Making Our Society & Public Safer with AI
Google Maps: Safety Mode
Client & Institution
Google
The University of Sydney
My Deliverables
AI Web Platform Design, Background & UX Research, User Testing, Low & High Fidelity Prototyping, Visual Branding, Mockups
Tools
Figma, Miro, Procreate, Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects & Premiere Pro
Timeline
10 weeks
Team
Me - Product Manager & Designer
(Industrial design background)
Shutong Li - Researcher & Designer
(ICT background)
Ella Wang - Researcher & Designer
(Architecture background)
Yifei Pei - Researcher
(Interior design background)
Challenge
Our client, Google, approached us with an ambitious request in 2023: to explore the frontiers of content creation using cutting-edge technologies. They provided us with an open-ended design brief, leaving room for innovation without specifying any particular topic or issue. Employing various Design Thinking methodologies, we embarked on a journey to uncover the fundamental question: How can AI elevate the user experience and deliver a more immersive interaction?
My Role
In this project, I took on a leadership role, guiding our team from conception to completion. I began by defining and reframing the problem, conducting extensive background and user research in close collaboration with team members. Adhering to Human-Centred Design principles, we brainstormed a variety of design ideas and developed prototypes. Through multiple iterations driven by user feedback gathered from several rounds of user testing, we refined the final design concept to ensure its effectiveness and reliability.
Solution
Our response to this challenge is Google Maps: Safety Mode powered by AI, a specialised safety-oriented feature within the widely embraced Google Maps platform. This design solution enables users globally to share and access real-time safety-related information, akin to posting reviews on Google Maps.
Compatible with various devices including laptops, mobiles, tablets, and smartwatches, Safety Mode seamlessly integrates with users' daily routines. By harnessing the power of AI and community-driven data, our solution not only enhances the user experience but also has the potential to significantly impact public safety, making navigation safer and more informed for millions of Google Maps users worldwide.
Compatible with various devices including laptops, mobiles, tablets, and smartwatches, Safety Mode seamlessly integrates with users' daily routines. By harnessing the power of AI and community-driven data, our solution not only enhances the user experience but also has the potential to significantly impact public safety, making navigation safer and more informed for millions of Google Maps users worldwide.
Figma Prototype: Explore further details in the Final Design Section following the design process
Impact
17
people
Conducted three rounds of user testing with 17 participants to iteratively improve the design solutions.
98
%
Achieved an impressive 98% positive feedback rating from participants for the final outcome.
97
%
97% of user testing participants praised the feature for its ease of use and navigation while interacting with the Google AI.
Top 5
%
Stakeholders provided excellent feedback on the project, with our team being recognised in the top 5% among others.
Easy Access
Safety at Your Fingertips
Safety Mode, a new Google Maps feature, activates instantly with a single tap on the menu bar icon
AI-Powered Safety Alerts
Real-Time Protection for Every Journey
This AI feature suggests real-time detours in specific areas when in potential danger, using data from local media and user reports
Local Safety Information
Know Before You Go
Explore unfamiliar areas confidently with real-time safety insights for your searched locations
AI Travel Planner
Safe Adventures, Effortlessly Planned
Create secure family itineraries in seconds through an engaging chat with Google's AI assistant
Emergency Response
Your Silent Guardian
In crisis situations, Safety Mode detects elevated heart rates, automatically alerting nearby emergency services and emitting a loud siren
DESIGN PROCESS
To tackle the challenge and achieve our goal, we employed various Design Thinking methods, following Human-Centred Design and Double Diamond principles. The entire process is classified into five main phases, with the most appropriate design thinking methods utilised to maximise the effectiveness of each step, as shown below.
Background Research
01
Problem Statement
Digital content creation and consumption are shifting towards app-based tools instead of web-based ones. Consequently, there is a demand for better content-authoring tools that can effectively handle the unique challenges of app-based ecosystems. Our research aims to analyse the limitations of current design solutions and discover potential opportunities for design innovation that enable users to create valuable and meaningful content efficiently, going beyond solely entertainment purposes.
