RENAULT SYMBIOZ AUTONOMOUS CAR APP: REDEFINING URBAN MOBILITY
Client
Renault
Sector
Automotive
Scope
Product, UX, UI,
Service Design
Brief: Renault asked us to develop innovative smart solutions for their autonomous, electric, and connected car concept, SYMBIOZ.
Objective: Address the challenges of urban parking by leveraging the capabilities of autonomous vehicles and connected car networks.
The Challenge
Urban drivers spend an average of 20 minutes searching for parking in city centers. This leads to:
- Decreased Quality of Life: Increased stress and wasted time.
- Economic Impact: Losses due to fuel consumption and delayed appointments.
- Environmental Concerns: Higher emissions from idling and circling vehicles.
- Noise Pollution: Increased traffic noise affecting city dwellers.
As cities increasingly implement no-car zones and parking becomes more restricted, there's a pressing need for solutions that integrate personal transportation with public transit systems.
Vision
To revolutionize urban mobility by creating a seamless integration between autonomous vehicles and public transportation, making city travel more efficient, convenient, and sustainable.
We envision a future where:
Seamless Connectivity: Autonomous cars and public transit systems are harmoniously connected, offering end-to-end transportation solutions without the hassle of parking or traffic.
Smart Drop-Off Points: Vehicles intelligently determine optimal locations to drop passengers, such as transit hubs or no-car zones, enhancing the efficiency of the journey.
Autonomous Parking Solutions: Cars independently locate and navigate to available parking spaces outside congested city centers, reducing urban clutter and parking search times.
Enhanced User Experience: Passengers enjoy a stress-free journey with real-time updates and the ability to monitor and control their vehicle remotely.
Environmental Sustainability: Reduced traffic congestion and emissions contribute to cleaner, quieter cities, aligning with global sustainability goals.
Collaborative Vehicle Networks: Connected cars share data on parking availability and traffic conditions, continuously improving the transportation ecosystem.
By leveraging Renault SYMBIOZ's autonomous and connected capabilities, our vision is to transform urban transportation into a more intelligent, user-centric, and eco-friendly experience, addressing the pressing challenges of modern cities and enhancing the quality of life for all urban dwellers.
The Solution
Solution Part A: Connected Car Network for Real-Time Parking
Utilizing the SYMBIOZ's connectivity:
Collective Intelligence: Each Renault autonomous car identifies empty parking spaces as it navigates.
Data Sharing: This information is shared across the Renault network in real-time.
Optimized Navigation: Cars searching for parking receive up-to-date locations of available spots, reducing search time.
Renault’s SYMBIOZ cars will be connected to a network where they can communicate to each other.
Solution Part B: Advanced Navigation Algorithm
Developed an algorithm that:
Multi-Modal Routing: Combines autonomous driving with public transportation options.
Real-Time Data Integration: Incorporates live parking availability from the Renault network.
Personalized Recommendations: Provides users with the fastest and most convenient routes to their destinations.
The Renault SYMBIOZ App
As the UX/UI designer, I crafted an app that serves as a central hub for users to interact with their autonomous vehicles.
Key Features
Seamless Trip Planning
Integrated Navigation: Plan routes that combine autonomous car travel with public transit.
Real-Time Updates: Access live data on parking availability and transit schedules.
Customizable Preferences: Set preferences for route types, transit modes, and parking options.
Remote Vehicle Monitoring
User Insight: Owners want assurance about their vehicle's status when operating autonomously.
Live Location Tracking: View the car's current position on a dynamic map.
Surroundings View: Access live video feeds from the car's exterior cameras.
Status Notifications: Receive alerts about the car's condition and any detected issues.
Flexible Pick-Up Scheduling
User Insight: Unpredictable schedules require adaptable pick-up arrangements.
Dynamic Rescheduling: Modify pick-up times directly within the app.
Smart Car Adjustments: The car responds by:
- Slowing its approach.
- Temporarily parking en route.
- Adjusting its route to match the new timing.
Pain Point: With user interviews, I have identified that the car owners would like to know the location and the status of their car once they left the car as the car is acting in the autonomous mode.
Solution: The user could remotely follow in the app status of the car by viewing any self-detectable situation as well as with an ability to watch the surrounding of the car with the built-in video cameras on the car.
Pain Point: Another pain point I identified was that once the user summons his car back to pick him/her up at a certain time, there might be an unexpected delay in the time the passenger will be ready. If it is a location where it is not possible for the car to wait, this could be a problem once the car arrives.
Solution: In this case, the user could request a delay for the pick-up time. In order to adjust its arrival time, the car would either
- slow down on the way,
- park in an available parking lot on the way,
- or make a detour.
Design Process
Step 1: User Research and Problem Identification
Our journey began with comprehensive desk research to uncover the most pressing issues faced by urban commuters and how the Renault SYMBIOZ's unique features could address them.
Market Analysis:
Studied urban transportation trends, city planning policies, and the rise of no-car zones.
