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Automated Ride Service VR Exploration
What if all future transportation methods were done through automated means? What would our society look like if self driving cars were used in place of ride sharing services? This could potentially solve traffic problems in more urban environments and make general transportation more efficient. These services could also be defined by different socioeconomic levels. For example, those who fall under an upper class threshold may have the option to own their own self driving vehicle. The factors of socioeconomic standing, housing location, and career choice can also affect a person's available ride options. While upper members of society are given access to private and luxury transport, low class people are left to economic, crowded and less forgiving transports based on their position on the ladder.
Role
Timeline
Tools
Exploring the problem
Create a fictional world in virtual reality to explore the concept of automated ride sharing apps
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Conversational Interviews
To start, I needed to gather data about how bartenders adjusted to the shift in structure, how they made a living, and how COVID would shape the future of bartending. Conversational interviews were a great way to collect rich stories and perspectives about individual decisions and uncover any pain-points my users may have.
The Scene
In the example below, the user uses an app on a tablet to select and call a ride. The app visualizes three different vehicles that the user can choose from depending on how many credits the user has available and has the option to buy more. For the sake of showcasing, the user only has enough credits for one vehicle option. After selecting and confirming the vehicle, the user is prompted to wait for the vehicle to arrive at the address of their home. When the vehicle arrives, the user is given a code with a corresponding color. The user is led outside to the street and confirms the code on the front of the vehicle and enters.
Through further iteration, the vehicles could include a key code (4 digit PIN) in order to unlock the vehicle. The vehicle is then taken to work at a factory and the scene ends when the vehicle stops at work.
The World
I wanted to showcase an environment in which a service like this may be applicable. This setting takes place 10 years into the future in an urban, lakeside setting. In this fictitious world, renewable energy has begun to take hold and is used to help power homes and vehicles. This can be seen by cubes on the sides of the houses. In this scene, our player is a home owner who does not own a car, but uses the ride service app showcased in the video, "VOCO" to purchase an automated ride to work.
For the sake of this scene, the distance to the user's work is shortened, however, in a real world setting, this service would be used for trips of longer distances.
Design choices/challenges
For the sake of this prototype, there were a lot of decisions that the user needed to make in order for the scene to work properly. This included, approaching the tablet, watching the entirety of the video, finding and walking out the front door, confirming the car's code, entering the car and staying inside of the car until the user arrived at the specified location.
In order to clear any confusion and properly direct the user through the scene, I had to make distinct design choices through a collection of audio, flashing lights and specific timing decisions.
Tablet Notification
I created a notification for the tablet with a flashing light and a ringing noise to entice curiosity in the user.
Animation Trigger
After the user was led to the tablet, the screen turned on and began to play an animation and the noise and flashing light turned off.
Leading Light Path
When the video animation was over, an animation of a light trail turned on and projected onto the floor. The direction of the flashing led the user to a door. The blue color of the lights on the ground and around the door were intentionally used to create a connection to the user and encourage them to approach the door. When approached, the door is triggered to open.
Automated Doors
When outside, the user is given enough previous information to be inclined approach the car and possibly explore the car, revealing the code on the front of the car. As the user approaches the car a bit closer, the doors open automatically suggesting that the user enters the car. The rest of the animation plays and the car doors open when they arrive at the destination.
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The Scene
In the example below, the user uses an app on a tablet to select and call a ride. The app visualizes three different vehicles that the user can choose from depending on how many credits the user has available and has the option to buy more. For the sake of showcasing, the user only has enough credits for one vehicle option. After selecting and confirming the vehicle, the user is prompted to wait for the vehicle to arrive at the address of their home. When the vehicle arrives, the user is given a code with a corresponding color. The user is led outside to the street and confirms the code on the front of the vehicle and enters.
Through further iteration, the vehicles could include a key code (4 digit PIN) in order to unlock the vehicle. The vehicle is then taken to work at a factory and the scene ends when the vehicle stops at work.