KEY INSIGHT FROM CLIENT'S DESIGN BRIEF
Reframing
To gain a fresh perspective, I employed the Scenario-Based Thinking method to reframe the task at hand. This approach allowed us to envision potential future scenarios and pinpoint a specific problem, enabling us to develop more effective and sustainable design solutions.
For the Y-axis, I chose the State of the World Population, aiming to identify a potential social problem caused by human beings. As for the X-axis, I focused on Public Access to New Technology, which aligns closely with the client's design brief. Building upon this scenario, my team and I identified specific social scenarios as follows:
For the Y-axis, I chose the State of the World Population, aiming to identify a potential social problem caused by human beings. As for the X-axis, I focused on Public Access to New Technology, which aligns closely with the client's design brief. Building upon this scenario, my team and I identified specific social scenarios as follows:
Many people feel unsafe in public, and this trend is expected to continue in the future due to the growing global population.
Cutting-edge technologies like Artificial Intelligence are becoming increasingly prevalent and accessible to anyone with an internet connection.
Understanding the Problem
To delve deeper into the public safety issue identified in the previous activity, my team and I conducted extensive background research and Competitor Analysis. We discovered that a significant number of people, particularly women, feel unsafe in public spaces worldwide, and there is currently no specific and effective solution to instil confidence when walking alone, especially at night.
KEY INSIGHTS FROM BACKGROUND RESEARCH
User Research
02
Amplifying User Voices
Building upon the findings of our background research, we conducted comprehensive user research using Design Thinking methodologies. This included conducting User Interviews with 17 participants, gathering insights through a Survey with 81 responses, and employing Affinity Diagramming techniques to uncover key insights and genuine thoughts from our target audience.
“I often feel unsafe while walking alone in public”
“I always carry pepper spray for my own safety”
“I feel more fear of violent crime at night"
“It is really scary to visit unfamiliar areas or neighborhoods"
“I often accidentally entered unsafe areas or streets while exploring this city"
“I often feel unsafe while walking alone in public”
“I always carry pepper spray for my own safety”
“I feel more fear of violent crime at night"
“It is really scary to visit unfamiliar areas or neighborhoods"
“I often accidentally entered unsafe areas or streets while exploring this city"
“Sexual harassment is the most common type of crime experienced by females"
"Verbal abuse and the threat of violence towards minorities are very common"
“I experienced racial slurs in public hundreds of times"
“I did not know the street was famous for drugs in Sydney"
“I felt devastated when I was attacked by random people in the suburb"
“My friend lost her memory after having a beverage served by a gentleman, which was really scary"
“I often witness violence happening at night in that street”
“Sexual harassment is the most common type of crime experienced by females"
"Verbal abuse and the threat of violence towards minorities are very common"
“I experienced racial slurs in public hundreds of times"
“I did not know the street was famous for drugs in Sydney"
“I felt devastated when I was attacked by random people in the suburb"
“My friend lost her memory after having a beverage served by a gentleman, which was really scary"
“I often witness violence happening at night in that street”
“I wish there would be an app or service to notify me of unsafe neighborhoods while exploring this city"
“A platform where we can share safety-related knowledge could be really helpful"
“As a local, I want to share my knowledge about safe suburbs for foreigners to visit"
“I wish there would be an app or service to notify me of unsafe neighborhoods while exploring this city"
“A platform where we can share safety-related knowledge could be really helpful"
“As a local, I want to share my knowledge about safe suburbs for foreigners to visit"
KEY INSIGHTS FROM USER RESEARCH
Design Opportunities : Value Proposition
03
Transforming Raw Data into Design Insights
By synthesising all key insights from previous research, the team developed a value proposition to identify potential design opportunities. This approach facilitated a more user-centred and effective product creation process utilising Google’s AI technologies.
