Starship Robots
Starship Robots
Starship Robots
Explored the functionality of Starship robots on college campuses, moving beyond food delivery to include item exchanges and other fun features to strengthen community among students on college campuses.
Explored the functionality of Starship robots on college campuses, moving beyond food delivery to include item exchanges and other fun features to strengthen community among students on college campuses.
Duration: 4 weeks
My role: UX research and design
Platform: Mobile Application
Duration: 4 weeks
My role: UX research and design
Platform: Mobile Application
Team: Kareena Patel, Hao Wang and Shenyung Luo
Research sponsor: Purdue University, West Lafayette
Team: Kareena Patel, Hao Wang and, Shenyung Luo
Context
Starship robots are widely used for delivering food and groceries to students on campus. However, their potential to address other logistics and social needs has remained untapped.
Context
Starship robots are widely used for delivering food and groceries to students on campus. However, their potential to address other logistics and social needs has remained untapped.
Context
Starship robots are widely used for delivering food and groceries to students on campus. However, their potential to address other logistics and social needs has remained untapped.
Problem
Students face challenges in quickly accessing forgotten items, sending last-minute gifts, and building connections in a digital-first environment.
Problem
Students face challenges in quickly accessing forgotten items, sending last-minute gifts, and building connections in a digital-first environment.
Problem
Students face challenges in quickly accessing forgotten items, sending last-minute gifts, and building connections in a digital-first environment.
Solution
A platform that uses Starship robots for item delivery, personalized gifting, and pen-pal interactions, offering accessible, and engaging services tailored for campus life.
Solution
A platform that uses Starship robots for item delivery, personalized gifting, and pen-pal interactions, offering accessible, and engaging services tailored for campus life.
Solution
A platform that uses Starship robots for item delivery, personalized gifting, and pen-pal interactions, offering accessible, and engaging services tailored for campus life.
Outcome
Personalized features validated through usability testing, enhancing convenience and building community among students.
Outcome
Personalized features validated through usability testing, enhancing convenience and building community among students.
Outcome
Personalized features validated through usability testing, enhancing convenience and building community among students.
TL;DR: Here’s a Pitch Video!
Before diving into the details, here’s a quick video that sums up our project - what we set out to solve, how we approached it, and our final solution in action!
TL;DR: Here’s a Pitch Video!
Before diving into the details, here’s a quick video that sums up our project - what we set out to solve, how we approached it, and our final solution in action!
TL;DR: Here’s a Pitch Video!
Before diving into the details, here’s a quick video that sums up our project - what we set out to solve, how we approached it, and our final solution in action!
Research
How'd we get here?
Research
How'd we get here?
Research
How'd we get here?
Our research was divided into multiple phases, including observations, interviews, and secondary research. We used then used affinity mapping to analyze our insights.
Our research was divided into multiple phases, including observations, interviews, and secondary research. We used then used affinity mapping to analyze our insights.
Our research was divided into multiple phases, including observations, interviews, and secondary research. We used then used affinity mapping to analyze our insights.
Field observations
Field observations
Field observations
Before interviews, we observed student-Starship interactions firsthand.
Robots often stalled at crosswalks, eliciting mixed reactions, some students found them amusing, while others saw them as a nuisance. Despite occasional delays, frequent users valued the service’s convenience, especially for late-night meals.
Before interviews, we observed student-Starship interactions firsthand.
Robots often stalled at crosswalks, eliciting mixed reactions, some students found them amusing, while others saw them as a nuisance. Despite occasional delays, frequent users valued the service’s convenience, especially for late-night meals.
Before interviews, we observed student-Starship interactions firsthand.
Robots often stalled at crosswalks, eliciting mixed reactions, some students found them amusing, while others saw them as a nuisance. Despite occasional delays, frequent users valued the service’s convenience, especially for late-night meals.
Understanding the problem
Understanding the problem
Understanding the problem
Ten interviews with students, campus workers, and employees highlighted two main desires: faster item deliveries and more interactive robots.
Surprisingly, many wanted deeper engagement with the robots beyond just deliveries. Features like custom skins and music playback, already exist in the current service and were frequently mentioned, pointing toward a strong interest in personalization.
Ten interviews with students, campus workers, and employees highlighted two main desires: faster item deliveries and more interactive robots.
Surprisingly, many wanted deeper engagement with the robots beyond just deliveries. Features like custom skins and music playback, already exist in the current service and were frequently mentioned, pointing toward a strong interest in personalization.
