Transportation for Elderly
UX Research
Presented at University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, Center for Connected and Automated Transportation.
Improving the in-vehicle experience to help the elderly and their caregivers to feel connected during an emergency and provide trouble-free navigation
Overview
The project aimed to improve the driving experience for seniors in automated vehicles, ensuring connectivity during emergencies and effortless navigation. Through user-focused research and innovative design solutions, our journey not only empowered aging drivers but also offered insights with broader implications for the future of smart car technology.
Problem
The problem identified through this study surrounded elderly people's need to feel connected to caregivers and/or family members while in the vehicle. Elderly individuals are characterized by reduced physical and cognitive abilities which are further linked to decreased ability to function as a whole. Hence, this may result in challenges such as loss of driver's license and increased problems in accessing and using other modes of transportation such as public transport
Process
Process
Empathize
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Literature reviews
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1-on-1 interviews
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Contextual inquiries
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User persona
In-Store Help
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24/7 Support
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Same-Day Delivery
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Personal Shoppers
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Online Orders
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Easy Returns
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Empathize
The project began with comprehensive literature reviews to grasp the current state of research in autonomous vehicles. Subsequently, the users were defined and contextual inquiries and one-on-one interviews were conducted. These interactions aimed to outline user skills, experiences, motivations, and shed light on their needs and trust concerns regarding autonomous vehicles. The research not only acquainted the team with contemporary trends and solutions but also provided insights into user groups typically considered by fellow researchers.
The team chose to concentrate on individuals aged 60 and above, categorizing both drivers and non-drivers, recognizing both as potential users of autonomous vehicles. Extreme user profiles were established for caregivers assisting elderly individuals in adopting autonomous vehicles, elderly individuals with cognitive disabilities, and law enforcement officers who might encounter elderly drivers facing cognitive or mobility challenges resulting in traffic violations. The research comprised of 10 one-on-one interviews, supplemented by 2 contextual inquiries involving firsthand observation of user behaviors during a real driving scenario.
Define
In the human-centered design process, the second step involved defining the problem statement derived from the initial empathy phase. This allowed the team to gain a deeper understanding and refine the study's scope based on user research. To define the problem, the team began by annotating findings using the coding method. This process included systematically highlighting user interview notes line by line to identify common themes and categories.
Initial problem statement before the empathize phase:
" Empower the elderly to feel more independent and mentally safe when adopting/using AVs by improving in vehicle experience because they feel more safe when they are in control."
Analysing data collected
Coding the data
Affinity mapping
Redefined user personas
Redefined problem statement:
" How might we improve the in-vehicle experience to help the elderly feel safe in an autonomous vehicle? "
Ideation method : Crazy 8s
Multiple brainstorming sessions were conducted among the team members to explore potential solutions for the established problem statement. Within a constrained timeframe of 8 minutes, each member sketched out eight distinct ideas based on "How Might We" statements. Following individual ideation, the team convened to review and vote on everyone's ideas, using colored markers on a Miro board. Iterative discussions led to the emergence of new concepts, ultimately leading to the identification of a solution aligned with insights gleaned from user interviews.
Final idea
The ultimate concept devised by the team was a connective app designed for use by the passenger or their caregiver. This app empowered the passenger to designate their emergency contact and select their preferred method of notification in case of an emergency—an essential insight revealed during user research. Additionally, the caregiver's phone could be linked to the vehicle, contingent on the passenger's consent for information sharing. This connection enabled the caregiver to monitor vehicle and passenger health and establish video and audio communication in case of emergencies directly from the vehicle.
Storyboards
Prototype
Poster Boards for UMTRI
