HeadStart: Design Challenge

Goal

To take an empathetic look at how users engage with In-Vehicle displays and web/mobile applications and create a cohesive cross platform to enhance their experience.

Timeline | 1 Week

Responsibilities

User Research | Information Architecture | Design Strategy | Visual Design & Prototyping | User Testing

Discovery & Research

To establish how users currently connect with their vehicles, and their existing mobile experience.

Benchmarking

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available on many OEM’s vehicles, and higher end models automate functions and make features such as camera views easily accessible.

Google Survey

Responses made it clear users:

are using apps while driving, including dangerous ones like snapchat.
need help focusing on the road.
would like better voice control for functions, such as talk to text and browsing music.

Informal Interviews

[us_testimonial style=”4″ author=”- Maya” company=””]In-Vehicle apps are the only reason I can listen to anything right now ‘cause my phone is broken.[/us_testimonial]

[us_testimonial style=”4″ author=”- Tony” company=””]My thing is I need to be able to do more things hands free. Maybe stuff that we access in the car that usually isn’t easy to incorporate into the steering wheel like climate controls.[/us_testimonial]

Published Sources

[us_testimonial style=”3″ author=”” company=”https://www.pajcic.com/doubly-dangerous-snapchatting-driving/”]The most shocking statistic?
The percentage of drivers who admit to using snapchat while operating a motor vehicle: 11 percent.[/us_testimonial]

Insights

Drivers want:

Better voice control
A more seamless transition between the apps they use on their mobile device everyday
Hands free
Less distractions

Some drivers want:

to use very interactive apps while driving

Design Direction

∇ Users want an easy way to transition while on the move, from walking and mobile device, to car and in-vehicle experience.

They don’t want to lose time with syncing and cables. They don’t want to stop using their favorite apps. They want their car to know and be ready.

Design Solution

A mobile app that learns user’s driving and app usage preferences, anticipating and preparing their driving experience before they hit the road.

HeadStart

Learns and sends preferences to car via remote start:

Destination setting + Scheduling
Temperature Setting
Most used apps (per ride time/profile)
Enhanced Safety Settings for specific Moods
Ability to lock apps that would distract too much

User Testing

[us_testimonial style=”3″ author=”” company=””]Having my apps and climate controls ready to go is very useful.[/us_testimonial]

[us_testimonial style=”3″ author=”” company=””]Makes it easier to get in the car and go instead of having a few minutes of set-up before driving.[/us_testimonial]

[us_testimonial style=”3″ author=”” company=””]The changing of the volume of certain things like alerts help with whichever mood you’re in, especially when you’re tired and an alert is needed the most to keep you focused on the road.[/us_testimonial]

[us_testimonial style=”3″ author=”” company=””]Gives quick access apps and allows me to not thumb around so much when the most used car apps are already there. Especially if I can organize them in the order i’d like so i can use muscle memory to change from one to another if on the road.[/us_testimonial]

[us_testimonial style=”3″ author=”” company=””]For an app focused on driving, this would be a distraction or unsafe usage of application.[/us_testimonial]

[us_testimonial style=”3″ author=”” company=””]Although it has voice commands it can still be pretty distracting.[/us_testimonial]

[us_testimonial style=”3″ author=”” company=””]Definitely. It will more than likely be the most safest way for people who like to “snap and drive” without all the distractions of having to operate the app itself.[/us_testimonial]

The results from user testing suggested users enjoy ease and accessibility in getting to frequently used features and automation, but that it would be best to be kept away from functions they should not be performing while driving.

MVP

Adjustments were made in the final prototype based on user testing results and can be seen below.

Walkthrough: Onboarding

This is how a user would set up their first driving profile.

Set up:

Destination setting + Scheduling
Temperature Setting
Most used apps (per ride time/profile)
Learn about Moods
Edit or Duplicate profile

Walkthrough: Driving Profiles

This is how a user would switch through their profiles.

Swipe through set destinations
Update most used apps as usage changes

Walkthrough: In-Vehicle Experience

This is how a user would transition from mobile to in-vehicle.

Seamlessly

Start HeadStart as soon as car is on
Temperature is already where user likes it
Music picks up where it left off
Easy voice search for new song

Settings & Lock Apps

Snapchat feature changes to Lock feature

User can lock apps they know they’ll be tempted by
HeadStart either
- locks apps entirely
- or displays/reads messages in-vehicle reminding driver of the danger they are causing to themselves and others by using these apps while driving

Notifications

HeadStart would notify users based on:

Their scheduled drives
Proximity to car (100ft, your walking towards your car)
Their most used apps changing/needing to be updated in app

Success

With the initial success in testing, and the replacement of the Snapchat feature with the lock apps feature, HeadStart found success in being a platform that eases and enhances the connected driving experience.

[us_testimonial style=”4″ author=”” company=””]It feels personable.[/us_testimonial]

Looking Forward

There is so much that could change in HeadStart as technology advances.

In testing, users wanted:

More voice control
Easier/voice Climate control

Additionally

HUDs would cause less distraction
Autonomous and semi-autonomous could greatly increase the Moods/Enhanced Safety feature
More devices – such as apple watch, would make interactions even more seamless