Ten interviews with students, campus workers, and employees highlighted two main desires: faster item deliveries and more interactive robots.
Surprisingly, many wanted deeper engagement with the robots beyond just deliveries. Features like custom skins and music playback, already exist in the current service and were frequently mentioned, pointing toward a strong interest in personalization.
Design opportunities
Personalized deliveries with audio messages, avatars, and interactive features.
Enhanced social experiences, such as pen-pal interactions with interest-based matching.
Improved logistics, including secure, weather-proof deliveries and real-time tracking.
Key features
Friend-to-friend deliveries, personalized gift exchanges, and pen-pal services, supported by live tracking, safety measures, and interactive customization.
Defining the solution space
We framed the solution around a platform that promotes not only logistical efficiency but also human connection. Our design balances practicality with emotional engagement, making item exchanges both accessible and memorable.
Design opportunities
Personalized deliveries with audio messages, avatars, and interactive features.
Enhanced social experiences, such as pen-pal interactions with interest-based matching.
Improved logistics, including secure, weather-proof deliveries and real-time tracking.
Key features
Friend-to-friend deliveries, personalized gift exchanges, and pen-pal services, supported by live tracking, safety measures, and interactive customization.
Defining the solution space
We framed the solution around a platform that promotes not only logistical efficiency but also human connection. Our design balances practicality with emotional engagement, making item exchanges both accessible and memorable.
Design opportunities
Personalized deliveries with audio messages, avatars, and interactive features.
Enhanced social experiences, such as pen-pal interactions with interest-based matching.
Improved logistics, including secure, weather-proof deliveries and real-time tracking.
Key features
Friend-to-friend deliveries, personalized gift exchanges, and pen-pal services, supported by live tracking, safety measures, and interactive customization.
Defining the solution space
We framed the solution around a platform that promotes not only logistical efficiency but also human connection. Our design balances practicality with emotional engagement, making item exchanges both accessible and memorable.
Ideation
Building the solution
Ideation
Building the solution
Ideation
Building the solution
With our research complete and solution space defined, we moved on to sketching storyboards and mapping the user flow. We then refined our design through two rounds of user testing.
With our research complete and solution space defined, we moved on to sketching storyboards and mapping the user flow. We then refined our design through two rounds of user testing.
With our research complete and solution space defined, we moved on to sketching storyboards and mapping the user flow. We then refined our design through two rounds of user testing.
Visualizing scenarios
Visualizing scenarios
Visualizing scenarios
Friend-to-Friend Exchange enables students to send and receive forgotten or borrowed items on campus. Inspired by insights from primary and secondary research, we translated real student challenges into storyboards, illustrating how our design simplifies everyday exchanges through Starship robots.
Friend-to-Friend Exchange enables students to send and receive forgotten or borrowed items on campus. Inspired by insights from primary and secondary research, we translated real student challenges into storyboards, illustrating how our design simplifies everyday exchanges through Starship robots.
Friend-to-Friend Exchange enables students to send and receive forgotten or borrowed items on campus. Inspired by insights from primary and secondary research, we translated real student challenges into storyboards, illustrating how our design simplifies everyday exchanges through Starship robots.
This feature enhances friend-to-friend exchanges by enabling last-minute gift deliveries, especially during holidays. With personalization options like voice recordings, confetti, and Spotify song selections, it transforms simple deliveries into meaningful, surprise-filled moments.
This feature enhances friend-to-friend exchanges by enabling last-minute gift deliveries, especially during holidays. With personalization options like voice recordings, confetti, and Spotify song selections, it transforms simple deliveries into meaningful, surprise-filled moments.
This feature enhances friend-to-friend exchanges by enabling last-minute gift deliveries, especially during holidays. With personalization options like voice recordings, confetti, and Spotify song selections, it transforms simple deliveries into meaningful, surprise-filled moments.
Pen Pal Feature adds a nostalgic touch to friend-to-friend exchanges by anonymously matching students with others who share similar interests. Through letter writing and thoughtful deliveries, it fosters meaningful connections in a fun, personalized, and old-fashioned way.
Pen Pal Feature adds a nostalgic touch to friend-to-friend exchanges by anonymously matching students with others who share similar interests. Through letter writing and thoughtful deliveries, it fosters meaningful connections in a fun, personalized, and old-fashioned way.
Pen Pal Feature adds a nostalgic touch to friend-to-friend exchanges by anonymously matching students with others who share similar interests. Through letter writing and thoughtful deliveries, it fosters meaningful connections in a fun, personalized, and old-fashioned way.
