MY ROLE: UX/UI Lead
(IEnd-to-end UX/UI design)
DURATION: July, 2024 — ongoing
OBJECTIVE: Design the user experience and interface for a hydraulic reservoir system with a connected app that monitors and helps manage a user’s hydration and electrolyte needs via smartwatch integration.
Dehydration and electrolyte imbalances are a leading cause of long-duration outdoor activity and hiking-related hospitalizations. Studies show that up to 30% of individuals may develop mild to severe symptoms, such as muscle cramps, weakness, fatigue, or heat stroke due to poor hydration and hyponatremia (a condition in which the level of sodium in your blood is too low).
When it comes to hydration:
• People simply forget to drink water
• When using a hydration bladder in a backpack, one can’t see or feel changes in volume
• People are reluctant to stop and check hydration bladders often as it likely requires repacking some of the contents of a backpack
• When hiking long distance, water supplies must be monitored and water sources must be planned for
When it comes to electrolytes:
•Tablets and mixes often are consumed at random
• Overconsumption also can lead to imbalances with uncomfortable to dangerous symptoms
A series of potential user interviews uncovered 3 distinct markets. While there are a couple of well-known hydraton biosensors with mobile and/or smartwatch integration, no known device is integrated into a hydration reservoir.
MOBLIE SCREENS
• For MVP, a reservoir read, electrolyte read, and performance analytics read were identified as the core features to demonstrate USP to investors and early adopters. These features make up the main/ bottom navigation.
• Basic onboarding was as streamlined and unobtrusive as possible but had to include basic personal medical data / body metrics for analytics.
• For ease of use, reservoir capacity and capacity alerts are included in the onboarding/set-up. Both could be modified in the settings (same as for body metrics).
WATCH SCREENS
• The smartwatch navigation consists of 2 distinct icons to differentiate the main features that need to be accessible via watch: the reservoir read & the electrolyte read. Once selected, all other information would be accessible via a scroll. These interactions are consistent with the existing UX of 3rd party wearables.
• Being safety critical, alert sounds are automated with the option to be turned-off in the settings from the mobile device.
Initial usability testing and task flow validation was conducted on wireframes. Key findings and iterations included:
• 2/3 of users had concerns about the personal data inputs in the profile setup, which resulted in the addition of an information icon for further explanation.
• 1/3 of users wanted to know how long the set-up would take / how much information they would be asked, so a completion status indicator was added.
• 1/3 of users wanted additional information about the alert sounds, notifications and expressed the desire to customize these selections, so additional settings controls were considered.
• Most users wanted more information about electrolytes and level impacts in general, which resulted in the addition of an information icon for further explanation for each electrolyte.
• Most users wanted to custom name their activities in the log, so the functionality to rename activities was added.
MVP Features:
Realtime Smartwatch Readouts and Alerts & Post-Activity Performance Analytics via the Mobile App
• Monitors water levels and alerts when supply is getting low
• Sends alerts when sweat loss is occurring at a faster rate than hydration
• Lists key electrolyte levels (sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium) and sends alerts when levels are low
• Provides an overview of all activity with a breakdown of average fluid and electrolyte losses
• Gives post analysis insights and recommendations for post activity replenishing and future planning to help maintain balanced hydration and electrolytes for optimal performance and safety