The World
I wanted to showcase an environment in which a service like this may be applicable. This setting takes place 10 years into the future in an urban, lakeside setting. In this fictitious world, renewable energy has begun to take hold and is used to help power homes and vehicles. This can be seen by cubes on the sides of the houses. In this scene, our player is a home owner who does not own a car, but uses the ride service app showcased in the video, "VOCO" to purchase an automated ride to work.
For the sake of this scene, the distance to the user's work is shortened, however, in a real world setting, this service would be used for trips of longer distances.
Design choices/challenges
For the sake of this prototype, there were a lot of decisions that the user needed to make in order for the scene to work properly. This included, approaching the tablet, watching the entirety of the video, finding and walking out the front door, confirming the car's code, entering the car and staying inside of the car until the user arrived at the specified location.
In order to clear any confusion and properly direct the user through the scene, I had to make distinct design choices through a collection of audio, flashing lights and specific timing decisions.
Tablet Notification
I created a notification for the tablet with a flashing light and a ringing noise to entice curiosity in the user.
Animation Trigger
After the user was led to the tablet, the screen turned on and began to play an animation and the noise and flashing light turned off.
Leading Light Path
When the video animation was over, an animation of a light trail turned on and projected onto the floor. The direction of the flashing led the user to a door. The blue color of the lights on the ground and around the door were intentionally used to create a connection to the user and encourage them to approach the door. When approached, the door is triggered to open.
Automated Doors
When outside, the user is given enough previous information to be inclined approach the car and possibly explore the car, revealing the code on the front of the car. As the user approaches the car a bit closer, the doors open automatically suggesting that the user enters the car. The rest of the animation plays and the car doors open when they arrive at the destination.
Thematic Analysis
I decided to analyze the conversations and categorize them into themes through a card sorting exercise. It was very useful to refer back to the thematic items and themes during the design process.
Prototype
Design Goals
After conducting and analyzing my interviews, I was able to summarize a few findings in which I would design around.
One important finding during my user interviews was that bartenders will often educate their guests while making their drink.
1. Integrate an online presence and provide bartenders an alternate source of income.
2. Provide an easy way for patrons to book bartenders
3. Provide a COVID-friendly environment
One important finding during my user interviews was that bartenders will often educate their guests while making their drink.
1. Integrate an online presence and provide bartenders an alternate source of income.
2. Provide an easy way for patrons to book bartenders
3. Provide a COVID-friendly environment
Profile Selection
Users looking to hire a bartender can look through a catalogue of all available bartenders. Filters are available to help users find a bartender for their specific needs
Bartender Profile
Users can view the bartenders profile before making the decision to book.
On this page, users can view future classes that the bartender will be offering and can choose to sign up for the classes.
Users can also choose to book the bartender for a private event.
On this page, users can view future classes that the bartender will be offering and can choose to sign up for the classes.
Users can also choose to book the bartender for a private event.
Booking Flow
For the booking flow, I chose to incorporate a progress indicator to inform the user where they are while filling out the booking form.
The calendar was designed to allow users to select an available date.
The calendar was designed to allow users to select an available date.
Confirmation Page
A summary page is given at the end of the booking process to highlight important information before the user pays.
Design System
For Barbook's design system, Rufina was chosen to as the heading to give a sense of elegance. The color palette was created to create a feeling of class and importance.
Test
Calendar
While attempting to select a date, users couldn't tell what the outlined date and the blue and the red dates were trying to convey. They were also confused by the grayed out dates. One user mentioned, "why are some of the future dates grayed out, but the dates in the past aren't?"
The new design emphasizes the dates that are not available by staying grey and including a strike through line. The red dot indicates the date that the user selected
The new design emphasizes the dates that are not available by staying grey and including a strike through line. The red dot indicates the date that the user selected
Certain language was hard to understand for some users
In another usability test, one user mentioned that they were confused by the language of the user information form. In order to better communicate this to the users, I chose to add text that read "Your Information" and I added corners to the rounded edges because it better communicated a text box.
Conclusion
Through this project, I learned the value and importance of the role of research in a project. Defining my users helped better inform me when making my design decisions. For the next steps of this project, I would have done another round of usability testing, created prototypes for desktop/tablet sizes, and I would even be interested in implementing this into an actual website service.