Waysafe
Travel safe solo
An easy to wear necklace that can detect and notify potential threats to its wearer, paired with an app that can inform the user of safe travel routes, notify emergency contacts, share safety information from other users, and much more!
Detachable camera, that can track faces and alert the user when a face has been recognized for a certain amount of time. Equipped witha button to alert emergency contacts without needing to get their phone out.
Team
Acalapati Priyatama – UX Researcher
Isabella Rivera – Project Lead
Sarah Kim – Visual Designer
Alejandro Marques – Interaction Designer
Jonathan Sanchez - Product Designer
Challenge & Result
The project's problem space focused on people's vulnerability to harassment due to distraction-induced unawareness of their surroundings. In our fast-paced world, distractions like smartphones make individuals easy targets for harassment by compromising their situational awareness.
The implementation of the necklace and app led to the potential for improved situational awareness among solo travelers, enabling them to detect potential threats and receive timely alerts. Users can access safe travel routes, notify emergency contacts, and share safety information with a community of fellow travelers, fostering a sense of security and empowerment while exploring new destinations.
Research
To inform the development of the necklace and app, we conducted comprehensive research involving 86 surveys and 7 in-depth interviews with solo travelers. This data was analysed using affinity diagramming to identify key themes and insights related to safety concerns and travel behaviours. Additionally, we created a user persona and a journey map to visualise the experiences and challenges faced by solo travelers, ensuring that our solutions were tailored to meet their specific needs and enhance their overall travel experience.
Affinity Diagramming Process
Key Insights
Wide range of age groups are becoming more open towards solo traveling
80-87% of women have been harassed when traveling
Sharing location is a common precautionary action
People like to ensure the safety route prior to leaving for their destination
Carrying a defensive weapon gives people a sense of reassurance
Online information & recommendation from known people are the main source of information when looking for places to travel
Customer Journey Map
Based on insights gathered from research, the customer journey map illustrates the solo travel experience, detailing stages and touchpoints from trip planning to return. It highlights key interactions, emotions, and challenges faced by travelers, identifying user needs and pain points. This understanding ensures that the necklace and app effectively address the specific concerns of solo travelers, creating a more supportive and intuitive experience.
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