NAVI

Oct-Dec 2024

A wearable device that aids street navigation and supports route learning.

ROLE

UX/UI Design · 3D Modeling · Prototyping

TOOLS

Solidworks · Figma · Keyshot

PROBLEM

Older adults often experience cognitive and visual decline, making it difficult to navigate safely and confidently in urban environments.

SECONDARY

For younger people, reliance on navigation apps is associated with a poor sense of direction and lessens the ability to create/maintain cognitive maps.

RESEARCH

Aging Population

Cognitive decline affects memory, decision-making, learning, thinking abilities.

Physical health decline affects their mobility, dexterity, vision, and hearing.

Resulting in increased isolation and the loss of independence and purpose.

Younger Population

Constantly facing the phone for directions can be unsafe in large urban cities.

Technology dependence on GPS affects their navigation with lowered way-finding abilities to learn new layouts or routes.

Navigation apps allow people to say connected to their community (ex. Apple’s Find My, Waze)

Lester, Adam W et al. “The Aging Navigational System.” Neuron vol. 95,5 (2017): 1019-1035. doi:10.1016/j.neuron.2017.06.037

Cognition & Navigation

Path Integration: updating information of perceived self-motion to keep track of position and orientation during travel

Landmark-based: visual landmarks and other environmental information for homing, reorientation, and wayfinding

IDEA

A wearable device that uses haptic feedback to guide users along their route, encouraging screen-free travel and helping users learn layouts and routes more effectively.

The paired mobile app allows users to preload routes and connect with others, ensuring seamless navigation without relying on constant screen use.

PROTOTYPE

Haptic Feedback - Vibration Motor

FINAL

How It Works

To orient the user in the a direction, the left or right device pulses and blinks until the user is oriented. 

The central button is used to start or pause route. For bluetooth pairing, hold for 3 seconds.

Features

Primary Sensor

  • Haptics: Vibrations

Secondary Sensors

  • Sight: Green LED

  • Sound: Text-to-Speech Option

Spring Watch Mechanism

  • Customizable

Materials

  • Nylon Adjustable Band: Elastic, Waterproof

  • TPE Plastic: Soft, Rubber Feel

Mobile App Prototype

Users can paste addresses, saved addresses, or the location of their friends to load a route into the device. 

Technology Used: Bluetooth Low Energy, Crowd GPS, Ultra-Wideband Range