PawLink
Rebuilding remote owner - pet connections
My role/Processes
Solo Designer
Skills
User research
Experience design
Prototyping
Usability testing
Timeline
August 2024 - Janurary 2025
Context
Pet ownership is rising, and staying connected while away is more important than ever. Pawlink provides immersive experiences through a robot, an app, and AR glasses.
Timeline
August 2024 - Janurary 2025
Context
Pet ownership is rising, and staying connected while away is more important than ever. Pawlink provides immersive experiences through a robot, an app, and AR glasses.
PawLink
Rebuilding remote owner - pet connections
My role
Solo Designer
Skills
User research
Experience design
Prototyping
Usability testing
Context
Pet ownership is rising, and staying connected while away is more important than ever. Pawlink provides immersive experiences through a robot, an app, and AR glasses.
Timeline
August 2024 - Janurary 2025
Overview
Problem Statement
The "how might we question" was informed by surveys, interviews, and secondary research.
“
How might we help remote pet owners build safe, flexible, and emotionally meaningful connections that maintain daily routines, relieve stress, and provide insight into their pets’ well-being?
How might we help remote pet owners build safe, flexible, and emotionally meaningful connections that maintain daily routines, relieve stress, and provide insight into their pets’ well-being?
”
How PawLink Works
AR Glasses
A compatible headset that overlays AR cues during live sessions and syncs with the PawLink app for a more immersive connection.
PawLink App
PawLink App
The central hub that pairs with the user’s smartphone and AR glasses to sync data.
Waggo Home Robot
An AI-driven companion that tracks the pet via camera and features a mechanical arm to facilitate physical play.
Waggo Home Robot
An AI-driven companion that tracks the pet via camera and features a mechanical arm to facilitate physical play.
AR Glasses
A compatible headset that overlays AR cues during live sessions and syncs with the PawLink app for a more immersive connection.
Interaction Map
The robot streams the pet's actions to the owner's AR glasses. Simultaneously, the owner moves their phone like a toy; these gestures are captured by the app and mirrored by the robot's arm at home for real-time play.
App
Various play modes
Connect with your pet anywhere. Play together in real-time immersive AR, replay favorite routines with recorded AR, or tune in to the Live Pet Cam.
Interactive Play Flow
Choose a toy and connect the devices to start an interactive play session.
Pet Gallery
View your pet’s photos and videos in the media gallery.
Activity Log
Sync with your favorite pet trackers to view activity data and timelines.
Communicate to Caretakers
Assign tasks to caretakers and stay connected through messaging.
Activity Log
Sync with your favorite pet trackers to view activity data and timelines.
Communicate to Caretakers
Assign tasks to caretakers and stay connected through messaging.
Waggo Robot
Waggo is the at-home robot that interacts with the pet at home. It uses a camera and ultrasonic sensors to track the pet and capture live video, and interacts with interchangeable toys through a tube-hand mechanism. The built-in storage compartment serves as a hub for holding different toy types, allowing the robot to switch between play modes during live AR sessions or quick check-ins.
In-Depth Design Process
Overview
Survey
Interview
Key Insights
Primary Research
Survey
Goals
Understand the emotional impact and frequency of pet-owner separation
Identify pain points in current pet connection methods
Key Findings
68%
of owners felt disconnected
Top Challenges
48.2%
Lack meaningful connections
23.8%
Limited Time
21.4%
Lack of Reliable Technology
Interviews
Survey results showed that many owners felt disconnected from their pets. Further interviews were conducted to understand why and to identify gaps in current tools.
5
Ages 17 - 32
Goals
Deepen insights into the emotional impact of pet separation
Identify limitations in current pet connection methods
Explore user needs for future pet connection technologies
Affinity Diagram
Key Findings
Separation Disrupts Routines and Emotional Bonds with Pets
Pet Welfare Concerns Evolve with Prolonged Separation
Time Zones, Connectivity, and Pet Behavior Integration Hinder Connection
Existing Solutions Lack Interactivity and Independence
Owners Fear Weakened Bonds and Pets Forgetting Them
Ideal Solutions Combine Monitoring, Interaction, and Mutual Recognition
Overview
HMW Question
Personas
Journey Mao
Design Framing
Based on the research findings, a "How Might We" statement was formed to address the emotional, technological, and connection-related challenges identified.
“
How might we help remote pet owners build safe, flexible, and emotionally meaningful connections that maintain daily routines, relieve stress, and provide insight into their pets’ well-being?
