Google Maps, stands as one of the world's premier mapping platforms, fundamentally altering the way people navigate and interact with their surroundings. In line with this transformative spirit, our project endeavors to further enrich the Google Maps experience. We aim to create a sophisticated communication system that integrates into Google Maps, allowing users to coordinate meet-ups while they navigate to their chosen destinations. Whether it's meeting a friend for coffee or rendezvousing with colleagues at a conference, our solution seeks to simplify the process, making real-time communication an effortless part of the journey. This innovative addition not only promotes convenience but also enhances the functionality of Google Maps, ensuring that it remains an indispensable tool for users' daily lives.
In this project, my goal was to introduce a novel Meet-up Helper feature for Google Maps, drawing inspiration from the well-established design principles and systems already in place. Several challenges presented themselves throughout the project. First and foremost, I had to address the fact that users were accustomed to the existing product and ascertain how much they truly needed this new feature and under what specific circumstances. This required extensive research and understanding.
Furthermore, I faced the challenge of designing the feature in a way that would seamlessly blend with the existing Google Maps interface, ensuring a cohesive and smooth user experience. The aim was to make it feel like a natural extension of Google Maps while enhancing its functionality.
"How to enhance communications between co-travelers with Google Maps so they can meet up successfully?"
In collaboration with my team, we undertook a competitive analysis to gain insights into the current industrial navigation/mapping products. The findings revealed that the prevailing solution involves real-time location sharing. What sets these products apart is whether users have the capability to communicate with one another. Some products also differentiate themselves by incorporating social media features, and privacy control options are also a key consideration.
I created the SWOT diagram to further look into the opportunity of integrating a communication system around Google Maps.
For the user research, I mainly wanted to understand people's current experience when hanging out with others. The questions are follows:
“I will contact my friend before I leave, when I am approaching, and when I arrive.”
"I would be concerned about privacy if I'm gonna share my real-time location with my friends."
“I wish there is a way to let them know I got on the subway because I have no signal.”
With the findings discovered from user research, I am able to answer the research questions that were stated in previous.
Taking into account the user research findings, the core objective of the proposed communication system integrated with Google Maps is to facilitate and sustain users' mutual awareness of each party's essential travel progress while traveling together.
Rather than sharing real-time locations, this system will focus on conveying key status updates relevant to each user's journey within the group.
Ideas may be imaginative, but when it comes to design, thoughtfulness is key. In the final design choice, we opted not to incorporate the Group Message function. This decision was made after observing that users typically prefer using various other chat applications for communication, rather than engaging with chats within Google Maps.
Instead, we have integrated chat apps into the user flow, allowing users to share an invitation link to activate trip trackers, aligning with their behavior and offering a more convenient experience.
Once the destination is confirmed, Google Maps will automatically generate a shareable link that users can send to their fellow co-travelers within their chat group.
As users set out for their appointment, all they need to do is click on the shareable link. This link will take them to the Google Maps navigation page, featuring a "Share Key Status" button. By clicking on this button, users can effortlessly share and monitor their own travel progress, as well as that of their co-travelers.
Once users reach their destination, they have the option to either manually close the tracker or remain online to monitor the progress of their co-travelers.
It's important to emphasize that the link will automatically deactivate when all group members opt to conclude the sharing after a successful meet-up.
As co-travelers join the tracker, their profile images will appear on the screen. Subsequently, users will begin to receive notifications concerning updates on the key status of their fellow travelers.
While en route, users have the option to check the status of an individual co-traveler or the entire group by simply clicking on the respective profile images. It's important to note that the selected profile image is highlighted in yellow, indicating whose key statuses are currently being displayed.
To test whether the Meet-up Helper feature is meaningful and improve users' experience, I conducted usability testing with three participants who I interviewed previously. The idea was appreciated and users found the feature is smooth and straightforward, however, there still have opportunities for improvements.
"I feel more secure about my privacy when only my status is shared, instead of the real-time location."
"Simple steps, but some words can be polished to be more user-friendly."
"Why do you create the prototype in dard mode?"
Throughout the project, I firmly believe that the competitive analysis conducted in the early research phase played a pivotal role in providing me with valuable insights into the landscape of existing industrial products. It taught me how real-time location sharing is harnessed for various purposes and how applications can enhance the user experience beyond mere navigation functionality, which might otherwise seem mundane.
However, even though real-time location sharing is the most common function in mature applications, users expressed valid concerns about privacy during interviews. This led me to question whether real-time location sharing is the optimal choice and whether there might be a substitute that not only offers information but also safeguards users' privacy. I am pleased that we ultimately decided to introduce the key status sharing feature, as it appears to be a promising avenue for further development.
In summary, while learning from the practices of others is invaluable, the ability to think creatively and question the status quo is equally precious.
This project has provided me with a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience in the realm of communication, extending beyond user-to-user interactions within an app to encompass how users interact with the application itself. I've learned that it's crucial to consider the context, objectives, and content when addressing user communication needs.
Taking this project as an example, when users engage with Google Maps, the context primarily revolves around trip planning and embarking on the journey. This naturally leads to the question of why people need to communicate while using Google Maps. The common scenario is a meet-up when users are traveling in a group. Collaborating with my team, we unearthed the underlying needs and objectives for communication, forming the bedrock of the entire project.
Moreover, it's essential to understand what users are trying to convey - the content of their communication. In the design phase, I initially introduced the group message feature. However, it became evident that users only required limited information from each other regarding the trip. For other communication or chat needs, they preferred to use various external chat applications. This experience has broadened my understanding of communication from diverse angles, shedding light on my role as a UX designer.
