About the project
This project was done in collaboration with TomTom. TomTom asked us to research the usage of one of their activity trackers, the TomTom Touch, and to come up with an improved version for it.
During the project, we conducted thorough user research in a controlled environment. The information we gathered from this was converted to insights which we used to come up with an improved design.
User research
We created a plan to conduct user tests in a controlled setting. Not only did we test the use of the tracker during a work-out, we also observed the installation of the tracker. During the execution of the tests, we gathered video footage and made notes. This data was used to find issues that appear during the installation fase and using fase of the tracker.
Redesign
Installation
First of all, we redesigned the quick-start-guide which explains how to install the TomTom touch. Due to the scope of the project, we decided to not redesigns the rest of the installation process, but focus on the using phase instead.
Mobile application
The TomTom touch isn’t a product which stands on it’s own; it is used together with an application on your phone. Therefore, we did not only include the activity tracker in our redesign, but we also took into account the mobile application. The new flow of the application is shown in the image below. Below this image I will briefly explain some of the major changes we made.
Our research showed that participants often did not know how to find their last activity. This while viewing the results of your last activity is often the main reason to open the app in the first place. Therefore, the list of activities the user recorded is the first screen the redesigned app shows after the application is loaded, is (see the second row of screens in the image above).
Next, the redesign contains a ‘my body’ icon in the menu of the app. Tapping this icon will bring you to a screen which extracts the unique selling point of the TomTom Touch, namely measuring your body composition. This screen contains information about your body composition, the progress you made and gives you more technical and professional information about it (see the first row of screens in the image above).
Furthermore, we came up with a new solution to set goals. The tracker will show a colored light, to indicate a message about one of your goals is available in the mobile application (see the thirth row of screens in the image above and the images below).
Activity tracker
We also redesigned some interactions with the activity tracker. We for example advised TomTom to include an acceleratormeter to the device. By making use of this sensor, so users can start an activity by flicking their wrist twice. Furthermore, the device will be able show information needed by users during a workout when you flick your wrist to take a look at the watch. This way, users are able to consult information with just one hand.
Evaluation
For the scope of the project, we decided to only evaluatie the the using fase of the tracker for our redesign. We created a prototype for the redesigned device and mobile app. A plan was made to test the redesign. Participants were asked to fill in a survey similar to the one we used during the original research, so we could compare it to the original design. An improvement in usage was perceived on many aspects.
Ellis Bots 