”
Personas
Empathize with the owners experiencing separation from pets
Journey Map
How might Emily experience separation?
Overview
Creative matrix
Sketches
Ideation
Creative Matrix
Brainstorm potential solutions with user needs and feature/solution sources.
Rapid Sketches
Based on inspiration from the creative matrix, I did sketches of a variety of ideas.
Overview
Initial robot design
Use scenarios
Sitemap + Wireframes
Lo-Fi Prototyping
The Robot
Use Scenarios
Brainstorming different ways in which the robot and AR glasses can foster connection.
Site Map for Mobile App
The phone app is an intermediary platform that facilities the connection between the robot and the glasses. The user flow diagram captures the basic structure and functions of the app.
Overview
HMW Question
Personas
Journey Map
Testing
To assess usability, SUS tests and post-test interviews were conducted to gather quantitative and qualitative insights.
System Usability Scale (SUS) Testing
After the completing the SUS, Interviews were conducted with each participant.
Key patterns:
Overview
Iterations
Internal Assessment
Iterations
Major usability flaws found in testing
Refining mid-fi design based on testing findings
Following usability testing, additional feedback from design peers was gathered to evaluate visual design of the product.
Overview
Hi-Fi App Screens
Final Robot Design
The Interactive System
Final Design
Based on critique feedback, the Hi-Fi prototype was iterated with more playful visuals to enhance its game-like experience.
App Screens
"Waggo" Robot Design + AR Glasses
The app connects the Waggo robot and AR glasses to facilitate remote interactive play.
Interactive System: Asynchronous and Synchronous
The robot, AR glasses, and mobile app work together to support bonding experiences.
Overview
Research
Mock screens
Future Envisions
Potential directions and features that could be developed in the future.
Broader Pet Compatibility
Facilitating Multiple Types of Pets
Key mechanims:
Interfaces
PawLink
Primary Research
Survey
Goals
Understand the emotional impact and frequency of pet-owner separation
Identify pain points in current pet connection methods
Key Findings
68%
of owners felt disconnected
Top Challenges
48.2%
Lack meaningful connections
23.8%
Limited Time
21.4%
Lack of Reliable Technology
Interviews
Survey results showed that many owners felt disconnected from their pets. Further interviews were conducted to understand why and to identify gaps in current tools.
5
Ages 17 - 32
Goals
Deepen insights into the emotional impact of pet separation
Identify limitations in current pet connection methods
Explore user needs for future pet connection technologies
Affinity Diagram
Key Findings
Separation Disrupts Routines and Emotional Bonds with Pets
Pet Welfare Concerns Evolve with Prolonged Separation
Time Zones, Connectivity, and Pet Behavior Integration Hinder Connection
Existing Solutions Lack Interactivity and Independence
Owners Fear Weakened Bonds and Pets Forgetting Them
Ideal Solutions Combine Monitoring, Interaction, and Mutual Recognition
In-Depth Design Process
Lo-Fi Prototyping
The Robot
Use Scenarios
Brainstorming different ways in which the robot and AR glasses can foster connection.
Site Map for Mobile App
The phone app is an intermediary platform that facilities the connection between the robot and the glasses. The user flow diagram captures the basic structure and functions of the app.
Design Framing
Based on the research findings, a "How Might We" statement was formed to address the emotional, technological, and connection-related challenges identified.
“
How might we help remote pet owners build safe, flexible, and emotionally meaningful connections that maintain daily routines, relieve stress, and provide insight into their pets’ well-being?
”
Personas
Empathize with the owners experiencing separation from pets
Journey Map
How might Emily experience separation?
Testing
To assess usability, SUS tests and post-test interviews were conducted to gather quantitative and qualitative insights.
System Usability Scale (SUS) Testing
After the completing the SUS, Interviews were conducted with each participant.
Key patterns:
Iterations
Major usability flaws found in testing
Refining mid-fi design based on testing findings
Following usability testing, additional feedback from design peers was gathered to evaluate visual design of the product.
Final Design
Based on critique feedback, the Hi-Fi prototype was iterated with more playful visuals to enhance its game-like experience.
App Screens
"Waggo" Robot Design + AR Glasses
The app connects the Waggo robot and AR glasses to facilitate remote interactive play.
Interactive System: Asynchronous and Synchronous
The robot, AR glasses, and mobile app work together to support bonding experiences.