graduate school · Master's thesis
ABOUT THE PROJECT
- This project is a thesis project for the MFA in UX Design at the College for Creative Studies. Calmdrive is an intelligent system to prevent anger driving.
* Supervised by Professor Predrag K. Nikolic
PAIN POINTS
- Anger impairs drivers' reaction times, decision-making, and overall driving performance, increasing the risk of accidents.
- Road rage is widespread across the US, with incidents on the rise.
- Drivers often lack awareness and strategies to manage escalating anger, leading to uncontrollable incidents.
GOALS
- Preventing anger before drivers get into anger zone.
APPROACH
- Implemented sensors, such as pulse sensors in seatbelts and GSR sensors on wristbands, to detect physiological signs of rising anger levels.
- Used the in-car audio system to play prerecorded messages from loved ones when signs of anger are detected.
- Developed the Calmdrive app to monitor, analyze, and use physiological data for personalized recommendations.
- Used various prototyping methods, including paper prototypes for the app and real-world testing with devices to gather feedback and iteratively refine the solution.
OUTCOME
- Developed and tested prototypes, including sensors and a mobile app, to gather user feedback and refine the system.
- Usability testing showed that listening to messages from loved ones helped calm drivers, redirecting their focus to safe driving.
- Enhanced the design based on user feedback, such as simplifying the onboarding process and making the wristband display more visible and less distracting.
Final prototype video
Problem
design Solution overview
demonstration video
HOW TO USE?
Just follow these four simple steps
Order, Record, Pair, and Install!
HOW I GOT TO THE SOLUTION
PRELIMINARY RESEARCH
Anger is a universal emotion felt by people
of all ages and genders.
but anger can be dangerous for drivers
because it leads them into various risks.
Statistically, drivers are more likely to feel angry in certain situations. (The Zebra, 2023)
And incidents of road rage are increasing
annually in the United States.
However, it is possible to control angry driving.
Becuase anger develops in stages,
if you can recognize how your anger arises, you can prevent it.
Anger Management for Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health Clients: A Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Manual, 2019)
Wait, Are there any solutions available on the market
that help drivers manage their anger?
Yes, but existing solutions are limited.
USER INTERVIEWS
I interviewed 9 drivers living in the US to better
understand the problem being explored.
Interviews showed that angry drivers' circumstances, reactions, and coping strategies were no different from those in earlier studies.
KEY FINDINGS & INSIGHTS
But I discovered key findings and insights
from driver interviews that led to design decisions.
PERSONA
David Lee, a commuting father, occasionally
experiences road rage due to traffic or other drivers.
PROBLEM STATEMENT
When drivers are overtaken by anger on the road, the likelihood of serious accidents, including injuries or fatalities, increases. Preventing drivers from falling into anger problems could lead to safer traffic.
AS IS - TO BE
Calmdrive can help prevent anger while driving.
DESIGN SOLUTION 01
Sensors detect anger signals and
play a voice message from a loved one.
HOW TO WORKS
When the gadgets(pulse rate sensor and GSR sensor) detect increasing signs of driver anger (physiological data), the In-car audio system plays voice messages from loved ones to prevent anger.
gadget Prototyping
Pulse sensor + Speaker Test
Wristband: GSR sensor + Display Test
DESIGN SOLUTION 02
Through the Calmdrive app, drivers can track data,
get AI recommendations, and customize loved ones' voices.
HOW TO WORKS
01
Physiological Data Tracking
In the mobile app, drivers can track accumulated physiological data
including their calmscore, heart rate, and stress level.
02
AI Actionable Recommendations
The Calmdrive mobile app collects physiological data from drivers
and offers recommendations to help them drive more calmly.
03
Customize Voice Message
Drivers can customize CalmDrive by recording the voice of a loved one,
using existing samples, or selecting AI prompts.
calmdrive app
prototyping
USABILITY TESTING
These prototypes allowed me to test, verify,
and improve the solution in real-world scenarios.
01
Voice Message Gadget (Speaker + Seatbelt + Wrist brace)
Feedback indicated that listening to loved one's voice messages helped restore calm,
and there were also suggestions to adjust the wristband's display position.
I modified the display terminology((µS -> Stress) and adjusted its position on the wristband
to ensure that the information is easily accessible without distracting the driver.
02
Calmdrive Mobile App
Feedback indicated that there were no major issues with the task,
but there were comments on the onboarding process and recording guidelines.
Frequently Asked Questions
