How Can We Re-Imagine Wilderness Navigation?
4 Weeks | 150 Hours | 2023
Skills | User Research, User Experience, Iteration, Ergonomics
Software | Solidworks, Keyshot, Adobe Suite
How Can We Re-Imagine Wilderness Navigation?
4 Weeks | 150 Hours | 2023
Skills | User Research, User Experience, Iteration, Ergonomics
Software | Solidworks, Keyshot, Adobe Suite
Off-Trail Hiking (Bushwacking) Is Hard To Get Into
Off-Trail Hiking (Bushwacking) Is Hard To Get Into
A niche sport that's become more popular recently, bushwhacking is the act of navigating and hiking through unmarked/unrouted terrain and ecosystems.
It's not really easy to start however.
A niche sport that's become more popular recently, bushwhacking is the act of navigating and hiking through unmarked/unrouted terrain and ecosystems.
It's not really easy to start however.
Head-Down Loop
Head-Down Loop
Navigation can quickly become frustrating when users have to repeatedly look down to check a map or GPS device to make sure, they're on track.
Navigation can quickly become frustrating when users have to repeatedly look down to check a map or GPS device to make sure, they're on track.
Sparse Community
Sparse Community
Bushwhacking is pretty disjointed; you'd need to find people in person or scrub through various niche forums to get practical advice on how to start.
Bushwhacking is pretty disjointed; you'd need to find people in person or scrub through various niche forums to get practical advice on how to start.
Dated Gear
Dated Gear
Wayfinding technology isn't very optimized for an intuitive user flow. They can be pretty confusing to use especially for a beginner.
Wayfinding technology isn't very optimized for an intuitive user flow. They can be pretty confusing to use especially for a beginner.
Design Criteria
Design Criteria
Engage
Can we use other senses to create a more intuitive experience?
Can we use other senses to create a more intuitive experience?
Comfort
Can we provide the user with more confidence in their direction?
Can we provide the user with more confidence in their direction?
Guide
Plain and simple, how do we point the way?
Plain and simple, how do we point the way?
Defining The Direction Through Acting Out User Flow
Defining The Direction Through Acting Out User Flow
Interaction testing was prioritized using abstract physical forms to identify our final concept direction. We picked glasses as it was a hands free solution and solved the head down loop.
Interaction testing was prioritized using abstract physical forms to identify our final concept direction. We picked glasses as it was a hands free solution and solved the head down loop.
A Cross Between Safety Goggles and Sports Glasses
A Cross Between Safety Goggles and Sports Glasses
Combining safety, durability, and sports aesthetics. Creating a visual balance of protection and speed.
Combining safety, durability, and sports aesthetics. Creating a visual balance of protection and speed.
Iterating on Final Form Through Sketching and CAD
Iterating on Final Form Through Sketching and CAD
Combining safety, durability, and sports aesthetics. Creating a visual balance of protection and speed.
Combining safety, durability, and sports aesthetics. Creating a visual balance of protection and speed.
Multi-Sensory Functional Prototype with Motion Tracking
Multi-Sensory Functional Prototype with Motion Tracking
We created a works-like model and experience, pairing both visual AND auditory input by mapping custom sound effects in 3D space.
We created a works-like model and experience, pairing both visual AND auditory input by mapping custom sound effects in 3D space.
HORIZON
sorry, not optimized for small windows,
try going full screen.
sorry, not optimized for large windows,
try going smaller.
Hingeless Design To Communicate Reliability
Hingeless Design To Communicate Reliability
Hinges were replaced with a continuous titanium spine.
This structure provided strength, lightness, and comfort.
Hinges were replaced with a continuous titanium spine.
This structure provided strength, lightness, and comfort.
Form Language Blends Approachability and Fashion
Form Language Blends Approachability and Fashion
Horizon balances practical function with high-speed aesthetics using a frameless, edge-to-edge lens.
Color accents highlight key touchpoints to bridge the gap between fashion and technology.
Horizon balances practical function with high-speed aesthetics using a frameless, edge-to-edge lens.
Color accents highlight key touchpoints to bridge the gap between fashion and technology.
Motion + Spacial Tracking Creates Intuitive Navigation
Motion + Spacial Tracking Creates Intuitive Navigation
Active Search mode guides users through peripheral light and 3D spatial audio. A physical notch on the right temple toggles the navigation system.
Active Search mode guides users through peripheral light and 3D spatial audio. A physical notch on the right temple toggles the navigation system.
Off-Route Alert to Encourage Confidence During Exploration
Off-Route Alert to Encourage Confidence During Exploration
Horizon triggers auditory and visual alerts when users veer off-route. A green flash and positive sound confirm return to the preset path.
Horizon triggers auditory and visual alerts when users veer off-route. A green flash and positive sound confirm return to the preset path.
Conscious Speaker Placement
Conscious Speaker Placement
On-board speakers are positioned right above the ears to ensure clear audio in dense environments
On-board speakers are positioned right above the ears to ensure clear audio in dense environments
Marker Button and Tactile Route Info Browsing Dial
Marker Button and Tactile Route Info Browsing Dial
Route creation establishes waypoints to monitor distance and duration. Custom waypoints track specific destinations. A rotary dial facilitates browsing between markers. The left-side marker button saves current positions and points of interest for future review.
Route creation establishes waypoints to monitor distance and duration. Custom waypoints track specific destinations. A rotary dial facilitates browsing between markers. The left-side marker button saves current positions and points of interest for future review.
Blue Dots Indicate Browsing
Blue Dots Indicate Browsing
The light turns to smaller blue colored dots when switching between different route waypoints.
The light turns to smaller blue colored dots when switching between different route waypoints.
Dawn, Dusk, Midnight
Dawn, Dusk, Midnight
CMF color options for personalization.
CMF color options for personalization.
Downloading Offline Data Cache Through Community Based Web Services
Downloading Offline Data Cache Through Community Based Web Services
Our concept website/broader company Meridian.com facilitates route creation and community sharing. Completed routes download to the charging case for offline caching.
Our concept website/broader company Meridian.com facilitates route creation and community sharing. Completed routes download to the charging case for offline caching.
Testing Out The User Flow Through Narrative Video
Testing Out The User Flow Through Narrative Video
A short narrative video visualized the user journey and interaction steps.
A short narrative video visualized the user journey and interaction steps.