Laika
UX/UI
Project Overview
Laika started with the challenge of making a mode of travel more accessible using a natural user interface. Instead of focusing on something conventional, it looks at dog walking as an overlooked form of travel and activity. The result is an app that uses dog biometrics to give real-time, easy-to-understand feedback during walks, helping owners recognize when their dog may be overexerting.
Software
Figma
Illustrator
Photoshop
Discovery
Problem
Dogs are at significant risk of heatstroke due to overexertion during everyday activities like walking, running, and playing. Dogs often push themselves beyond safe limits which can cause them to overheat even in cooler temperatures, leading to serious or potentially fatal outcomes.
Early detection is the key to preventing any health risks such as overheating, exhaustion, dehydration, etc.
Dogs are at significant risk of heatstroke due to overexertion during everyday activities like walking, running, and playing. Dogs often push themselves beyond safe limits which can cause them to overheat even in cooler temperatures, leading to serious or potentially fatal outcomes.
Early detection is the key to preventing any health risks such as overheating, exhaustion, dehydration, etc.
The most common cause of potentially-fatal heatstroke in dogs is being exercised by their owners.
74% of heatstroke cases in dogs are caused by exercise
In a study of 900,000+ dogs, 1,222 experienced heatstroke in their lifetime
Nearly 400 cases occurr within a single year
The most common cause of potentially-fatal heatstroke in dogs is being exercised by their owners.
74% of heatstroke cases in dogs are caused by exercise
In a study of 900,000+ dogs, 1,222 experienced heatstroke in their lifetime
Nearly 400 cases occurr within a single year
Problem
Dogs are at significant risk of heatstroke due to overexertion during everyday activities like walking, running, and playing. Dogs often push themselves beyond safe limits which can cause them to overheat even in cooler temperatures, leading to serious or potentially fatal outcomes.
Early detection is the key to preventing any health risks such as overheating, exhaustion, dehydration, etc.
The most common cause of potentially-fatal heatstroke in dogs is being exercised by their owners.
74% of heatstroke cases in dogs are caused by exercise
In a study of 900,000+ dogs, 1,222 experienced heatstroke in their lifetime
Nearly 400 cases occurr within a single year
Main Goal
Creating a natural user interface that helps prevent health risks in dogs.
Creating a natural user interface that helps prevent health risks in dogs.
Initial Solution
An app that uses real-time statistics to inform owners of their dogs biometrics, preventing overheating and overexertion.
An app that uses real-time statistics to inform owners of their dogs biometrics, preventing overheating and overexertion.
skip to final solution
Research
Competitors
Petpace
Overview: a biometric collar that gives owners peace of mind with near real-time vital signs, AI insights, and alerts that help them stay ahead of health issues.
Offerings:
Vital signs: temp, pulse, respiration
Health monitoring and Alerts
Pain detection and chronic care programs
Sleep and Activity tracking
Unlimited 24/7 Vet Access via chat or video
Overview: a biometric collar that gives owners peace of mind with near real-time vital signs, AI insights, and alerts that help them stay ahead of health issues.
Offerings:
Vital signs: temp, pulse, respiration
Health monitoring and Alerts
Pain detection and chronic care programs
Sleep and Activity tracking
Unlimited 24/7 Vet Access via chat or video
Fi Series 3+
Overview: an advanced GPS collar built with AI to track dog's health and behavior.
Offerings:
Keep track of when they're being fed.
Know when it's time for a water break
Get notified of unusually vocal or quiet days
Keep tabs on your dog's skin health to spot signs of irritation
Track excessive licking to tackle sources of discomfort
Overview: an advanced GPS collar built with AI to track dog's health and behavior.
Offerings:
Keep track of when they're being fed.
Know when it's time for a water break
Get notified of unusually vocal or quiet days
Keep tabs on your dog's skin health to spot signs of irritation
Track excessive licking to tackle sources of discomfort
How do dog biometrics work?
