Shop-safe: Crowd management during a global pandemics

Product design | Research | ADOBE DESIGN JAM | 2020

Project Overview

Shopsafe is a mobile based application that helps in managing crowd and take preventive measures in shopping complexes to safeguard visitors and staffs during global pandemics like COVID-19.

Status

Adobe Design Jam

Tools

Adobe XD, Adobe Illustrator

Time Frame

1 week (June 2020)

My role

User Experience Designer

Design Brief

The Business is facing a challenge on opening shops for the public while controlling the inflow of people and maintaining social distancing rooms in a shopping mall. Design a solution to manage this crowd during Covid-19 pandemic.

About Shop-safe

Shopsafe is a mobile-based application that helps in managing crowds in covered shopping complexes and malls.

The application abides by the COVID-19 rules and guidelines set by the government and helps administrations/organizations running these shopping complexes to take preventive measures for the safety and comfort of the visitors and staffs.
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Shopsafe’s crowd management eco-system uses AI, IoT, and Augmented Reality in real-time, helping users of this application to manage their various tasks effectively and efficiently.

Assumptions

Proposed solution will abide to COVID rules and norms set by Maharashtra Government. The solution can be further improvised and replicated to rules and norms set by different states.
Users have installed Aarogya Setu app in there mobile devices while using this application.
Design will be only for one resolution of mobile device.
Proposed solution is for a covered/closed shopping complex or mall.
Proposed solution will have no limitation in terms of digital and physical technology.

Out of Scope

Designing for all different types of Users.
Designing for all features and flows of the application.
UI designs in any other language than English.
Usability Testing.

Challenges

Proposed solution should abide by the COVID-19 rules and guidelines set by the central and different state government

The solution should be technically feasible and easily scalable to different administrative models of shopping complexes and shops.

Understanding target age group and user demographic for mass implementation.

To understand how a crowd management system works in different environment and scenarios.

Crowd Management System

Crowd management system help and enable state governments/local agencies and the administrators/organisers of events and venues of mass gathering for effective and efficient crowd management.

The purpose of crowd management is mainly for human safety and comfort. An Effective crowd management strategy encompasses of planning, understanding your crowd, communication with the crowd, communication with your team.

Target Audience

Existing Technologies

User Research

Empathy Map

Major Findings

Every person who is stepping out is suppose to have the Arogya Setu App.

User does not want to waste time in menial things like finding the right store.

People want to be updated with accurate information from government and management.

People are willing to plan everything and schedule it accordingly to not compromise safety.

Precise and accurate information about people is necessary to maintain order.

Desk research showed that AI can help schedule slots for people.

Crowd management studies shows emergency plans need to be in place before hand itself.

Final Solution

Way-Finding Optimisation

QR-based E-Pass
Quick access and exit through a QR-based E-pass with proper and well-lit Visual signage

AR-based Navigation
Effective AR-based navigation to help users orient themselves better inside shopping complexes

Smart Routing
Real-time routing to pave the best possible route and help save the user from extra steps and the crowd

Footfall and Queue Management

Time Slot Booking
Pre-slot Booking with time constraints to manage the inflow and outflow of the crowd coming into the Mall

Virtual Payment
Virtual billing queues and E-bills to maintain social distancing norms

Headcount Estimation
Estimation of visitors, staffing and services to prevent overcrowding

Streamlining Communication

Personalised Notification Centre
Get information and personalised notification based on your interests

Alerts for Temporary Closure
Get notified with alerts in case of the temporary closure of the mall or stores due to sanitisation, renovation work, etc

Emergency Evacuation Plan
SOS and emergency contacts are available for users in case any assistance is required

Crowd Surveillance and Tracking System

Analysis of pattern of crowd flow and congestion to flag areas and zone with overcrowding, people not wearing masks and other mischievous activities

Aarogya Setu App Integration
Track zone status of visitors, store-staff and mall administration to help prevent the spread of COVID-19

Reflection

Since the problem statement was covid specific, we wanted to focus on making the aaplication scalable to cater different scenarios of crowd management.
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We also iterated on how we can use this platform to cross sell and promote stuff for the business that will use this application.

Achievement

Second runner up! 🏆