AHONA BANERJEE
Next-Gen IoT-Enabled Campus Companion
IoT and AI enabled system
UX/UI
2021
Conceptualized and developed an intuitive mobile application for employees, leveraging AI and IoT technologies. The application facilitates seamless navigation and optimized travel experiences within the campus.
Project Brief
As a part of the smart campus initiative, a mobile app was designed for the employees, which enabled real-time location of buses and cabs on campus and real-time seat occupancy counts via Edge cameras running ‘people count algorithms’. Employees could book a cab or a bus service depending on their need and the availability of the vehicles. However, considering several factors likle the environment, carbon emission and operatin g cost, the design aims to promote the use of the bus services.
Problem Statement
Employees in an organization mostly preferred to book a cab and not a bus. This was aggravating the ineffectiveness of the overall campus commute system. This App had to be designed in a way that increases the preference and usage of bus service to reduces carbon footprint.
Product Objective
To design an intuitive mobile app for employees who work on the company campus. The app has to enhance end-user experience by providing-
1. Real-time availability & map-based insights of bus location
2. Real-time weather & traffic insights with updated ETA to destination
3. Increased Bus rides to reduced carbon footprint.
Solution
The commuting system is such a way that it allows loop services only from 10 AM- 4 PM. For the purpose of this case study, we split the journeys into 2 scenarios-
Scenario 2
7:30AM- 9AM, 5PM to 10:00PM Before and after Office Hours
Only Cabs
It was not feasible to provide with both cabs and buses outside of the office hours, so only on call cabs were available.
Scenario 1
9 AM — 5 PM Office Hours
Buses and Cabs
Buses and cabs both can be booked for commuting. During this time employees are encouraged to use the bus service.
How can we encourage people to book a shuttle more than a cab?
Option 1- Highlight loop option
Option 2- Keep cabs hidden
Option 3- Increase the number of clicks to cab
Empathy Map
Final Wireframes
Experience 1
Home screen: The default option of commute is set to ‘Loop’
Designing with Context
With messages which draw the user’s attention to upcoming loops like ‘There are 2 buses coming your way in next 3 mins’.
Furthermore, a list of top 3 loops' basis time of arrival is listed for users to choose from. They can either click on the bus details or see more buses by tapping the ‘View more’ button.
Experience 2
Message Ribbons: To encourage the employees to use a bus, messages were added as a part of the booking experience.
Story telling in Design
Right amount of control
Messages which draw the user’s attention to upcoming loops like
real-time Loop occupancy and ETA, gentle reminders
Real-time availability of loops and occupancy
Experience 3
My Ride Screen: It shows some crucial insights about user’s last rides.
Story telling in Design
Education through clarity
Using bus services frequently? Great!
Here’s how much you reduced carbon emission by using buses.
Not using buses frequently,..
Did you know? You could help reduce carbon emission by 30% by taking buses over cabs.
Know your bus route better
There comes a bus every 3 mins From ‘BF’ to ‘PAC’ on your regular commute time
Experience 4
Support Screen: Through this screen, users can provide information about unsatisfactory loop/cab services.
User feedback
The user can provide feedback and lodge complaints for recent or past rides.
This will enable better loop services in the future.
How did the product Perform?
Employees mostly preferred to book a cab and not a loop. This was aggravating the ineffectiveness of the overall campus commute system. The App has to be designed in a way that increases Loop shuttle usage and reduces carbon footprint. The Smart Transportation project has enabled clients on the Smart Campus Vision.
Operational efficiency increased by 20%
Introspect
I really learnt a lot during the course of this project. I gained the concept of smart cities and campuses and ways to integrate IoT and AI in creating enriching and rewarding experiences for both the management and the employees.
Although the business reports suggested it helped clients increase their operational efficiency, I wish I could take feedback from the real users of this app post its launch.