Structuring the experience
Structuring the experience
Structuring the experience
We created a user flow to map out key interactions for clarity and efficiency.
We focused on:
Account Setup – Verifying student credentials for security.
Delivery Requests – Selecting a recipient, adding a message, and confirming details.
Tracking & Notifications – Real-time updates, live camera feeds, and delivery confirmations.
We created a user flow to map out key interactions for clarity and efficiency.
We focused on:
Account Setup – Verifying student credentials for security.
Delivery Requests – Selecting a recipient, adding a message, and confirming details.
Tracking & Notifications – Real-time updates, live camera feeds, and delivery confirmations.
We created a user flow to map out key interactions for clarity and efficiency.
We focused on:
Account Setup – Verifying student credentials for security.
Delivery Requests – Selecting a recipient, adding a message, and confirming details.
Tracking & Notifications – Real-time updates, live camera feeds, and delivery confirmations.
Refining through usability tests
Refining through usability tests
Refining through usability tests
After ideating, we made basic wireframes to test our design with students on campus.
These were our insights after two rounds of testing:
After ideating, we made basic wireframes to test our design with students on campus.
These were our insights after two rounds of testing:
After ideating, we made basic wireframes to test our design with students on campus.
These were our insights after two rounds of testing:
Solution
The final product
Solution
The final product
Ideation
The final product
Our design illustrates three features that make up the core of our interface on the home screen: friend-to-friend delivery, gift exchange, and pen-pal interactions. We aimed to merge functionality with the emotional and social aspects of student life, creating a product that’s not only convenient but also engaging, interactive, and community-focused.
Our design illustrates three features that make up the core of our interface on the home screen: friend-to-friend delivery, gift exchange, and pen-pal interactions. We aimed to merge functionality with the emotional and social aspects of student life, creating a product that’s not only convenient but also engaging, interactive, and community-focused.
Our design illustrates three features that make up the core of our interface on the home screen: friend-to-friend delivery, gift exchange, and pen-pal interactions. We aimed to merge functionality with the emotional and social aspects of student life, creating a product that’s not only convenient but also engaging, interactive, and community-focused.
Learnings and takeaways
Learnings and takeaways
Learnings and takeaways
Our iterative design and usability testing process reinforced the importance of continuous refinement based on real user feedback. Small details—such as clearer navigation labels, a search bar for locations, and more prominent CTAs—significantly improved usability. Testing also highlighted the value of personalization and engagement, shaping our features like voice notes, avatars, and interactive delivery options.
Our iterative design and usability testing process reinforced the importance of continuous refinement based on real user feedback. Small details—such as clearer navigation labels, a search bar for locations, and more prominent CTAs—significantly improved usability. Testing also highlighted the value of personalization and engagement, shaping our features like voice notes, avatars, and interactive delivery options.
Our iterative design and usability testing process reinforced the importance of continuous refinement based on real user feedback. Small details—such as clearer navigation labels, a search bar for locations, and more prominent CTAs—significantly improved usability. Testing also highlighted the value of personalization and engagement, shaping our features like voice notes, avatars, and interactive delivery options.
If I Revisited This Project…
If I Revisited This Project…
If I Revisited This Project…
Beyond usability, I would enhance inclusivity by incorporating voice commands, height-adjustable Starships, and multilingual personalization to ensure accessibility for all students. Strengthening screening mechanisms and privacy controls would further enhance safety and trust in the platform.
Ultimately, this project highlighted that functionality and human connection go hand in hand in creating impactful digital experiences. By balancing efficiency with personalization, our platform transforms everyday deliveries into opportunities for interaction, engagement, and community-building on campus.
Beyond usability, I would enhance inclusivity by incorporating voice commands, height-adjustable Starships, and multilingual personalization to ensure accessibility for all students. Strengthening screening mechanisms and privacy controls would further enhance safety and trust in the platform.
Ultimately, this project highlighted that functionality and human connection go hand in hand in creating impactful digital experiences. By balancing efficiency with personalization, our platform transforms everyday deliveries into opportunities for interaction, engagement, and community-building on campus.
Beyond usability, I would enhance inclusivity by incorporating voice commands, height-adjustable Starships, and multilingual personalization to ensure accessibility for all students. Strengthening screening mechanisms and privacy controls would further enhance safety and trust in the platform.
Ultimately, this project highlighted that functionality and human connection go hand in hand in creating impactful digital experiences. By balancing efficiency with personalization, our platform transforms everyday deliveries into opportunities for interaction, engagement, and community-building on campus.
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