WashNow
A Simple Way To Helps Fight Covid-19
About
WashNow is a wearable app that aims to remind people to wash their hands regularly and encourage them to keep going for 20 seconds to stay healthy.
Role
I led the team to design the app and was mainly responsible for user interface design.
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The Problem
Since the global pandemic breaks out, CDC has recommended wash hands for at least 20 seconds to wash off the germs. However, Most people don’t scrub for long enough or wash them as frequently as they need to.
The Solution
Designing a wearable experience helps people keep tracking 20 seconds when they wash hands and reminds them to regularly wash their hands throughout the day.
THIS MADE ME WONDER IF THERE IS A WAY WE CAN HELP PEOPLE KEEP TRACKING 20 SECONDS WHEN WASHING HANDS.
Research
What are some possible ways to keep tracking
20 seconds when we wash hands ?
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Looking at a digital watch while washing hands.
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Set a timer on a smartphone.
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Sing a birthday song which lasts for roughly 20 seconds.
How effective are they ?
To see if these methods work, I asked 4 of my other roommates to use any of these methods when they wash their hands for the following week.
Result ? NONE OF THEM WORKED OUT
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It’s too distracting to look at the time and wash hands.
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They don’t carry the phone with them.
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They thought it was weird to sing a birthday song.
What about wearable ?
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People wear it and carry it around.
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There is no need to take if off since most of them are waterproof.
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Easy to reach and interact.
Ideation
Define the MVP
1
Tap to start a 20 seconds countdown.
2
Customization of the reminder.
3
Overview of how often users wash hands.
Fianl Design + Prototype
Tap to start
The 25 seconds countdown starts when users tap on the wash now button.
25-second recommendation
The timer will encourage users to continue for full 20 seconds. There is sound or haptic feedback to notify users when the time is up.
Reminder customization
Setting up the frequencies on when and how many times users want to get reminded.
User Testing
Findings and what we can improve
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Is there a way we can trigger the countdown with voice control?
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The countdown should start from 25 seconds instead of 20 seconds so that users have enough time to turn on the faucet and apply soup on hands.
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Add a "cancel" button on countdown screen.
Launched and fail due to Apple New Policy.
I worked with two developers for three weeks and we were ready to launch the app. However, Apple rejected our app due to Apple new policy. It was certainly a huge disappointment for us.
2 months later
?
Apple announces the WatchOS 7 includes a new Apple Watch hand-washing feature for COVID-19 protection
After thought
LOW IMPACT
A smartwatch app could provide the best experience, but there is a good chance that only a small number of people own a smartwatch. So, although it may succeed in solving the user need, the minimal reach would translate to a low impact. We can also think about what would be a more common use in life ? Can we implement it into faucets or soap so more people will have access to it?
THINK LIKE APPLE
Even though Apple has the nastiest way to avoid competitors, I still truly admire how they think and implement technology into their products. This takes the user experience to another level.
