GuardPup is a companion for urban women living alone, providing peace of mind. It seamlessly blends security features with elements of companionship, ensuring every home feels both safeguarded and connected.
10 weeks:
Yiwen Teng (UX / UI Designer)
Mengjie Dong (Researcher)
Urban women living independently often grapple with feelings of vulnerability and isolation in their homes. Despite the proliferation of smart home devices, there's a noticeable gap in solutions that address both security concerns and the emotional challenges of solitary living.
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Out of 23 survey respondents,
92% rated their overall satisfaction with GuardPup at 4+/5.
Loneliness dropped to 25% with GuardPup, compared to a previous 65%.
"GuardPup breaks the mold of traditional smart home apps, placing user emotion and experience at the forefront. It's not just smart; it's empathetic." – Yujia Nie, (Visual Designer @ TikTok) Quote
"Having reviewed dozens of smart home apps, GuardPup genuinely stands out. It's not often we see a tool that recognizes the human side of tech." – Cathie Hao, (UI/UX Designer @ Tencent)
Piper, after a long day, feels unease in the elevator. As she approaches her door, still grappling with her nerves, her phone instantly vibrates.
GuardPup's sensors detect her nearing the door, and immediately send a comforting visual notification: "All is safe, Piper. Welcome home."
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1. Detect user close to the
door and ensure safely.
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2. Unlocked the Door
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3. Comforting Visual notification to chat.
As Piper steps inside, her 'pet' Momo—the AI speaker—greets her with a comforting "Welcome home!". Simultaneously, her app provides insights into her home's safety level.
Momo(AI Speaker) and GuardPup collaborate to activate 'home mode', filling the apartment with light. Additionally, the app displays a safety percentage and offers actionable tips on enhancing her home's security quotient, ensuring Piper is both informed and at ease.
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1. Detected user arrival and
has automatically switched
to home mode,
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2. making necessary adjustments like turning on lights or adjusting thermostats.
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3. Safety checklist focused on home security.
As 11 PM nears, Momo suggests bedtime. Nestling in, Piper checks GuardPup for a quick safety roundup.
'Sleep mode' ensures her home's security. On the app, Piper easily spots nearby safety zones through Securing Point, sees local residents' alerts via Post Demand, and gauges neighborhood safety with the color-coded Danger Rating.
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1. Sleep mode open with
safety maintenance device
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2. Shows nearby safety level
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3. Community safe-related news publish
Suddenly, an unexpected blackout occurs, plunging Piper's apartment into darkness.
GuardPup swiftly engages its emergency mode, activating emergency lights. The app reaffirms her home and surrounding safety, and additionally displays: "Momo has been guarding you for 182 days!" A reminder of Momo is unwavering vigilance, strengthening Piper's confidence amidst the uncertainty.
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1. Switching to emergency in case of electricity off
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2. Strengthening user confidence
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3. Switching to emergency mode upon detection of abnormal surrounding conditions
1. Rising Independence among Urban Women
62.7% of urban women now live alone, showcasing a shift in societal dynamics.
2. Safety Concerns are Paramount
Women have reported feeling unsafe or anxious due to spending more time alone.
3. The Need for Tailored Solutions
Given the evolving landscape, there's a burgeoning need to design solutions tailored for women living alone in big cities.
Survey (200+)
What prevalent emotions or concerns do urban women living alone frequently report in the survey?
User interviews (6)
How do individual experiences differ from one another in terms of personal safety and comfort?
Field Research (8)
What protective measures or tools were most commonly observed or utilized by women living alone during the field research?
Secondary research
what are the primary concerns shared across multiple platforms regarding the safety and well-being of girls living alone in urban areas?
Brainstorm
What are the most common external and internal factors that contribute to the feeling of fear or unease?
Empathy map
What are the potential interventions that could address concerns and needs, both in terms of safety and combating loneliness?
Persona & Experience map
What holistic insights and patterns emerge about the daily experiences, challenges, and needs of girls living alone?
How might we make her feel safe, feel accompany and eliminate unknown hazards.
User Story
As a woman living alone,
I want to feel secure and connected to my home at all times,
So I can enjoy my independence without feeling vulnerable.
Acceptance Criteria
I can get real-time alerts about my home's safety status, especially during late-night arrivals.
I have the ability to control home appliances and settings remotely to ensure a welcoming environment.
I can receive and manage deliveries safely without direct interaction.
My home environment adjusts to emergency situations automatically, enhancing my safety and confidence.
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Job story
When I'm transitioning through my daily activities,
I need my smart home system to adapt to my needs and provide security, comfort, and connectivity,
so that I can focus on living my life without unnecessary worries about personal safety or home management.
Situation-Action-Outcome
When arriving home late at night, the system detects my presence and ensures my path is secure.
While engaging in evening routines, my home automation allows me to manage tasks and relax with peace of mind.
As bedtime approaches, my system prepares my home for nighttime, securing locks and ensuring I have a restful, undisturbed sleep.
In case of emergencies, my system promptly notifies me and provides quick access to emergency services, while also keeping me informed about the duration of protection I've had.
Companion Presence
Engaging AI for company and support.
Empathetic Assurance
Personalized interactions for emotional comfort.
Preventative Insights
Anticipatory alerts for informed preparedness.
Autonomous Control
User habits dictate automated home responses.
Brainstorm
Desire for multifunctional devices that not only enhance home security but also offer emotional support.
Storyboard
Need for immediate and intuitive feedback, providing a seamless, comforting transition from public to private spaces.
Competitor Analysis
Ensure the solution is to achieve a sweet spot where high usability meets high user interest.
Sketch prototype
Paper prototype
Wireframes
Sketch
Prototype
Out of 23 survey respondents,
92% rated their overall satisfaction with GuardPup at 4+/5.
Loneliness dropped to 25% with GuardPup, compared to a previous 65%.
"GuardPup breaks the mold of traditional smart home apps, placing user emotion and experience at the forefront. It's not just smart; it's empathetic." – Yujia Nie, (Visual Designer @ TikTok) Quote
"Having reviewed dozens of smart home apps, GuardPup genuinely stands out. It's not often we see a tool that recognizes the human side of tech." – Cathie Hao, (UI/UX Designer @ Tencent)