![[222-solutions.png]] 222 Solutions was created in a hybrid setting during the pandemic. I served as the Project Lead and also led the UI design, branding, vision video, and content strategy. I helped create both low-fidelity iterations and high-fidelity mockups. `Format: Mobile, Physical product` `Role: Project Lead` `Timeframe: 10 weeks` `Date: 2021` Winner: [2021 Indigo Design Award - Gold](https://www.indigoaward.com/winners/3518) --- # A life-altering moment #### The problem: In 2020, the world faced an unprecedented global health crisis that fundamentally altered our daily lives. Among those deeply affected were people in the transportation industry, who found themselves at the forefront of a new, daunting challenge: ensuring the utmost cleanliness in their vehicles to protect themselves and their passengers. ![[rideshare.png]] #### The goal: The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted many industries, with the transportation sector being one of the most impacted[1](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8554112/#:~:text=Further%2C%20the%20pandemic%20has%20raised,by%2075%25%20from%20April%202019.). Ridesharing companies like Uber and Lyft saw demand plummet by 20% in the first two weeks of the pandemic[](https://www.fhlawgroup.com/post-pandemic-rideshare-may-look-different-in-texas/). As a UX designer, I wanted to explore how the rideshare experience could be improved for both drivers and riders in a post-pandemic world. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, we aimed to innovate within the heavily impacted rideshare industry by: - Understanding the current situations of drivers - Prototyping ideas through user tests with functional models - Validating the technology used in the solution for product-market fit This project showcased the importance of user-centered design in creating innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of both drivers and riders in the rideshare industry. Skip to [[#The solution]] # Desk research 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 monumental 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. ![[uber-clorox.png]] 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.** # Primary research 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. ![[Pasted image 20240815200744.png]] ![[Pasted image 20240815200759.png]] ![[Pasted image 20240815200810.png]] ![[Pasted image 20240815200817.png]] #### Primary research takeaways 1. **Post-pandemic hygiene** People feel cleaning habits and sanitation precautions should stay long after the end of the Pandemic. 2. **Visible mitigation efforts** People like seeing the efforts of others mitigating the spread of COVID-19. 3. **Interior challenges** Cleaning the car interior is important to people, but very difficult to perform. 4. **Financial pressure** Rideshare drivers have multiple jobs in order to survive and support their families. # User personas ![[Pasted image 20240815201207.png]] # Current state journey map ![[Pasted image 20240815201222.png]] With the research, personas, and an idea of our persona journey maps, I had the team collaborate to define core principles to influence our product and brand. # Design Direction **01** We believe the solution has to work fast, while driving and between pickups. **02** We believe our solution would not harm passengers. **03** We believe our product should be effective on all materials found in the vehicle. **04** We believe our product should provide a visual cue that it is working effectively. **05** We believe our product should not degrade the interior of a car. **06** We believe our product should have a way to work automatically, as well as manually. **07** We believe our product should notify that it is effective. **08** We believe our solution should be mutually beneficial for drivers and passengers. Through the creation of the 8 pillars, I hoped encourage the team to generate features and concepts that would provide as much value as possible for the consumer through **an intuitive and comforting experience.** # Competitive analysis ![[Pasted image 20240815201306.png]] 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.... # Cutting-edge technology ![[Pasted image 20240815201341.png]] [View source](https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/news/far-uvc-light-safely-kills-airborne-coronaviruses) 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. ![[Pasted image 20240815201455.png]] 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. # Concepts ![[Pasted image 20240815201522.png]] Through the lean design thinking methodoloy, I had the team focus heavily on the physical product through crazy eights and . Later, two product-focused designers worked together to ideate the **form and interaction** of the devices. they later refined the sketches for creating a 3D model ![[Pasted image 20240815201532.png]] ![[Pasted image 20240815201537.png]] For crafting the user experience of the rideshare app, I had a teammate focus on the human/computer interaction areas of our solution. I had the team focus on implementing our features in **existing rideshare apps**; as opposed to creating a separate app. The teammate then **designed low-fi wireframes** for me to polish later on. # Prototyping and user testing ![[Pasted image 20240815202811.png]] A teammate made our initial low-fi physical prototypes out of pink foam. After user testing, I worked with him to develop our **mid-fi and high-fi physical prototypes** using a combination of 3d prints and vacuum-formed polystyrene. ![[Pasted image 20240815202858.png]] We performed a series of user testing and observations to test the **placement of our devices**. We also tested for interaction by providing the users with **scenarios and tasks** to interact with the devices both as a driver and passenger. ![[Pasted image 20240815202954.png]] ![[Pasted image 20240815203018.png]]  #### Finishing Touches After effectively user testing, modeling, 3D printing, and programming; our devices were finalized and ready for documentation. Pictured are the **final physical devices programmed and prototyped**. Below are the 3D renders I created. # The solution ![[Pasted image 20240815201649.png]] 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**. ![[Pasted image 20240815201631.png]] ![[Pasted image 20240815201708.png]] ![[Pasted image 20240815201714.png]] #### What are Node and Abuv? ![[Pasted image 20240815201735.png]] ![[Pasted image 20240815201747.png]] #### Why is it better? 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. ![[Pasted image 20240815201807.png]] #### Integration **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. ![[Pasted image 20240815201829.png]] #### Far-UVC 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. ![[Pasted image 20240815201853.png]] ![[Pasted image 20240815201900.png]] # 222 vision video  #### Branding and Deliverables ![[Pasted image 20240815203233.png]] I was in charge of the overall visual design of our ecosystem and presentation, as well as branding for our devices and deliverables. ---- #### Any Questions? Thanks for making it all the way through this project! If you have any questions please **feel free to reach out to me at** [email protected] Get back to my homepage: [[Home]] Or view my other university project: [[Trucan]]