OVERVIEW
What’s Navi all about?
Navi is an innovative wearable safety companion designed specifically to support night shift workers, combating drowsy driving through unobtrusive drowsiness detections.
Your Co-Pilot for the Commute Home
THE CHALLENGE
Night Shift Workers Need a Solution
Night shift workers face higher risk of drowsy driving accidents
Night shift workers are 40% more likely to experience a near-crash event on their commute home compared to daytime workers
37.8% of night shift workers reported falling asleep while driving at least once in the past year
Existing alert systems are loud & unreliable
We needed to create a subtle, cognitive-friendly wearable and digital experience to help users stay safe without disrupting their post-shift routine
THE GOAL
Subtlety Over Spectacle
We needed to create a non-intrusive, reliable, and emotionally supportive wearable and mobile system to:
22
High
Based on this score, we reccomend finding another ride home for the night.
33
High
Based on this score, we reccomend finding another ride home for the night.
75
High
Based on this score, we reccomend finding another ride home for the night.
Detect drowsiness in real-time
Ensures the users’ focus stays undisrupted
Tapping
Nudging
Swiping
Enhance user trust through discretion
Empower users with personalized Navi experience
Navi
9:41 AM
Don’t forget Navi on your ride home
Provide gentle, personalized alerts
Maintain the user’s peace of mind after their shift
UNDERSTANDING THE USERS
Who’s Navi For?
Our primary user base includes night shift workers across industries like health care, factory work, and emergency responders.
Key Insights
Through primary research methods with our target audience we uncovered 3 key insights that drove our design process and product strategy.
01
Drowsy driving leads to dangerous memory blackouts, even on short commutes.
02
Passive listening doesn’t prevent zoning out. Cognitive engagement is crucial.
03
Conversation helps. Night shift workers already seek out interaction as a fatigue-fighting strategy.
RESEARCH & DISCOVERY
Exploring Research Methods
Due to project scope and timeline, our research phase served to help us discover the problem space and carve a unique selling proposition for navi.
Competitive Analysis
Surveying and analyzing the competitor market
Scientific Literature Review
Discovering and analyzing the problem space
Likes the feel of it on her head
didn’t feel like it was going to fall off; said it felt secure but not tight.
felt like they could throw it on without adjusting anything
Sugested exploring other options for ear cuff
Feels very snug and comfortable. Could see herself wearing for 40 minute drive home
It slays
Think about possibilities of it being obstructed by hair
Feels pretty comfortable
Would want case to fit snug in a specific part of the car like middle or front console
Really likes the form very unobtrusive
Would want to be able to choose between sound/haptics or both
Loves the overall shape of device
1-on-1 User Interview
Receiving insights from our target audience
Key Findings
Our key findings helped define the beginnings of our product strategy and feature prioritization.
Social and cognitive engagement helps fight drowsiness
EEG-based monitoring is promising, but comfort is crucial
Trust, personalization, and quiet support increase long-term use
IDEATION & DESIGN PROCESS
From Concept to Prototype
We worked iteratively through concept sketching→ physical prototyping → digital flows → interactive UI.
Early Wearable Prototyping
During early rapid prototyping we focused on establishing optimal form factors for extended comfort during long drives
Early Prototypes
Initial User Testing
We tested our prototypes and moved forward with the most optimal form factor based on user feedback.
We tested Navi prototypes on 8 people...
Likes the feel of it on her head
didn’t feel like it was going to fall off; said it felt secure but not tight.
felt like they could throw it on without adjusting anything
Sugested exploring other options for ear cuff
Feels very snug and comfortable. Could see herself wearing for 40 minute drive home
It slays
Think about possibilities of it being obstructed by hair
Feels pretty comfortable
Would want case to fit snug in a specific part of the car like middle or front console
Really likes the form very unobtrusive
Would want to be able to choose between sound/haptics or both
Loves the overall shape of device
Users Loved
Overall shape and feel
Unobtrusive form
Could forget that it’s on
Easy to wear
Users Wanted
Control over the feedback
Snug fit case to live in their car
Customizable fit
Alternative fit on the ear
Control over the feedback
Snug fit case to live in their car
Alternative fit on the ear
Mid-Term Model
After exploring user feedback, we began 3D modeling. The result was imperfect but we were on the right track!
Strengths
Lightweight
Good sensor-to-skin contact
Weaknesses
Sensor feels obtrusive
Flimsy
Final Model
Our final model features a lightweight, ergonomic headset with an EEG sensor that prioritizes sensor-to-skin contact and long-term wearability.
Wireless EEG Sensor
Microphone and speaker
Soft Sillicone
Drowsiness Detection
Audio Activities
Physical Wearable
USER TESTING & HI-FI DEVELOPMENT
Bringing Navi to life
Post user testing we went full steam ahead in developing Navi’s physical and digital identity.
Low Fidelity
Defining Navi’s digital experience was our top priority, we began with digital wireframes that represented our core features.
Good Evening, Kenzie!
Feeling Extra Tired?
Quick Focus Exercise
Device Status
Charge
Paired
Paired
Set the vibe for tonights drive
Profile
Voice
Haptics
Tone
Quiet
Charismatic
Volume
Interaction
Quiet
Charismatic
Mostly Passive
Fully Interactive
Voice
Haptics
Level
Type
Quiet
Charismatic
Profile
Your Weekly Library
Games
Trivia
Topics
Mid Fidelity
In our mid fidelity stages we introduced Navi’s brand identity to allow our user testing participants to interact with the design in a way that mimics the experience of the final product.
User Testing Methodologies
As part of our User testing plan, we employed task completion for Navi’s core features, short guided interviews, as well as system usability scaling (SUS).
Task Success Rate
SUS Rating
#
1
Take the drive assessment
Book an Uber x home
Do 1 round of the focus exercise
Connect with a co-pilot
Start and end a call with Casey
Navigate to the activity library
Favorite “Life under the sea”
Find your saved activites
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Tasks
Success Rate
100%
80%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
90%
94%
High Fidelity Development
Our usability testing proved fairly successful, we received actionable feedback that drove our high-fidelity designs.
Navi works to...
Detect
Prevent
Alert and Engage
Prevent
Helps users recognize fatigue before getting behind the wheel with pre-drive check-ins and risk indicators.
Detect
Uses cutting-edge wireless EEG technology to monitor brain activity and detect early signs of drowsiness in real time.
Alert and Engage
Keeps the mind stimulated with light interaction options like audio prompts or focus check-ins during the drive.
PROJECT TAKEAWAYS
Final Notes and Reflection
Reflecting on the Navi experience, I grew significantly as a designer. Here are three important lessons that shaped my approach to design and user experience.
Subtlety in UX - Working on Navi showed me firsthand how powerful subtle, thoughtful UX design can be. I learned that gentle, unobtrusive interactions could significantly boost user safety and comfort.
Designing for Accessibility - This project emphasized the importance of accessibility in my design approach, prioritizing clear visuals, intuitive interactions, and making sure everyone can easily use the product.
Listening, learning, and Improving - Through constant user feedback and multiple design iterations, I discovered the real value of empathy-driven design which reinforced my commitment to user-centered decisions.
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