purrpal
For this project, our team was tasked with researching and designing the user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) for a new autonomous robot service that addresses a real-world business challenge. From concept to execution, we developed a fully branded and interactive prototype that allows users to seamlessly engage with the service.
The final design enables users to:
Learn about the service and its offerings
Place an order and complete payment
Receive real-time progress updates while awaiting the autonomous vehicle
Retrieve their item or service upon arrival
Send the vehicle off to its next destination
The Task
Autonomous robot services present both exciting opportunities and significant challenges. While these services aim to streamline operations, reduce costs, and enhance customer experiences, they also introduce potential issues that must be carefully addressed in the design process.
Some key challenges include:
User Trust & Adoption: Customers may be hesitant to rely on autonomous systems for essential services, especially if they have concerns about reliability and security.
Navigation & Accessibility: The robot must navigate diverse environments, avoiding obstacles, adapting to changing conditions, and ensuring accessibility for all users.
Communication & Clarity: Users need clear, real-time updates on their order status, estimated arrival time, and instructions on how to interact with the robot.
Technical Failures & Downtime: Unexpected technical malfunctions, connectivity issues, or software bugs could disrupt service and frustrate customers.
Ethical & Safety Concerns: Autonomous systems must be designed with safety in mind, ensuring they do not pose risks to pedestrians, other vehicles, or the environment.
By addressing these potential challenges in the UX/UI design, we worked to create an intuitive and reliable service that fosters user confidence and ensures a seamless experience.
The Problem
The Solution
purrpal
purrpal is an AV robot that will watch over, entertain, and feed your cat while you’re away. It’s the PURR-FECT pet sitter.
purrpal consists of 3 entities: the Hub, the AV, and the APP.
The Hub
Includes the automatic feeding station, water reservoir, the docking station for the AV, 360° camera, automatic laser pointer, treat dispenser, and an interactive entertainment screen.
The PAL (AV)
The PAL is an autonomous robot that is able to traverse the indoor environment, in order to check-in and entertain your cat.
The APP
Pet-Parents are able to connect to the purrpal app, customize preferences, receive notifications, control HUB functions such as the 360° camera and treat dispenser, remotely control the PAL (AV), and set entertainment - all remotely from the app.
The Research
The Roughs
Here are some roughs that were curated by our team, these roughs were made due to the feedback we received from people as well as research we did online to see how this AV robot would operate.
The Branding
Color Palette
Typography
Low-Fi Prototypes
