Windeo - The Win(dow) at the service of the Meteo (=french for weather)

This project focused on displaying weather in your window, like Augmented Reality Information display

About my role in this project and my global feeling

As a UX Designer in my IoT course project, I had the opportunity to work on Windeo, a project that integrated embedded technology with everyday life. I was in charge of the design and user experience aspects of the project, ensuring that the information displayed on the window was clear, intuitive, and accessible to users.

  • ✅ As UX Designer (for the entire project duration): I led the design process, focusing on the projection interface that displayed weather information and clothing recommendations. My role was to create a seamless experience for users who would interact with the display by simply looking at the window.

The main challenge was to design an interface that provided relevant and clear information, ensuring that users could easily interpret the data projected onto the window without the need for interaction. I collaborated closely with the team to implement the technical solution and make sure the design was functional in real-world scenarios.

Problem Statement

The challenge was to provide an easy way for users to get weather updates and clothing recommendations without needing to interact with a smartphone or computer. By projecting this information directly onto the window, we aimed to simplify the user experience and help them make informed decisions about what to wear when leaving the house.

Challenges and Context

The main challenge we faced was integrating the technology seamlessly into everyday life. The goal was to ensure that the display was legible and effective in various lighting conditions, especially in natural sunlight. We also needed to make sure that the system was easy to use and required no physical interaction from the user.

User Research and Needs Gathering

To design a system that met the needs of our users, we conducted research to better understand their preferences for checking the weather and making decisions about what to wear. We spoke with various individuals to gain insight into their daily routines and expectations for the Windeo display.

Our User Research Approach

To gather valuable feedback, we used a variety of research methods, including informal interviews and observational studies. Here’s an overview of the steps we took:

  • ✅ User Interviews: We conducted interviews with individuals from different age groups and backgrounds, including students, young professionals, and older adults. The goal was to understand how they currently check the weather and make decisions about what to wear.
  • ✅ Observational Studies: We observed people interacting with their windows and checking the weather, focusing on their needs and behavior. This helped us identify key design features for the Windeo project.
  • ✅ Feedback from IoT Experts (our PhD professor): We consulted with experts in embedded technology to ensure that the design would be feasible and effective in the context of the hardware and software we were using.

What We Learned

Through our research, we identified several key insights:

  • ✅ Simplified User Needs: Users wanted an effortless way to check the weather and receive clothing suggestions without interacting with their smartphones or other devices.
  • ✅ Visual Clarity is Crucial: The projected information needed to be legible and easily understood, even in varying lighting conditions.
  • ✅ Passive Interaction: The display needed to work passively, meaning users would not need to physically touch or engage with the system, just glance at it.

User Personas

To better understand the different types of users, we created personas. These profiles allowed us to define the specific needs and goals of each user group and tailor the tool to their objectives.

User Journey Mapping

The user journey for Windeo is simple and focused on displaying relevant outdoor temperature information directly on the window. Users do not need to interact actively with the system, but instead, they rely on the display to guide their decision on how to dress for the day. The experience is designed to be seamless, with the window providing an immediate and intuitive way to gather essential information.

Omar - Student

Phase: Check window for weather information

  • Emotions: 🙂 Curious, 🙂 Reassured
  • Pain points: None, as the system works seamlessly without the need for interaction.
  • Opportunities: ✅ Provide clear and concise weather information, allowing for quick decision-making about appropriate attire.

Hana - Teacher

Phase: Check window for weather information

  • Emotions: 🙂 Curious, 🙂 Satisfied
  • Pain points: None, as the system is designed for easy access to information without unnecessary complexity.
  • Opportunities: ✅ Display clear weather and clothing recommendations to make dressing decisions faster and more efficient.

Solution & Features

The goal of the Windeo project was to create a smart window display system that provides users with real-time weather data and clothing recommendations. The idea was to leverage the window as a passive, non-interactive display, making it easy for users to quickly glance and gather the information they need before heading outside. The primary objectives were to:

  • Integrate a Raspberry Pi and Arduino to display weather data on a window using a mini projector.
  • Provide real-time temperature and clothing suggestions based on the weather conditions.
  • Ensure the information was easily readable and accessible, with clear and intuitive recommendations.
  • Design a simple yet effective user interface that didn’t require any interaction, making it suitable for all users, including children and the elderly.
  • Create a practical solution that could be implemented on any window, regardless of size or location.
  • Depending on your distance, you will have more or less information displayed, with Arduino we added a sensor for distance calculation.
windeo Distance more 2m
windeo Distance less 1m

Mockups & Project Presentation

Below are the mockups & presentation of our product.

Original issue

Original issue

The Design

The Design

Dev

Dev

Challenges

Challenges

Prototype

Prototype

Final work

Final work

Offer 1
Offer 2
Offer 3
Offer 4
Offer 5
Offer 6

Test, Impact and Results

The Windeo project successfully integrated embedded technology with everyday life, offering users an intuitive way to check weather information and receive clothing recommendations directly on their window. The simplicity of the interface, paired with the novelty of projecting information on the window, provided a seamless experience for users, helping them make informed decisions before going outside.

Test Methodology

The project was tested by displaying weather data and clothing recommendations on a window using a Raspberry Pi and an Arduino setup. We tested the system with a variety of users, focusing on how effectively the window display communicated the relevant information and how easily users could interpret it without any interaction.

User Feedback

Users appreciated the simplicity and convenience of the system. They found it especially helpful to receive immediate, visible information on the window without having to look at a screen or phone. The recommendation to dress accordingly based on the weather was well-received and felt like a practical addition to the experience.

Challenges

One of the main challenges faced was ensuring the visibility and legibility of the projected information under different lighting conditions. Additionally, while the technology worked well in controlled environments, further testing was needed to optimize it for outdoor use under varying weather conditions.

Key Improvements

Improvements were made in optimizing the display for different times of the day, ensuring readability under varying light levels. Additionally, the Python code for the weather data was refined to provide more accurate and localized recommendations.

Impact

  • ✅ The project received the highest grade in the class, a recognition of the innovative use of embedded technology.
  • ✅ The system was showcased at the Hackathon 2018, where it received positive feedback, although we did not win.
  • ✅ Despite not winning, the team gained valuable experience in presenting and defending an innovative product in a competitive setting.
  • ✅ The project significantly improved the understanding of how embedded systems can be seamlessly integrated into daily life to aid decision-making.

Tools Used

Hubspot
Photoshop
Raspberry
Arduino
Microsoft
  • ✅ MakeMyPersona (Hubspot) for personas design.
  • ✅ Photoshop for screen design and branding adherence.
  • ✅ Raspberry for development.
  • ✅ Arduino for sensor.
  • ✅ Microsoft tools for tests/reflection (Forms, Teams, Whiteboard).