An old technology that was just recently miniaturized, it's the same technology used for movement recognition in Google's Pixel 4. But instead of recognizing hand gestures, it's tiny movements under the fur. Mini radar motion sensors that emit radio waves to detect subtle changes.
These collars along with other technology can provide owners with real-time stats that prevent any health risks.
An old technology that was just recently miniaturized, it's the same technology used for movement recognition in Google's Pixel 4. But instead of recognizing hand gestures, it's tiny movements under the fur. Mini radar motion sensors that emit radio waves to detect subtle changes.
These collars along with other technology can provide owners with real-time stats that prevent any health risks.
Collars and other wearables can track:
temperature
pulse
respiration
activity
posture
pain
wellness
sleep quality
exercise
Collars and other wearables can track:
temperature
pulse
respiration
activity
posture
pain
wellness
sleep quality
exercise
Ideation
Main offerings
Makes dog walking safer for all owners
Uses dog biometrics to detect signs of overexertion, overheating, and other risks
Uses the dog's information (breed, age, weight, etc.) to calculate when breaks should be taken.
Focuses on educating pet owners
Makes dog walking safer for all owners
Uses dog biometrics to detect signs of overexertion, overheating, and other risks
Uses the dog's information (breed, age, weight, etc.) to calculate when breaks should be taken.
Focuses on educating pet owners
Features
Connects to smart leash and collar to track the dog's biometrics
The app Monitors temperature, activity level, pain levels, etc.
Sends instant notifications when a dog may be at risk.
Provides next steps when an alert is opened
Connects to smart leash and collar to track the dog's biometrics
The app Monitors temperature, activity level, pain levels, etc.
Sends instant notifications when a dog may be at risk.
Provides next steps when an alert is opened
User Flow
Low fidelity Wireframes
User Testing
In order to gauge interest on Laika, I interviewed 15 pet owners including 5 dog owners with active breeds and/or older dogs.
In order to gauge interest on Laika, I interviewed 15 pet owners including 5 dog owners with active breeds and/or older dogs.
Findings
73% of pet owners believe Laika would increase their confidence while dog walking.
Users want transparency in what triggers specific alerts.
The alerts at different levels is easy to understand as long as there's explanation.
73% of pet owners believe Laika would increase their confidence while dog walking.
Users want transparency in what triggers specific alerts.
The alerts at different levels is easy to understand as long as there's explanation.
Concerns
The initial app setup might be confusing for users that aren't familiar with biometric readings.
Users want a history log to keep track of positive and negative behavior patterns.
The app shouldn't encourage owners to rely on the app for alerts. The app needs to educate owners.
The initial app setup might be confusing for users that aren't familiar with biometric readings.
Users want a history log to keep track of positive and negative behavior patterns.
The app shouldn't encourage owners to rely on the app for alerts. The app needs to educate owners.
Visual
final Solution
Input Information
After setup, owners enter their dog’s details (age, weight, breed, activity level, etc.) so the app can tailor insights specifically to their pet. This personalized profile allows the system to provide accurate health warnings and recommendations.
After setup, owners enter their dog’s details (age, weight, breed, activity level, etc.) so the app can tailor insights specifically to their pet. This personalized profile allows the system to provide accurate health warnings and recommendations.
Monitor Biometrics
At anytime, owners can check dog biometrics. Each stat educates owners on healthy things to look out for and how to maintain a heathy range.
At anytime, owners can check dog biometrics. Each stat educates owners on healthy things to look out for and how to maintain a heathy range.
Real-Time Alerts
During walks, the collar syncs with the app to deliver real-time alerts when something falls outside a safe range. Notifications take owners directly to the biometric screen, where color-coded indicators show severity. Each alert includes steps, helping owners respond immediately and prevent further risk or health complications.
During walks, the collar syncs with the app to deliver real-time alerts when something falls outside a safe range. Notifications take owners directly to the biometric screen, where color-coded indicators show severity. Each alert includes steps, helping owners respond immediately and prevent further risk or health complications.
