BA 290A-2 and ME290P
Fall 1998

Managing the New Product Development Process: Design Theory and Methodology

John G. Millar, MBA `99

(415) 346-9328

email: millar@haas.berkeley.edu

A lightweight, fashionable, inflatable life vest for use in ocean-based watersports. Windsurfing and Sea-Kayaking are two typical ocean-based activities where a standard life vest can become more of a hindrance than a safety feature. In each of these sports, mobility and light weight are essential. This product would usually be worn un-inflated but could be inflated in an emergency through the use of standard (in the bicycle industry anyway) CO2 cartridges. Because the cartridges are readily available, the vest could be de-flated after use and new cartridges could be easily installed.