YUDO
Empowers individuals to come together and support one another in their local community
Overview
The Problem
In my experience as a new driver, many roadside issues like flat tires and dead batteries require assistance from roadside services. However, the current system is often slow and can cause inconvenience and safety risks. A more efficient system is necessary to address these frequent and urgent problems.
How can we quickly and safely assist people with simple requests or needs?
Category
Product design, logo design
Timeline
Winter 2021
2 Months
The Solution
Yudo is a platform that seeks to improve community support by offering a more comprehensive and user-friendly alternative to existing solutions. By addressing some of the limitations of traditional services, Yudo aims to connect individuals who need help with those who can provide it in a seamless and accessible way.
Design Process
I applied IDEO’s human-centered design process to find an innovative solution to this problem.
My role
UX Researcher, UX Designer, Visual Designer, Logo Designer
Tools
Sketch, Marvel, InVision, Illustrator
Design Highlights
Competitive Analysis
After the apps was selected, I conducted a competitive analysis against similar apps and tools available online.
Through this, I learned about what factors to use when analyzing different businesses. It taught me to look beyond just the features and also consider the strengths and weaknesses of each competitor as a whole. It helped me realize that some of the user needs are not being met with tools currently on the market. I could leverage on my design to create a more effective application.
Currently, there are various apps in the market that cater to some of the needs of our users. However, there is no product that offers instant pairing services utilizing geolocation technology to efficiently connect resources together. Furthermore, apart from the automation section, there is a lack of support for everyday household chores and individual tasks that are commonly needed within the local community.
Persona
Frustrations
● A lot of work for simple problems
● No service available at night or during weekends
● Difficulty speaking on the phone or filling out information online due to language barriers or privacy concerns
● Limited physical ability to perform heavy tasks.
Goals
● Receive quick and efficient help service for simple and heavy tasks
● 24/7 availability
● No need for extensive speaking or paperwork
● Personal information privacy
Bio
Happy is a full time finance assistant in a large company in Reno, Nevada.
Due to her work she often has to travel around the city late at night. Since her husband is the only one home to take care of the kids when she runs into trouble she does not want him to help her. However it is painful to wait for roadside assistance to arrive late at night.
Happy
01
Age: 23
Education: Community College
Hometown: Sacramento, California
Family: Living with her families
Occupation: Full-Time Accountant
“I travel a lot due to my work and sometimes I run into these roadside issues and nobody is close by to help me.”
02
Jessica
Age: 60
Education: College
Hometown: Carmichael, CA
Family: Living with her husband
Occupation: First responder
Frustrations
● Where I usually need help are in area that is lack of cell phone signal
● Hard to find roadside service in rare area.
● A lot of communication in between where I need to be responder for the emergency.
Goals
● Receive instant help in rare area.
● Quick and clean
● Personal information privacy
Jessica works at the state of California Department of Toxic Substances Control as a scientist. She is also a first responder in her department. She needs to go out in the field often due to her role. She encounters roadside issues a lot. Despite this, due to the location where she is usually found, it is difficult for her to get help in time.
Bio
"As a first responder who travels frequently within the state, I often have to pull over to answer emergency calls. This causes my car battery to run out frequently, leaving me stranded in hard-to-reach locations."
The inspiration for Yudo came from personal experiences encountering issues such as flat tires and difficulty starting a car in a parking lot.
Through these situations, I was fortunate to receive help from fellow community members, which sparked the idea for a mobile application that could connect people in need of assistance with willing helpers in their community. This led to the development of Yudo, a platform that aims to encourage and facilitate helping behavior among community members, ultimately creating a better world for all.
Storyboard
Happy got flat tire on her way travel to LA
Happy downloaded YUDO app and open it
Happy posted her first help request on YUDO
John sees the request and he is nearby to help
John helped Happy to change her tire
Happy is satisfied with John's help
Idea Development
List of features
● Registration Page (login/signup)
● Map with enable location
+ Create help request
+Compensation
● Feedback (Rating/ Tips)
User Flow
Low-fidelity Prototypes
High-fidelity Prototypes
Final Considerations and Reflections
Accessibility
Technical Feasibility
YUDO is very technically feasible. It can be built with existing software tools such as React.
Apps using similar technology currently exist such as Uber or food delivery apps that also require abilities/tools; they can be leveraged to create YUDO. The app would require a smartphone and the creation of a user profile.
Looking Back:
Reflections
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Throughout the entire process, I learned a lot about the importance of each step in the design-thinking process and how I could utilize each one to create a better design system. The course instructors placed a heavy emphasis on the "why", leading to a greater understanding of research tools and when to use them.
Challenges
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Scoping the problem and broadening solution ideas
It can be challenging to narrow down such a broad problem. I relied on my research to all throughout scope out the subject area and focus on a specific aspect and user group. Also, I learned to be more creative in the solutions I was thinking of.
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Stepping back
I had to remind myself of my users, not just my inclinations as the designer. I let the user needs I uncovered through my analysis guide my design decisions.
Looking Ahead: Future Directions
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Hi-fidelity prototype usability testing
If I had more time, I would ensure that I conducted usability tests with my high-fidelity prototype to iterate based on the feedback. I also want to test with more users in my targeted user group.
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Consider safety issue
In the future, I'd like to add proof of vaccination to an app like this. Since there will be some in person interaction. COVID-19 and time constraints should ensure both the helper and the helpee are protected. It's imperative to protect our users and helpees in the community.
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Further research
I'm interested in further research on how digital solutions can be leveraged to help local communities