What's the story
Recliner seating has been a part of the living room culture for decades. The popularity of specialty seating such as massage chairs, have attracted new and younger demographics. These chairs often feature ugly and bulky remotes which incur hefty costs for manufacturers when upgrades are needed to be made. Industry trends are also pointing towards smart home solutions. My client Relaxor needed to provide their clients with flexible options which would enhance the user experience.
Looking for devices, Pairing & Remote
The app automatically searches for Bluetooth chairs close by. User pairs chair and bbegins using the remote.
Voice Commands Option
Controlling functions using voice commands. Some users will prefer using voice commands to activate their seat settings. Simply press the Mic options and say the desired function.
Personalize Your Device Name
Some households might have more than one recliner/massage chair. User can personalize their chair name.
E-Commerce Option
To enhance the experience, the user can access a e-commerce platform and buy specialty furniture and other related accessories for their environments.
Who are the users
Key Features
User Flow
User needs quick and seemless access to the remote. User will connect to chairs near by via Bluetooth. Once paired with a chair, the remote can be accessed quickly. Any delays or too many steps required in getting to the remote function will result in a bad user experience.
Wireframing & Prototypes
Quick prototypes were made to test which layout worked best. The remote buttons featured a press/hold/release function. Press/hold/release was selected for safety reasons. Users preferred to see all the main functions on one page, especially when 2 functions are pressed simultaneously (ex: backrest and headrest).
Involvement and Challenges
2018-19
Purpose of the project was to create a remote app to control recliner and massage chair functions for Relaxor Inc. I worked closely with the project manager, developer, engineers and COO. The project involved user research, ethnographic research, and user testing. Challenges included limited knowledge of the client with Bluetooth devices and app development.