Kobalt® Performance Screwdrivers

In collaboration with Lowes®, I led new product development on next-generation tools for the Kobalt® private brand — leveraging ergonomics, a performance-driven design ethos, and an emphasis on improving user experience to generate new IP for the Kobalt® brand and bring innovation to the hands of their customers.

Relevant Skills: New Product Development (NPD), Industrial Design, Design for Manufacturing (DFM), Ergonomic Testing & Design, Human Factors, User Research & User-centered Design, Functional Prototyping, CMF, CAD, Project Management

  • Kobalt® Performance Screwdrivers: Overview

    A proprietary ergonomic handle design was developed to improve tool purchase, accommodate multiple grip positions to account for task variability, and ultimately maximize torque transfer from the user whilst preventing slippage during operation.

    In addition to aiding usability and performance, the faceted and helical form language of the handle design also embodies the Kobalt visual brand with the hexagon at its core — differentiating the Kobalt® Performance Screwdrivers from its competitors through both function and form.

    (*Image courtesy of Lowe's Companies, Inc.)

  • Kobalt® Performance Screwdrivers (Cont.)

    Additional Features: Color-coded hi-visibility bands and laser-etched call-outs for quick tool identification at a glance, TPU over-mold for improved handle grip and comfort, Hex bolster integrated into the shalf for heavy-duty and high-torque applications.

    The handle geometry was parametrically designed to be adapted for a range of driver sizes and sold as a set.

    (*Image courtesy of Lowe's Companies, Inc.)

  • Kobalt® Performance Screwdrivers: Design Development Sketches

    Development sketches illustrating ergonomic ‘zones’ — a core and distinguishing feature of the Kobalt® Performance Screwdrivers designed to ensure secure purchase of the tool for a variety of grip ‘signatures’ associated with common driving tasks.

  • Kobalt® Performance Screwdrivers: Design Development Sketches (Cont.)

    Development sketches illustrating definition of the screwdriver handle geometry cross-section and proportions based on ergonomic studies.

  • Kobalt® Performance Screwdrivers: Ergonomic Prototypes

    Iterative prototypes for ergonomic assessment of the Kobalt® Performance Screwdriver handle design — approx. two dozen prototypes were produced and tested prior to establishing the production design.

  • 'Ergonomic Manual Driver' (US PATENT: US20230116952A1)

    Listed as ‘Primary Inventor’ for ‘Ergonomic Manual Driver’: US PATENT US20230116952A1: https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/81/9d/bc/22fc38fbeb30fe/US20230116952A1.pdf

    (*Image: US PATENT US20230116952A1)

    Patent Link

  • Kobalt® Performance Screwdrivers (Cont.)

    (BELOW) Link to official product page and customer reviews. (*Image courtesy of Lowe's Companies, Inc.)

    Product Link