UI/UX Design Mobile Prototyping User Research
Heehike: Empowering Low-Budget Travel through Convenient Carpooling
Duration 4 months | My Role Product (UX/UI) Designer | Year 2022
Embedded Files
Background
Heehike is a mobile app designed to facilitate carpooling, providing users with a convenient way to find the carpool match for intercity travel. Whether you're looking to share the cost of a trip with a trustworthy driver, or offset the cost of a trip by finding paying passengers, Heehike makes low-budget travel achievable for all.
Inadequate alternative options to driving across New Zealand makes travel difficult for individuals without access to a private vehicle. These people may seek ride-sharing opportunities within their communities, but many people don't share that privilege. Ride sharing groups are scattered and decentralised, which is where Heehike steps in to facilitate rideshares for any long-distance travel.
Heehike is a mobile application to connect passengers and drivers who share similar preferences and destinations, while also providing identity verification for added security.
We always see people in need of carpooling, but lacking a platform.
The Problem
It is not economical to travel alone due to the increasing petrol price.
With rising petrol prices, it has become uneconomical to travel alone. However, the question remains: where can you find a driver who can provide you with a lift at an affordable cost?
The Goal
Provide a platform to easily connect passengers and compensate drivers.
The Heehike app will efficiently connect users with passengers or driver's empty seats, helping to streamline the process of finding and booking cost-effective transportation.
Design Process
As a solo UX designer, I aimed to expedite the development process by obtaining user feedback before prototyping. I created features based on our assumptions and utilized feedback data to guide our design iterations. This approach enabled us to move swiftly and enhance our product according to genuine user feedback.
User Journey
I interviewed seven hitchhikers and individuals who had expressed interest in ridesharing. Many of them had abandoned hitchhiking plans due to safety concerns or a lack of information about expectations or local customs for hitchhikers to follow. Following through on this research we identified the user journey which individuals commonly have, and four common pain points experienced around hitchhiking.
User Pain Point
Following thorough research on online whiteboards and interviews with more than six hitchhikers and individuals who frequently express interest in ridesharing, we have identified the following concerns that individuals commonly have based on their prior experiences.
Safety
Individuals are seeking to find a passenger or driver who shares the same destination, but they also prioritize their personal safety.
Budget
Cost-saving is a key consideration for those seeking transportation options.
Bored
Individuals are seeking to find a passenger or driver who shares the same destination, but they also prioritize their personal safety.
Traffic Accessibility
Cost-saving is a key consideration for those seeking transportation options.
User Case & Persona
Louis | 65 | Retired Teacher
As a retired high school teacher living in Oamaru, I regularly make a 300 km drive to visit my parents in Invercargill. However, as my wife works at the school and cannot accompany me, I 'm often bored during these solo drives.
Frustrations
I am too old, I don't want to take any people who have criminal behaviour.
I don't know how to find someone willing to take my car and arrive at the same destination to ease the boredom of my long drive.
Nathan | 18 | University Student
As a student at Victoria University in Wellington, I dedicate some of my time to volunteering in a small town. Additionally, I frequently visit my grandparents in Auckland every two weeks. However, as transportation costs can be significant, I struggle to save enough money to cover my tuition fees. I'm interested in sharing fuel costs by travelling in someone else's vehicle.
Frustrations
The bus timetable is not flexible, and the flight ticket is pricy.
I will spend too much money on fuel if I drive by myself.
There’s too much criminal news about hitchhiking.
Affinity map
In the affinity mapping process, I gathered feedback on the issues the participants encountered during testing or features they felt could be improved for greater usability. I organized this feedback accordingly.
How might we…
Make drivers and passengers feel safe to enjoy the shared ride service?
Insights
Through multiple user interviews, we discovered that the hesitation of passengers towards carpooling primarily stemmed from the lack of understanding and inability to verify the personal safety of the other party (passenger or driver). Additionally, there was an underlying concern about potential awkwardness during an extended period of time sharing the same space. In response, we made final adjustments to our product.
Vehicle safety information
User are required to set up license plate number verification. This process ensures transparency by verifying the user's ID, promoting trust and reliability between passengers and drivers.
Share the trip with friends, and keep contacting
Once passengers get into the shared ride car, they have the option to send a message to their friends, notifying them of their current location.
Find the users who have similar interests
users can view the driver's self-introduction and interests. This feature ensures a more enjoyable and engaging ride, as users can get to know their driver's personality and shared interests, reducing any potential feelings of embarrassment or boredom during the shared ride experience.
Style Guide
Reflection
Link with map apps to share the current location after passengers board the car.
Design options for drivers to post weekly or monthly round trips
Better adhere of WCAG.
In this project, I got some unexpected answers from user interviews as I am also a potential user, which made me pay more attention to how to refine the interview questions in user research to achieve the best user research results.
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