Ayumi's portfolio

An urban mobility intelligence prototype refined and tested by 15+ electronic scooter riders.

This project interrogates the relationship between user control and automation, particularly with an innovative level 3 semi-autonomous electronic scooter.

From implementing poka-yoke, error-proof mechanisms to encouraging active partnership between the user and the system through implied cognitive friction, this is a comprehensive exploration of how design can enhance safety and usability without losing sight of user delight.

To safely operate a level 3 semi-autonomous driving vehicle, the driver must stay vigilent and attentive, ready to take over at any moment.

How do we design an AI integrative system that keeps human in the loop, activates system II thinking when desired, and ultimately promotes active partnership between the user and the system?

Overview

Duration

2 months

Team

Erin Sawyer

Lillian Hao

Ayumi Lee

Tools

Contextual analysis

Task analysis

Pretotyping

Moderated user testing

Wireframing

Rapid prototyping

High-fidelity prototyping

Platform

Electronic scooter

Embedded intelligent system

We targeted students from CMU and the University of Pittsburgh due to their frequent scooter use and accessibility for research.

This intensive project explores the human-in-the-loop model for a forward-looking e-scooter, requiring a rapid yet deep understanding of both technology and user behavior.

Based in Pittsburgh, our team conducted field research and identified CMU and UPitt students as ideal users due to their frequent scooter use and availability for follow-up studies.

Electronic users promise a lightweight commute experience in Pittsburgh

Electronic users promise a lightweight commute experience
in Pittsburgh

Talk to a scooter around the city, you will find them unconsciously comparing electronic scooters to electronic bikes and walking. It's perfect for a trip to coffee 10-15 mins away without breaking a sweat.

Talk to a scooter around the city, you'll find them comparing electronic scooters to electronic bikes and walking. It's perfect for a trip to coffee 10-15 mins away without breaking a sweat.

Travelling with an electronic scooter is a highly individualised experience as Pittsburgh bans rental electronic scooter business.

Electronic scooters in Pennsylvania are exclusively privately owned. Rental services are prohibited by state law, so no branded rental scooters are present on streets.

It's stressful to scoot around as riders must actively navigate hilly terrain and frequent road construction around campus.

Our team documented our field trip observations on this map to synthesis learnings.

Notice the purple and red zones – these are areas with slopes and ongoing constructions. They require constant speed adjustments and careful navigation on uneven roads within the compact campus.

3 design principles to guide our ideation process

Minimal

Minimal necessary actions to achieve desired results.

Safe

Fail-safe interactions and poka-yoke designs that guide users through important choices.

Whimsical

Delightful everyday actions as user’s long-term commute partner.

A risk-based user journey model using the bull's eye approach

We organized our synthesized user journey into a bull's-eye diagram, prioritizing safety and risk as guiding principles. The inner ring represents the riskiest experiences requiring immediate user attention and involving significant state changes, such as the switch between autonomous and manual riding.

We organized our synthesized user journey into a bull's-eye diagram, prioritizing safety and risk as guiding principles. The inner ring represents the riskiest experiences requiring immediate user attention and involving significant state changes. The outer ring contains complementary, low-risk elements that support the core user flow.

Mid-risk events involve frequent user behaviors, like pathfinding and listening to music, that have less severe consequences when mistakes occur. The design goal is to enable user engagement while minimizing distractions.

We organized our synthesized user journey into a bull's-eye diagram, prioritizing safety and risk as guiding principles. The inner ring represents the riskiest experiences requiring immediate user attention and involving significant state changes. The outer ring contains complementary, low-risk elements that support the core user flow.

The outer ring encompasses low-risk, complementary actions that are essential for a smooth experience. These include status updates and system health checks, providing helpful context without demanding immediate attention.

We organized our synthesized user journey into a bull's-eye diagram, prioritizing safety and risk as guiding principles. The inner ring represents the riskiest experiences requiring immediate user attention and involving significant state changes. The outer ring contains complementary, low-risk elements that support the core user flow.

Differentiating the switch between autonomous and manual driving using a physical dial

Autonomous driving, our key feature, implies a state change where users need to understand when they can relax versus when they must take control.

We conceptualised a digital interface for this action, but soon after user testing we learned that this mechanism is mistake-prone, is subject to fat-finger mistake, and sacrifies limited screen real estate for other less critical contextual information like navigation.

In the end, we designed a physical dial so users switch between manual and autonomous modes by rotating left or right. Its tactile nature and requirement for larger movements reduces errors and distinguishes it from less critical functions.

A centralised dashboard to consolidate critical information into a single, focused viewing area.

The dial incorporates a circular interface, consolidating critical information in one focused viewing area. This central display presents important, contextual data, minimizing eye and head movement while scooting. Its location differentiates it from manual driving controls on the handlebar, while providing visual balance and aesthetic appeal.

This design ensures essential information is always where it needs to be, enhancing both functionality and user experience.

Promoting active partnership through added cognitive friction: a breathing exercise

The scooter initiation process requires users to face the screen for facial recognition. This not only serves as a security measure but also leverages the psychological principle that self-reflection prompts responsible behavior.

By engaging users with their own image during unlocking, we aim to activate their sense of social responsibility as motorists sharing the road, echoing studies on the positive effects of self-awareness on prosocial behavior.

Promoting active partnership through added cognitive friction: countdown in between mode switch

We introduced cognitive friction through a countdown during mode changes in the driving system. This design choice ensures that users are actively engaged and prepared to take control if the system detects unusual events or challenging terrains, seamlessly transitioning to manual driving when necessary.

Integration with existing mobile navigation solutions

The team initially explored voice input for destination entry in response to limited screen space for precise tactile controls. However, challenges quickly emerged in user testing sessions: users would need to adapt to an unfamiliar interaction method, creating unnecessary friction for a task they already perform intuitively through other means. Additionally, correcting input errors via voice could further complicate the experience.

The team initially explored voice input for destination entry in response to limited screen space for precise tactile controls. However, challenges quickly emerged in user testing sessions: users would need to adapt to an unfamiliar interaction method, creating unnecessary friction for a task they already perform intuitively. Additionally, correcting input errors via voice could further complicate the experience.

To overcome these challenges, we leveraged familiar interactions for smoother route planning. The latest prototype integrates with major navigation apps on smartphones, connecting to the scooter via Wi-Fi to ensure accuracy and ease of use.

Eventually, we leveraged familiar interactions for smoother route planning. The latest prototype integrates with major navigation apps on smartphones, connecting to the scooter via Wi-Fi to ensure accuracy and ease of use.

Integration with existing music streaming solutions

The same logic extends to music, a popular companion for riders. Rather than requiring users to navigate new interfaces, the system integrates with existing streaming platforms on their smartphones.

Music controls appear contextually when connected, using minimal space without disrupting essential functions.

Infusing delight into complementary everyday actions through motion

We made everyday complementary actions whimsical through thoughtful motion design, ensuring they feel engaging rather than overlooked.

Motion not only adds enjoyment but also serves a functional purpose, helping users intuitively navigate the system's layered architecture, even within a flat interface.

Bringing everything together after testing with 15+ riders

By the end of the project, our team of three delivered a high-fidelity scooter prototype, refining form, interactions, and visuals to capture the project’s forward-thinking vision.

Reach out via LinkedIn↗ or email↗

Reach out via LinkedIn or email for more behind-the-scenes.

for more behind-the-scenes.

Urban mobility intelligence for delightful scooter commute

Automated crypto investment

Urban mobility intelligence for delightful scooter commute

Urban mobility intelligence for scooter commute

Master in Human-computer Interaction @ CMU, 2024

Master in HCI @ CMU, 2024