SEGURO
Smart Space
SmartSpace is a social distancing device that provides device-to-device tracing and asset management. SmartSpace triggers a warning if one gets too close and provides instant device-to-device tracing for businesses or communities under a controlled environment.
The mission of SmartSpace is to monitor the group's safety and to prevent downtime by identifying when, who, and for how long a team member has come in contact with someone at risk. People can be identified and quarantined without shutting down. The data is transferred to the secure cloud through mobile devices and is only viewable from the administrator portal.
CONTRIBUTIONS
User Experience
User Interface
Industrial Design
Packaging Design
UX Research
As part of the Acorn design team, our user experience study delved into the feasibility and usability of social distancing devices (SDD) in response to the pandemic. Sourcing participants from diverse industries, we curated survey questions to discover insights into their workplace dynamics and behaviors.
Analysis of this data yielded valuable observations and formed the basis of user experience takeaways. To glean meaningful insights into user needs and preferences, we categorized representatives into three key user groups: champions, naysayers, and swing users. Subsequent follow-up interviews with these groups guided the final synthesis of our research findings, solidifying essential requirements and shaping the overall product mission. Our research strategically focused on three critical aspects vital for a successful SSD:
Understanding the value it offers to companies and users.
Determining the required level of employee compliance.
Identifying crucial considerations for the platform architecture.
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Prevalent social work culture in almost all workplaces, inevitability of in-person interaction.
Most respondents operate in open or shared spaces, emphasizing the value of SDDs for a secure working environment.
The common occurrence of multiple in-person meetings per day heightens exposure and risk.
Returning respondents express a heightened sense of safety, with a unanimous commitment to taking measures for protection.
Willingness to practice social distancing is widespread, recognizing SDDs as aids in managing day-to-day safety efforts.
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Willingness to adhere to social distancing is unanimous among respondents, with a commitment from all to take safety measures in the workplace.
SDDs contribute to maintaining a social work culture, ensuring employee safety and awareness of social distancing norms.
Strategic placement of SDDs at the front reception or security entrance enhances workplace safety measures.
Most respondents are situated within workplaces surrounded by others using SDDs.
Familiarity with office-issued devices like badges or key fobs is widespread, and respondents are open to the responsibility of charging.
Respondents commonly use portable devices to stay informed about work notifications.
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Respondents are accustomed to a mobile work environment, carrying office-issued equipment similar to SDDs.
Implement SDDs on shared equipment for notifications about potential exposure to symptomatic users.
The introduction of a check-in/out protocol requires familiarization among most respondents.
With nearly 100% of respondents regularly carrying phones, seamless tethering with SDDs is feasible.
Tethered SDDs can efficiently offload data to the user's smartphone app, allowing for a streamlined and minimal UI.
Familiarity with office-issued devices, like company badges/key fobs, is prevalent among respondents.
SDD form factor should promote constant user carry, accessibility, and unobtrusiveness to encourage consistent usage.
Mission Statement
The Seguro social distancing device is committed to maintaining a portable form factor, no larger than a badge or key fob, ensuring effortless wearability and discreet functionality. User interaction is kept to a minimum, prioritizing only essential social distancing feedback or alerts. The tethered device seamlessly integrates with a dedicated mobile/web app, providing additional functionalities for a safer, connected environment.
A Flexible Footprint
We prioritized a design that balanced the SSD's overall footprint and battery life to last a workweek between charges. It needed a comfortable form factor that would not interfere with users' work activities. It offered various attachment options similar to lanyards, clips, or retractable ID badges, similarly worn throughout the workday. The dual-tone stripe design provides ample co-branding possibilities, taking into consideration the preferences of corporate clients.
Defining Workflows
As a foundation for constructing and testing UI wireframes, we created comprehensive workflow diagrams delineating processes for admin and employee users. These workflows facilitated the refinement of product features. The User Portal includes account setup, device social distancing settings, battery level, messaging portal, interaction tracking functions, and a "Find My Device" mode. The Admin Portal expands on these capabilities, including contact tracing, group management, messaging, geofencing for specific work environments, and guest user sign-in.
Defining the GUI
In light of the circumstances surrounding the release of this product, we recognized the importance of not adding to the mental stress that users were already experiencing. We aimed to ensure the user interface maintained a minimal, calming look and feel. With this in mind, we opted for a greyscale color palette, reserving color for critical visual cues, and prioritized a straightforward workflow.
A Compact Package
The packaging design needed to accommodate the product, charging cable, and quick start guide. Emphasis on providing compact packaging, given that employers would purchase numerous devices per order.
From Concept to Reality
Seguro undertook a swift and comprehensive product development initiative in under eight months, resulting in the SmartSpace product and platform. This collaborative program engaged diverse teams, including engineering, design, marketing, and manufacturing. Working closely with Seguro, the design and engineering teams ensured the technical feasibility of the SmartSpace platform and aligned it with user specifications. Testing confirmed the platform's reliability, scalability, and security.
User-Driven SmartSpace
The design team's user research insights formed the foundation for Seguro's target audience's needs and preferences, steering design decisions across physical and digital product development. The design team crafted an intuitive and user-friendly interface for the SmartSpace platform, coupled with a flexible industrial design capable of blending seamlessly into any workspace.