2026 UI / UX Mobility Project : Shado3
Project Goals:
Reduce travel stress through smarter time-conscious mobility
Transform travel gaps into meaningful experiences by creating a “3rd place”
Your Third Space. In Motion.
A smart autonomous travel companion that stays one step ahead, helping you move through trips with less stress, better timing, and smoother experiences from start to finish.
Travelers Needs & Pain Points when Traveling
Secondary Travel Research
Problem Journey
Business travelers often experience travel gaps where unreliable transportation, time-consuming rental processes, and unfamiliar city environments make it difficult to confidently leave the airport or hotel.
As a result, valuable downtime is often wasted waiting, rather than being used for meaningful local experiences.
Business Traveler Scenario
Before Check-out, Bored in Hotel Room
Kicked out of Room:
I don’t know what to do,
I am not familiar with this city
I’ll just stay at the hotel bar all afternoon,
I don’t want to get lost or miss my flight and I don’t want to spend more time than I need to at the stressful airport!
primary user
primary user
Douglas
Age: 42
Gender: Male
Location: Chicago, IL
Occupation: Product Manager
Income: $200k
Travel Frequency: 2–3 Long-Haul Trips per Month
Travel Type: Business + Occasional leisure extension
“I want to explore more, and get the most I can out of my work trips. Work often takes me to cities I’ve never visited before, and it feels like a missed opportunity to spend hours in airports, conference rooms, or hotel lobbies without experiencing the culture just outside the door.“
Pain Points
Time Uncertainty Travelers can’t confidently judge how much time they truly have—between traffic, security, and boarding, everything feels unpredictable.
Fear of Missing the Flight Even small risks feel unacceptable, leading travelers to avoid leaving the airport altogether.
No Clear “Safe Exploration Zone” There’s no system that defines how far they can go while still guaranteeing a safe return.
Mental Overload Constantly tracking time, navigation, flight updates, and logistics creates cognitive fatigue during an already stressful travel window.
Lack of Trust in Transportation Existing options (rideshare, transit) feel too variable and unreliable for time-sensitive situations.
Travel Fatigue Limits Decision-Making Jet lag, low energy, and stress reduce willingness to plan or explore—even when time is available.
Design System
User Testing
High Fidelity • App
High Fidelity • in-vehicle
User Testing
Michael
“I want an overall trip summary, maybe on the welcome or home screen that is updated.”
Ali
“I don’t remember what time it told me I had to be back to the airport… maybe something that warns you.”
Barbara
“I need to see what my plan is, right now I have no idea where to find it.”
User Journey
In-vehicle Experience
