Boost IoT at the Boostcamp
Last week, our IoT Boostcamp took place on the Weissenstein. We developed prototypes to provide technical support for Collectors, the social delivery service by bicycle in Solothurn. We chose a design thinking approach as we believe that people must be placed at the centre of useful solutions.
Developing empathy through interviews, observations and surveys
Before the Boostcamp, Jasmin Ziegler conducted interviews and observations with Collectors. Customers were also asked about their satisfaction and motives in a survey. The results were presented to the participants in the form of a film along with statistical analysis.
Defining a point of view with Business Model Canvas and Value Proposition Design
Philipp Keel, the Managing Director of Collectors, was available at the Boostcamp to provide more information and answer the participants' questions directly. We visualised Collectors' business model with Business Model Canvas and developed a suitable solution with Value Proposition Canvas.
Building prototypes using Axure, Azure IoT, Raspberry Pi, TouchGFX and Xamarin
With our solution, the customer scans the shopping bag in the shop using an interactive touch panel attached to the Collectors’ storage rack. The customer can also opt to register the shopping bag with a mobile phone app. The transport order is then communicated to the dispatcher in the head office via a management UI. The message is relayed to the courier who receives the instructions for the pick-up and delivery via a mobile app.
We created the prototypes for the touch panel with TouchGFX & Raspberry Pi, Axure for the dispatcher’s management UI, Azure-IoT for the central backend and Xamarin for mobile app solutions.
Testing by the customer: fail fast, fail often
We had about one day to work out the solution, which of course was not enough for a complete integration, but it was definitely enough for an initial prototype to impress the customer. Because this is what design thinking is all about – producing lightweight prototypes that can be quickly tested where the customer is. True to the motto: fail fast, fail often.
We are also embracing this philosophy for the IoT Boostcamp itself and will plan more time for the actual prototyping next time.
