Parking +

Parking +

Parking +

Automotive HMI

Automotive HMI

Center display & Mobile

Center display & Mobile

B2C

B2C

Multi-modal experience

Multi-modal experience

End to end process

End to end process

Overview

A personalized parking guide ensures a smooth and stress-free experience from start to finish.

The market offers numerous apps that allow users to reserve parking spots, navigate to parking or make payments easily. However, many problems remain unaddressed. For instance, upon entering the parking area, there is no further guidance after , leading to uncertainty. Additionally, uncertainty about parking availability and price before arriving at the destination and use cases for drivers while they are actively driving are often overlooked.

My solution aim to transform this common scenario. By filling the informational gaps left by existing apps, the project aim to guide you seamlessly from the moment you choose a parking facility to the moment you leave, enhancing the experience and eliminating the stress and uncertainty of urban parking.

The project began in early 2022 with a eight-week phase dedicated to researching problems, assessing technical feasibility, understanding users, and creating the initial design. Following this, a second round of redesign was conducted in late 2023, which took another six weeks to complete.

The project began in early 2022 with a eight-week phase dedicated to researching problems, assessing technical feasibility, understanding users, and creating the initial design. Following this, a second round of redesign was conducted in late 2023, which took another six weeks to complete.

The project began in early 2022 with a eight-week phase dedicated to researching problems, assessing technical feasibility, understanding users, and creating the initial design. Following this, a second round of redesign was conducted in late 2023, which took another six weeks to complete.

How might we address all challenges in one place ?

HMW address all challenges in one place ?

Solution Preview

Smart parking suggestion

In driving state

Task 1

While I was driving , use voice control to call out parking suggestions. Make choice quickly at a glance, confirm it and quickly pull my eyes back on road.

Key features

  • Highlighted key and timely information on cards for quick selection

  • Curated options based on algorithm and preset preference

Personalized parking zone suggestion

In driving state

< 5 mph

Task 2

Upon arriving or just entering the parking facility, quickly make a choice of ideal zone

Key features

  • Highlighted key and timely information on cards for quick selection

  • 3D map (digital twin) provide an overview of parking area, real-time availability and location

AR navigation

AR navigation

In driving state

< 5 mph

Task 3

Follow the turn to turn AR navigation

Key features

  • AR way-finding displays timely availability help visually scan for immediate option

  • AR navigates to the selected zone

Task 4

Approaching the designed zone , follow AR navigation to choose a stall

Key features

  • Clearly indicates the available stall location with enlarged plan view and AR in camera view

Frictionless
“ last mile”

In a parked state

0 mph

Task 5

Fast payment or set a timer

Key features

  • Seamless payment and validation

In a parked state

0 mph

Task 6

Provide a peak-ending for in-car solution, hand off to mobile phone app

Key features

  • Highlight the stall location and the remaining time for validation( if applicable)

  • Highlight the achievement of this trip

Task 7

Seamlessly find the car or extend the timer before get back to the car

Key features

  • Set up notification

  • Extend time or pay

  • Navigate back to car

Let's dive into the details

Let's dive into the details

User Research

Understanding gaps in user guidance during parking

Scope

Identifying the scope - focusing on key tasks

After reviewing the entire parking journey and collecting all the comments and feedback from interviewees, I realized that addressing every single aspect would result in an overwhelmingly large scope of work. Therefore, I decided to narrow down the scope by identifying and clearly defining the key phases, allowing the project to move forward more efficiently.

Insights and Pain Points

Brainstorming Solutions

User Flow

While the initial wireframe provide a basic user flow, more challenges emerged during the design phase

While the initial wireframe provide a basic user flow, more challenges emerged during the design phase

Design .Validation. Iteration

User tests were conducted using a low-fidelity prototype on iPad. Participants were provided with a clear briefing regarding the purpose of test, tasks, and scenarios. They were instructed to complete these tasks while thinking aloud. With the feedbacks from participants, more design challenges came up requiring multi-round of explorations and Iterations.

Design Challenge 1

Facilitates fast decision-making and less distraction while driving

In the early stage of ideation, i was inspired by Uber providing best match automatic to a driver . I was designing to provide “ best match” at the time of entering into the parking lot or garage.


In the test, participants asked about alternative solution if they dissatisfied with their assigned parking spots, how can they make choice on their own.

Option 1

Assigned “best match” stall

Option 2

Self-picked stall

Option 3

Suggested parking areas

Assigning parking stalls based on real-time information and personal preferences aims to reduce driving distractions. However, users often feel safer making their own choices, while machine learning offers valuable suggestions to help decision-making.


