prioritization of product features that balance educational efficacy, wellbeing, safety, and sustainability. The study offers actionable insights for policymakers, educators, and stakeholders in the health and education sectors, providing a method for informed decision-making that balances innovation with safety and social wellbeing while addressing the unique needs of children with ASD.
Keywords: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Interactive Sensory Ball, Product Development, Risk Assessment, Educational Technologies, Sensory Engagement, Circular Economy, Sustainability, Healthtech, Minimum Viable Product (MVP).
