Adequate hydration has a paramount importance on human health. Being conscious of appropriate consumption behavior can be difficult. It is vital to maintain proper liquid intake habits to improve overall health.
Overview
Adequate hydration has a paramount importance on human health. Being conscious of appropriate consumption behavior can be difficult. It is vital to maintain proper liquid intake habits to improve overall health.
HydraPal is a dual-component digital and physical companion that rethinks hydration monitoring and fosters awareness of healthy routines. The digital app seamlessly integrates AI technology to provide users with personalized insights and recommendations, optimizing liquid intake choices and routine for better health. Complementing the app is an optional wearable tech that further eases the tracking by automatically detecting, weighing, and logging drinks to the app providing a truly hands-off experience in tracking daily intake without manual entry. HydraPal breaks conventional boundaries of data-tracking applications; it minimizes the onus of data input and unfolds a simulation that entices users to engage in a consistent hydration routine to nurture the health of their digital companion, mirroring the positive impact on their own health.
Process
We conducted background research in the space of hydration and nutrition tracking to understand challenges and opportunities that our solution should address. We performed in-depth interviews with potential users from diverse backgrounds to understand their needs, challenges, behaviors, and goals. A competitive analysis was also done to gain insights into the market landscape and our product placement.
The nutrition tab in the health app allows for recording precise intake of water and nutrients. However, users must know how to calculate nutrient amount themselves to input. Additionally, the app does not interpret the meaning of the numbers for users.
The Waterllama app sets tasks that remind and motivate users to drink water to fill in animal patterns. Users gain incentives to drink water but will not be penalized for not completing. The app also limits to only displaying extracted water from each beverage and not nutrients.
The ulla is a physical sensor and light that flashes to remind users to drink water. However, it only reminds users to drink water more frequently without a clear goal of total intake that users should reach.
The HidrateSpark is an app and smart bottle that links to remind and track precise liquid intake. The bottle allows for precise measurements of amount but limits to only beverages consumed with the bottle being recorded.
90% of participants value health and recognize the importance of hydration habits but less than 40% of participants consciously try to be healthy
Among participants trying to be conscious about their health, many had a problem with their choice of liquid wanting to drink less coffee and alcohol. Almost all of the participants also reported to drinking less water than a healthy level but question on the conversion between alternative drinks.
100% of participants are aware of intake tracking products but 0% of participants use any existing products
Participants who are conscious of their hydration levels claimed to either track through the number of bottles consumed or rough estimates. Most of the participants hoped to be aware of their precise intake and whether they are at healthy levels but do not use any tracking products because of the external effort commitment to record as well finding difficulty in knowing the precise amount for non-clarified drinks.
Most participants did not feel motivated to follow set intake routines because responding to individual circumstances in daily life disrupts routines without visible consequences
Consumption patterns are often in flux and disturbed in daily life by the main factors of exercise, business, pleasure, and diet. Participants decide on their choice of drink and amount to best satisfy the at the moment need but hope for motivation or reminder to stay healthy.
Unconscious about health because of a lack of understanding on nutrients and scientific standards
80% of participants follow the common misconception that humans only need 1 to 2 liters of water per day which falls significantly short of the scientific standard of 2.7 - 3.7 liters per day.
Ideation
Sketched design concepts to help visualize and brainstorm different forms and functions for our product
Refined idea of product flow and key features
Ideation
After solidifying our design concept, we created lo-fi paper prototypes and conducted user walkthroughs with 5 participants to get feedback on the usefulness of the concept and features.
Based on user feedback, we iterated our design to mid-fi screens making the applicable changes.
Final Design
Impact
Reflection
To the everyday user, using health and hydration solutions requires mainly two factors: motivation to stay on track and knowledge of what actions to take. The process of ideating a simple to use product which motivates users to continue using while providing accurate and informative professional guidance in nutrition was challenging.