Analyzed statistics revealing that drivers spend an average of 20 minutes searching for parking in city centers.
Identified the resulting impacts: stress, time wastage, increased emissions, and economic losses.
Understanding SYMBIOZ Capabilities:
Explored the autonomous driving, electric propulsion, and connectivity features of the SYMBIOZ car.
Assessed how these capabilities could be leveraged to solve identified user problems.
Team Discussions and Brainstorming:
Collaborative Workshops:
Brought together cross-functional team members to brainstorm potential solutions.
Encouraged open dialogue to generate innovative ideas aligning with SYMBIOZ's functionalities.
Problem Prioritization:
Evaluated various urban mobility challenges identified during research.
Prioritized the parking dilemma due to its significant negative impact on urban life and its solvability through SYMBIOZ's features.
Solution Alignment:
Mapped out how autonomous driving and car-to-car connectivity could alleviate parking issues.
Conceptualized integrating public transportation to create a seamless urban travel experience.
Step 2: In-Depth User Research
To validate our assumptions and gain deeper insights, we conducted user interviews and surveys:
User Interviews:
Spoke with frequent urban drivers to understand their daily challenges.
Explored their attitudes toward autonomous vehicles and public transportation integration.
Key Findings:
Desire for Transparency: Users want visibility into their autonomous car's actions when not in their direct control.
Need for Flexibility: Schedules can be unpredictable; users require adaptable solutions for pick-up and drop-off times.
Security Concerns: Assurance about the safety and security of their vehicle when operating independently.
Step 3: Ideation and Prototyping
Building on our research, we moved into the creative phase:
Concept Development:
Generated multiple concepts addressing the parking issue through SYMBIOZ's features.
Focused on solutions that integrate autonomous parking and real-time data sharing.
Wireframing:
Sketched preliminary layouts of the app's user interface.
Planned features that allow users to monitor and control their vehicle remotely.
User Flow Mapping:
Designed intuitive navigation paths within the app.
Ensured seamless interaction between trip planning, vehicle monitoring, and pick-up scheduling.
Interactive Prototypes:
Developed clickable prototypes with InVision to simulate the app experience.
Included key functionalities like real-time parking data, remote car monitoring, and dynamic scheduling.
Step 4: Testing and Iteration
To refine our solution, we engaged in iterative testing:
Usability Testing:
Conducted sessions with potential users to interact with the prototype.
Observed user behavior and collected feedback on app usability and functionality.
Feedback Analysis:
Identified pain points such as navigation confusion or feature misunderstandings.
Noted positive reactions to real-time monitoring and flexible scheduling features.
Design Refinement:
Improved UI elements and interactions based on user input.
User Journey Map
The elements of the User Journey:
Trip Initiation:User inputs destination into the app.
Receives optimized route combining autonomous driving and public transit.
Reviews and selects preferred options.
Vehicle Drop-Off:Car autonomously drives user to the selected transit station.
User is updated on parking plans for the vehicle.
Remote Monitoring:User can view the car's parking location and status at any time.
Receives notifications if any issues arise.
Return Trip Planning:User schedules a pick-up time and location.
Can adjust timing if plans change, with the car adapting accordingly.
Reunited with Vehicle:Car arrives as per the updated schedule.
User continues the journey to the final destination.
Impact and Future Outlook
Our award-winning "AutoPark" solution has the potential to significantly influence the future of urban transportation. Recognized by industry leaders the Groupe Renault and TechCrunch, our project demonstrates how innovative technology can address real-world challenges. By integrating autonomous vehicles with public transit and real-time parking data, we aim to:
Reduce Urban Congestion: Minimize traffic by decreasing the time vehicles spend searching for parking.
Lower Emissions: Cut down on unnecessary driving, contributing to environmental sustainability.
Enhance User Experience: Provide a seamless, stress-free journey through smart integration of transportation modes.
Support Sustainable Cities: Align with urban initiatives to reduce car dependency and promote cleaner, quieter environments.
Influence Industry Innovation: Our recognition highlights the industry's interest in practical, user-centric solutions, paving the way for wider adoption.
The acknowledgment from Renault and TechCrunch not only validates our approach but also emphasizes the importance of addressing urban mobility challenges with creative and feasible solutions. Our concept stands poised to shape future developments in autonomous vehicle services, contributing to smarter and more sustainable urban living.
Reflection
This project showcases how thoughtful design can harness technology to solve real-world problems. By focusing on user needs and leveraging the capabilities of autonomous vehicles, we can create smarter, more sustainable urban environments.
Recognition
Our innovative solution received notable recognition at the Groupe Renault TechCrunch Hackathon during the 2018 Vivatech Show. Competing among 16 teams, we were awarded First Place for our "AutoPark" project. The jury, comprised of Renault's autonomous vehicle specialists, praised our solution for its real-world applicability and potential for rapid implementation. Our project was also highlighted in an official Renault article covering the event, underscoring its alignment with Renault's vision for the future of autonomous mobility.
