Tangible Interaction in Collaboration with Enhancers: LAX
The Brief
Design a physical device to enhance the in-car experience of a car-related service. The interface should feature physical controls and proper haptic and sound feedback to minimize distraction.
Design a physical device to enhance the in-car experience of a car-related service. The interface should feature physical controls and proper haptic and sound feedback to minimize distraction.
Problem
Enhance the in-car experience of long commuters to make their time in the vehicle productive and entertaining, preventing road rage or exhaustion.
Enhance the in-car experience of long commuters to make their time in the vehicle productive and entertaining, preventing road rage or exhaustion.
LAX
The all-in-one solution to your commuter problems, tired of sitting in traffic, bored, need something to calm you from road raging, or maybe you want to be able to manage stress easier, LAX is here. This powerful tool implements sensor input and machine learning to help drivers reduce rage, anxiety, boredom, and stress while sitting in commuter traffic.
The all-in-one solution to your commuter problems, tired of sitting in traffic, bored, need something to calm you from road raging, or maybe you want to be able to manage stress easier, LAX is here. This powerful tool implements sensor input and machine learning to help drivers reduce rage, anxiety, boredom, and stress while sitting in commuter traffic.
Road Rage
What is Road Rage?
A motorist’s uncontrolled anger that is usually provoked by another motorist’s irritating act and is expressed in aggressive or violent behavior.
-Merriam-Webster dictionary.
A motorist’s uncontrolled anger that is usually provoked by another motorist’s irritating act and is expressed in aggressive or violent behavior.
-Merriam-Webster dictionary.
The Body In Rage
As you become angry, your body’s muscles tense up. Inside your brain, neurotransmitter chemicals known as catecholamines are released, causing you to experience a burst of energy lasting up to several minutes. At the same time, your heart rate accelerates, your blood pressure rises, and your rate of breathing increases. Your face may flush as increased blood flow enters your limbs and extremities in preparation for physical action.
Physical Symptoms of LAX
Rapid Heart Rate Muscle Tension
Blood Pressure Rises Faster Breathing
Research and Insights
Through researching, it was discovered that a large portion of the working population commutes to and from work by car. During this experience, male drivers are more likely to experience road rage, and an episode of road rage affects a driver for the entire day as opposed to just during the time of the incident. Interviews provided a better look into the thoughts of the potential user base for LAX. Drivers utilize different methods to cope with commuting, and some experience road rage quite often. A key insight was the idea that driving feels like a loss of time and productivity since there is very little drivers can do while sitting in traffic.
Through researching, it was discovered that a large portion of the working population commutes to and from work by car. During this experience, male drivers are more likely to experience road rage, and an episode of road rage affects a driver for the entire day as opposed to just during the time of the incident. Interviews provided a better look into the thoughts of the potential user base for LAX. Drivers utilize different methods to cope with commuting, and some experience road rage quite often. A key insight was the idea that driving feels like a loss of time and productivity since there is very little drivers can do while sitting in traffic.
Personas
Two different personas were created based on the interviews conducted as well as the research findings. Each of the personas represents the different ends of the spectrum of the driver experience. The personas highlight potential areas of development for the LAX and what features users want in a product.
Two different personas were created based on the interviews conducted as well as the research findings. Each of the personas represents the different ends of the spectrum of the driver experience. The personas highlight potential areas of development for the LAX and what features users want in a product.
Scenario
With all the stress and frustration of commuting each day, what if there was a smart companion that would help make your daily commute smoother and act as an assistant who alleviates the frustration of commuter traffic?
With all the stress and frustration of commuting each day, what if there was a smart companion that would help make your daily commute smoother and act as an assistant who alleviates the frustration of commuter traffic?
How To Use LAX
BUILD & CUSTOMIZE SYNC AND GO
IN THE BUBBLE FEEL BETTER
BUILD & CUSTOMIZE:
In the app, you can choose your topics of interest, your personal preferences, and then set the commuting time to arrange the time wisely.
SYNC AND GO:
Once you get in the car, the app will send your information to the Lax device, saving your phone’s battery.
IN THE BUBBLE:
During your commute, you will get suggestions about what to listen to or actions to take. While the multiple sensors will provide information on your mood.
FEEL BETTER:
Once the sensors pick up on a negative mood change, it will immediately offer alternatives or external stimuli to make you feel calmer and more aware.
LAX Ecosystem
A machine learning assistant designed to accompany the user during long commutes. Independent from one's phone, it syncs the preferences for more convenient drives.
The App
The app is designed to make a selection of the users’ preferences and topics of interest, or to manually program the content you want to listen to.
Features
-Merge with other apps for deeper knowledge of the user.
-Plan the commute topics in advance.
-With machine learning, it will suggest more accurate topics.
-Works only for pre-driving, it syncs the information into the physical device.
-Plan the commute topics in advance.
-With machine learning, it will suggest more accurate topics.
-Works only for pre-driving, it syncs the information into the physical device.
The Device
The device is portable and compact, activated by natural hand gestures, and designed to interact without too many distractions on the road.
Features
-An LED light to communicate with the user.
-Integrated camera detects hand gestures and facial expressions to give the best diagnosis.
-Charging port, holds it during the commute.
-Friendly and elegant shape to blend with the car's interior design.
-Integrated camera detects hand gestures and facial expressions to give the best diagnosis.
-Charging port, holds it during the commute.
-Friendly and elegant shape to blend with the car's interior design.
Sensors and Gestures
The Sensors
-Sensors are attached to the back of the steering wheel.
-Track body reactions.
-Constant tracking.
-Track body reactions.
-Constant tracking.
The Gestures
-Lax is a gesture-based device.
-Simple to navigate through the content.
-Agree or disagree with the suggestions Lax provides.
-Simple to navigate through the content.
-Agree or disagree with the suggestions Lax provides.
Additional Features
Subscription Cards
Change to a specific content when you know exactly
what you want to do during your commute.
what you want to do during your commute.
In-Car Features
Temperature can impact a person's mood.
Enhance the experience by modifying the temperature inside the vehicle.
Subtle AC changes.
Temperature can impact a person's mood.
Enhance the experience by modifying the temperature inside the vehicle.
Subtle AC changes.
App Demo