Transform the traditional locks into something more inclusive & accessible
UX, Maker Project
Project Type
​
Duration
4 months
Role
UX Designer, Product Designer
Tools
Figma, Google Docs, Arduino Boards, 3D Printer​
Project Overview
During my design process, I wanted to focus on the accessibility and inclusivity of traditional locks we see at gyms, schools, or other public places. To unlock them requires a key or passcode of some sort. Personally, I've had numerous experiences where I forgot my lock combination, resulting in having to purchase a whole new lock. For this reason, I hope to design a digital lock, that only requires finger recognition rather than the long process of inputting a passcode.
Overview
Problem
Traditional locks we currently have in our society are very much not inclusive. Especially for users who suffer from disabilities, vision impairment, and poor memory. With such conditions, locks like these are extremely challenging for them to use.
Pain Points
Breaking down the design failures and mismatch of traditional locks with personal accounts and real-life experiences.
My Aunt
"I have hyperopia so it's almost impossible for me to use combination locks when I go to the gym because I have so much trouble seeing."
My Friend
"During high school, I would always keep my locker unlocked because I found that inputting the combination was too time-consuming."
My Sister
"I've never been a fan of combination locks because I've had multiple instances where I've forgotten my passcode, causing me to buy a new lock."
Solution
I hope to create a digital lock that focuses on accessibility and inclusivity for those that suffer from:
1.
Disabilities
2.
Poor Vision (Hyperopia)
3.
Memory Loss (Amnesia)
CyberLock App
Cyberlock will contain the following features:
01
Touch ID
Touch ID is a quick and efficient way to unlock it which saves us the hassle of inputting the password.
02
Bluetooth
Bluetooth will be implemented on the lock which acts like a Siri, allowing users to speak to the app.
03
Location Tracker
If your lock is hooked to your suitcase, CyberLock is ideal for frequent travellers because it can quickly track it.
04
Linked to an app
Users can set up their device, easily track their location, set up their profile, etc.
Design Process
I paid attention to my consumers when building the Cyberlock, investigating features that they would find useful. To accomplish so, I conducted a series of interviews with my friends and family, asking them what difficulties they have while using traditional locks. Afterwards, I gathered a list of resources to successfully put together the features on the Arduino board.
I created the product from scratch by using the Arduino resources that we purchased.
Start Screen
Welcome Screen
Touch ID Screen
Key Learnings
Overall, this project was extremely interesting to create and I had a better understanding of inclusivity and accessibility. This experience has affected me in a positive way and allowed me to think of design from a different perspective. When looking at designs around me, I will think more about the inclusive aspect of it and how I can implement these designs to make them more accessible for our users. This experience helped me to obtain hands-on expertise with Arduino boards and improve my skills in developing mobile apps as a UX designer. When I was building up the app, I noticed that I was concentrating more on accessibility design, which will come in handy when I make additional apps in the future.