Connected. Confident. Coached

2026 CCS Sponsored Project :

Shandoka Motorcycles

Team: Christopher Mueller & Sanghavi Vijayakumar

Project Goals:

Research & Identify Beginner Riders Needs & Pain Points
Design a Guided App and Accompanying Physical Prototype Product to Help Riders Feel more Connected, Coached and Confident on the road,

Timeline: 16 Weeks, 2006

Tools: Figma, Usertesting.com, Claude, After Effects, Sketching

VIEW APP PROTOTYPE

Overview

Shandoka Motorcycles asked us to make the first months of riding less intimidating for new motorcyclists. We designed Rydo: a guided riding system pairing a mobile app with a smart-glove prototype that coaches riders in real time and connects them to a trusted community.

The goal was simple to state and hard to solve — help beginners feel coached, confident, and safe without adding distraction on the road.

02

The Problem

New riders drop out early. The gap between passing a safety course and feeling genuinely competent is wide, lonely, and often unsafe. Existing apps pile on features and notifications — exactly the wrong thing to hand someone managing a 400-pound machine at speed.

We framed the challenge around three needs: confidence through preparation, support without distraction, and community without pressure.

03

Research

We grounded the work in real behavior rather than assumptions: secondary research, four in-depth rider interviews, and two journey maps covering solo and group rides.

Methods: Secondary research · 4 rider interviews · Journey mapping (solo + group) · 2 personas

What riders told us:

"You feel safe when you're prepared, not just when you're experienced."
"There's no app yet that lets you ride freely while knowing your group is safe and coordinated."
"I just like the simple ride, enjoying nature."

04

The Solution

Rydo answers the research with restraint, not more features:

Ride Mode : a stripped-back interface that surfaces only navigation and hazard cues, so riders keep their eyes up.
Smart-glove alerts : real-time hazard and turn cues delivered through haptics, replacing screen glances entirely.
Skill-based group matching : pairs riders by ability and pace, so beginners aren't pushed past their limits.
App Coach : adaptive guidance and post-ride feedback that builds confidence over time.

05

Outcome & Impact

3 concepts tested with riders
100% of testers grasped Ride Mode unprompted
1 working smart-glove prototype

In usability sessions, new riders understood the core flow without coaching and described Ride Mode as "calm." The glove prototype validated the core bet: haptic alerts can replace screen glances entirely. The clear next step is a longitudinal pilot to measure confidence gains across a full riding season.

Connected. Confident. Coached.

Concept Overview

Rydo is a connected riding system combining a smart glove, mobile app, and rider community to make learning safer and feel more supported. 
 It provides real-time hazard alerts, navigation guidance, and App Coach support. Enables peer learning, mentorship, and group riding experiences.
Builds a continuous support system through feedback, guidance, and community interaction

Secondary Research

Rider Interviews

Vijay Guna, 32

Yamaha XSR 900
Experience: 10 years

“You feel safe when you’re prepared, not just when you’re experienced”
Vijith Ashok, 30

TVS Apache RTR 2V
Experience: 7 years
“Every ride teaches you something new, about the road and about yourself”
Austin Ammarell, 26

EMoto Powersports Electric motorcycle
Experience: 10 years
“I’m content just being disconnected and in my own thoughts… I just like the simple ride, enjoying nature”
Joel Key, 35

Suzuki M50 cruiser
Experience: 7 Years

“There’s no app yet that lets you ride freely while knowing your group is safe and coordinated”

Primary Research Findings

Key Insights (What riders value)

• Freedom + confidence through preparation 

• Small, trusted groups > large chaotic rides 

• Safety is proactive

• Minimal interaction during rides is essential

Pain Points (What breaks the experience)

• Skill mismatch & pressure in group rides 

• Poor coordination (losing riders, pace gaps) 

• Unexpected changes create stress 

• Too many apps / distracting tech

Design Opportunities (Where to innovate)

• Skill-based group matching + small group coordination 

• Smart pre-ride planning

• Minimal “Ride Mode”

• Real-time group visibility

• Predictive safety alerts

Journey Map (Group Ride)

Journey Map (Solo Ride)

primary users

65, Retired

Boulder, CO

Tom Reynolds

The Late-Bloom New Rider

Background & Context
Tom always admired motorcycles but put family and career first. With more time and financial freedom, he finally took the leap. Riding represents personal freedom and lifelong learning, not rebellion. He’s invested in premium gear and additional training, but remains acutely aware of physical risk — injuries now feel permanent, not temporary.

Bike: Harley-Davidson Pan America 

Experience: 3 Years riding 

Riding Style: Night rides, canyon runs,
Slow Group Rides

Pain Points

Difficulty finding peers at the same skill and age level
Online riding culture feels competitive
Fear of injury and long recovery time
Wants validation he’s progressing safely

24, Plumber

Phoenix, AZ

Jake Miller

The Adrenaline-First New Rider

Background & Context
Jake got into motorcycling for the rush and the image. He’d been following sportbike creators on Instagram and YouTube long before he ever sat on a bike. After taking the MSF course, he felt “good enough” almost immediately and moved quickly from empty parking lots to real roads. Riding isn’t transportation or therapy; it’s excitement, social currency, and identity.

Bike: Used Harley / Kawasaki 

Experience: 6 years riding 

Riding Style: Night Rides, Spontaneous Group Rides

Pain Points