NODE and ABUV
222 Solutions was a 10-week project that took place in a hybrid environment during the Pandemic. We were required to make a solution with a physical prototype that uses an Arduino. My primary role in this project was being the team’s Project Lead. I also took lead on the UI design, branding, vision video, and content strategy. I participated in creating low-fidelity iterations, and high-fidelity mockups.
In 2020, Rideshare drivers had become increasingly more responsible for the cleanliness of their vehicles to ensure the safety of themselves and their passengers. This increased responsibility takes away valuable time that drivers used to have to gain more equity.
We sought to learn what was being done to help these drivers and riders get back to some form of normalcy.
At this time, there was little to no support from Rideshare services to support drivers. But in July 2020, Uber had an idea!
Uber and Clorox started a partnership to provide their drivers with the tools to keep their riders safe. They sought to usher in a new age of vehicular cleanliness , and to accomplish this momumental task... they sent a total of 600,000 wipe canisters to split between drivers in three cities. It’s okay though — they had said they might add more.
While alcohol wipes are the most effective, cleaning for a long period of time can induce wear on certain materials like leather, cloth and plastics. Thus, the constant usage of cleaning chemicals can lead to the permanent damage of a vehicle’s interior.
Based on what we found through secondary research, we were curious to hear the perspectives of many different types of people. We looked to speak to:
- rental car users
- daily commuters
- rideshare users
- Doordash and Instacart drivers
to hear their perspectives on their industries, sanitation standards, and concerns surrounding it.
The team collected 58 survey responses, conducted 14 interviews, and made 50+ observations. Some of the research methods we used included:
Observations to gather firsthand data by observing how often people used some sort of sanitization, when they put on or took off a mask, and much more.
Surveys that were distributed to a subreddit as well as people we knew who fell into our target audience age, occupation or concerns.
Interviews with drivers and riders within context whenever possible. Due to COVID-19, it was not feasible for most of the interviewees. Fortunately, Uber drivers were still active in the Savannah area, and we decided to ask drivers questions during a prepaid trip to distant locations.
This variety of research methods were used to better understand and design for our target audience.
Primary research takeaways
People feel cleaning habits and sanitation precautions should stay long after the end of the Pandemic.
People like seeing the efforts of others mitigating the spread of COVID-19.
Cleaning the car interior is important to people, but very difficult to perform.
Rideshare drivers have multiple jobs in order to survive and support their families.
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Based upon our initial market research, there was one technology that really caught our eye: Germicidal UVC light. Our initial impression was that these devices were for medical use and harmed humans, but we later found a more promising technology....
To continuously and safely disinfect occupied indoor areas, researchers at Columbia University have been investigating far-UVC light (222 nm wavelength). As of June 2020, manufacturers of UVC technology have begun designing and manufacturing affordable and effective far-UVC products that will likely become implemented within the near future.
Far-UVC light cannot penetrate the tear layer of the eye or the outer dead-cell layer of skin, so it cannot reach or damage living cells in the body.
Based on their findings, the researchers estimate that continuous exposure to far-UVC light at the current regulatory limit would kill 90% of airborne viruses in about 8 minutes, 95% in about 11 minutes, 99% in about 16 minutes, and 99.9% in about 25 minutes.
A far-UVC sanitizing ecosystem comprised of two devices that provide rideshare drivers with a harmless, intuitive, and effective tool that promotes a clean and comfortable vehicle environment. The devices actively sanitize the air and surfaces for an unmatched level of sanitization with minimal human interaction.
A far-UVC sanitizing ecosystem
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222 Solutions addresses the key challenges in the rideshare industry post-pandemic with a uniquely safe, effective, and user-friendly approach, making it a superior choice for drivers prioritizing both health and efficiency.
Far-UVC light at 222 nm allows for continuous operation around humans without safety concerns. This continuous disinfection capability is especially critical in rideshare vehicles, which see a constant flow of different passengers.
For drivers, the 222 ecosystem can seamlessly integrate into real-world rideshare apps and services. NODE and ABUV can send live data analytics to a driver app and can be controlled remotely. A Deep Clean triggers both devices to clean together until the vehicle is 99.9% sanitized.
For riders, drivers with 222 products are shown with a unique badge. The app will notify users of the vehicle's sanitization progress before and during trips. If users are concerned about far-UVC, they can read about the technology in a dedicated learning section.
Far-UVC light spans from 207-222 nanometers (nm) on the light spectrum. It is a specific band of ultraviolet (UV) light that is extremely effective at disabling pathogens in the air and on surfaces.
Far-UVC light cannot penetrate the dead skin layers of our flesh and the tear layer of our eyes. It is strong enough to disable pathogens because they have little to no protective layers.
Recent studies have concluded that 222‐nm UVC lamps are the most effective and can be safely used near humans. There has been no evidence of any cancer development after prolonged far-UVC exposure.
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