Assigning parking stalls based on real-time information and personal preferences aims to reduce driving distractions. However, users often feel safer making their own choices, while machine learning offers valuable suggestions to help decision-making.

Explorations

Option 1

Assign a stall to drivers using an algorithm for the ‘best match’ like Uber

  • No-brainer, just follow the instruction

  • Reduce distractions while driving

  • Lack of self-control

Option 2

Pick a stall on a map view like cinema or airplane seat selection

  • Fully control over stall section by driver

  • Take time to select a stall manually

  • Almost mission impossible while driving even with speed limit in parking area

Option 3 V1

Select from suggested areas -displayed in 3 sections: options , map view, navigation view

  • Smart suggestions for your choice

  • Adequate guide

  • Too much information/ instruction to absorb at one time

Option 3 V2 -

Preferred

Select from suggested areas -displayed in 2 sections: options, instruction pane (toggled between map view & navigation view)

  • Freedom to choose from smart suggestions based on algorithm and preset preferences

  • Simplify the instruction pane, ease the cognitive load

Final Version

1

The critical info on parking zone: location, available stalls, ETA

2

Relevant tags indicate why recommend this option

3

Toggle allow switch between camera and map views

4

A high-lighted zone on an isometric map showcase the location intuitively

5

Highlight the level

Design Challenge 2

Intuitive navigation that mitigates anxiety

In the ideation phase, I explored innovative solutions for navigating within parking areas. This included features like interactive floor plans with stall layouts, 3D digital twins, and Augmented Reality (AR) way-finding overlays. All these features aimed to display real-time information such as parking availability, proximity to the desired spot, and estimated time to reach (ETA). However, a key consideration was driver safety. Presenting too much information within the car's environment could increase cognitive load and potentially lead to distractions.

Explorations

Option 1

Direct navigation to the selected stall

Direct navigation to the selected stall

  • Only display navigation to the designated stall, making the direction concise and clear.

Option 2

Way-finding and interactive plan indicating suggested parking area

  • A white model digital twin of the parking area provides an overview of the entire parking zone
    Requires significant computational resources to load the model in the car

Option 3

Route preview map navigation and isometric parking overview help to locate

  • while isometric digital twin provide a clear overview of the location, camera view with AR overlay works better for navigation

Option 4 -

Preferred

AR and interactive plan indicating suggested parking area

  • AR navigation/way-finding is the most intuitive and straight forward to drivers

  • Require more technical efforts and supports

Final Version

After making the choice of parking zone:

1

An enlarged map shows the location of the selected zone and reiterates its availability

2

AR way-finding provides timely parking information and intuitive navigation

3

Clearly indicate the zones that are not suitable for this car (personalization)

4

Critical stats

5

Toggle allow switch between camera and map views

Upon arriving at designated parking zone :

1

The left pane map is enlarged to focus on the highlighted zone

2

Clear AR signs help to locate the designated spot

Design Challenge 3

Designing thoughtful notifications for a seamless last-mile experience

Previous Version 1

Ending with a card with stall info

  • Card space is limited.

Explorations

Previous Version 2

Recall the accomplishment and location map

  • Summary with trip accomplishment is clear.

  • Location

Final Version

After making the choice of parking zone:

1

Eliminate other content such as map view or camera view, display parking summary only

2

Highlight the location and the timer

3

Highlight the achievement of this trip

Takeaways

This parking project is tricky. While it tackles a common pain point (parking), it's challenging because it involves designing for both in-car displays and mobile phones. In-car interfaces are new territory for me in terms of UX design. Plus, most users will be interacting with the system while driving, which adds another layer of complexity and demands a focus on safe, quick task completion.

Embracing a design guide and pushing beyond

A big thanks to open-source design resources like Google Design for Driving and Apple CarPlay Programming Guide. Their design principles were invaluable in implementing the in-car solution. This guidance not only validated my initial design but also fueled multiple rounds of iteration, ultimately leading to a robust and reliable product.


Vibrant & customized visual design

Vibrant & customized visual design

Since Apple's groundbreaking CarPlay reveal at WWDC 2022, with its dynamic and captivating Human-Machine Interface (HMI), car manufacturers are pushing the boundaries of infotainment design. MINI's new OS particularly stands out for its dynamic design, striking a careful balance between safety and visual appeal. My design was inspired and influenced by this bold and dynamic approach.