Project
PawPal
PawPal is a tool designed to enchance dog well-being by monitoring behavior patterns, activity levels, and stress indicators. By integrating sensors in a smart harness, PawPal wirelessly transfers real-time data to a mobile app, providing dog owners with comprehensive insights into their pet’s health and behavior.
Inspired by studies on heart rate and heart rate variability in animal, PawPal uses these indicators to track physical activity, emotional reactivity, and stress, all essential for addressing separation anxiety and other common issues. Through features such as location mapping, stress detection, and behavioral guidance, PawPal aims to strengthen the bond between pets and their owners.
Moreover, PawPal enhances dog well-being by strengthening the bond between pets and their owners through greater awareness of dog behavior and health. The goal is to equip dog owners with comprehensive insights into their pets’ health and behavior, empowering them to better understand and address their dogs’ needs. By promoting responsible pet ownership, the project aspires to improve quality of life for both dogs and their owners.
Team
Time
4 weeks in October 2024
Tools
Figma
KEY WORDS
User Research
UI
Design Process
01 Interviews
To gain insights in dog behavior, health, well-being, and common challenges, interviews were conducted with dog experts and behaviorists.
02 Survey
A survey was conducted to gather insights from a dog owner’s perspective, focusing on common challenges such as separation anxiety, and stress factors.
500 dog owners participated in the survey.
03 Affinity mapping
The qualitative and quantitative data were complied into an affinity diagram, where similar themes were grouped to highlight problem areas.
04 Ideation
Based on the identified problem areas, Crazy-8 were used to effectively generate creative solutions.
05 Wireframes and prototype
Wireframes were designed in Figma to establish the layout and components of each page.
Colors and typography were selected, and an interactive app prototype was created in Figma to bring the design to life.
06 Evaluation
Dog experts and behaviorists were consulted to evaluate the concept, assess the relevance of the selected parameters, and determine if the solution effectively addresses the identified problem areas.
Result
PawPal is a tool that enhances dog wellbeing through real-time monitoring and analysis of health and behavioral data. By integrating advanced sensors in a harness, PawPal provides dog owners with valuable insights into their dogs’ physical state, including heart rate, activity levels, and stress indicators. The concept consists of three main parts; Harness, Sensors, and Application.
Harness
The dog harness measures heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV), providing data on stress, health, active minutes, rest, and sleep. The sensors are seamlessly integrated in the harness, and
transfer data wirelessly to the app. The harness has a built-in GPS that helps the dog owner track the dog’s location, distance, and movement patterns during walks.
Sensors
Sensors are strategically placed throughout the home to monitor the dog’s environment. They help identify safe spaces where the dog feels most comfortable and detect stress triggers, allowing owners to create a more supportive living environment.
Application
The PawPal app serves as the central hub for data analysis and user interaction. It offers real-time health monitoring, personalized recommendations for training and care, detailed analytics, and educational resources. The app empowers dog owners to make informed decisions based on their pet’s unique needs.