Concept
What would a parking process look like if it was designed entirely around the user?
Lou represents a visionary user interface for an external parking assistant, offering a forward-thinking response to the challenges of urban parking.
The concept not only enables early identification of optimal parking spaces but also facilitates smart management of parking durations and automated payment processes. In doing so, Lou takes into account key stakeholders – including local authorities, residents, and visitors alike.
The concept not only enables early identification of optimal parking spaces but also facilitates smart management of parking durations and automated payment processes. In doing so, Lou takes into account key stakeholders – including local authorities, residents, and visitors alike.
The ultimate goal of Lou is to make up-to-date parking information effortlessly accessible to anyone seeking a stress-free parking and payment experience. Through thoughtful communication between the user, the device, and the parking meter, Lou transforms parking into a pleasant and seamless process. Welcome to a future where parking is smarter and smoother than ever before!
System concept showing the interaction between application, smart parking machine, and the parking assistant Lou
As the driver moves away from the parked vehicle, Lou connects to the smartphone within a defined range.
When returning to the vehicle, the interaction seamlessly shifts back to the in-car interface.
Challenge
Urban parking is a daily challenge shaped by limited space, unclear regulations, and inefficient communication between drivers and parking infrastructure.
Through research and field observation, it became clear that current systems focus mainly on individual transactions – finding a spot, buying a ticket – while neglecting the overall user journey and interconnected stakeholders such as residents, visitors, and city authorities.
Through research and field observation, it became clear that current systems focus mainly on individual transactions – finding a spot, buying a ticket – while neglecting the overall user journey and interconnected stakeholders such as residents, visitors, and city authorities.
Application
Main application screens for planning, filtering, and managing parking sessions
Lock screen notifications allow users to monitor and manage their parking session without opening the app.
Use case video demonstrating the interaction between user, app, and parking infrastructure
Smart parking assist
Concept sketches exploring form and interaction of the external parking assistant
Positioning of the external parking assistant within the driver’s field of view
Positioning of the external parking assistant within the driver’s field of view
Lou revolutionizes residential parking with smart assistance, making finding parking spaces and handling payments a breeze
Lou in idle mode when no interaction is required.
Lou waking up and displaying the »connect« interface.
Prototyping
Lou
To better understand how the gadget would function inside the vehicle, we built a series of physical prototypes during the design process. Working with tangible models helped us explore the device’s size, placement and tactile qualities in a realistic setting.
By placing the prototypes inside a car, we were able to observe how drivers might reach for the device, how visible it would be within the interior, and how the interaction could feel during the parking process. These explorations helped refine the form and interaction of the gadget.
By placing the prototypes inside a car, we were able to observe how drivers might reach for the device, how visible it would be within the interior, and how the interaction could feel during the parking process. These explorations helped refine the form and interaction of the gadget.
Early sketches explored how the physical interface of Lou could communicate parking information in a simple and intuitive way.
Different form studies investigated how the device could tilt, rotate and provide visual feedback.
By positioning the assistant, the interface becomes a subtle yet accessible touchpoint that connects the vehicle with the user’s smartphone and the surrounding parking infrastructure.
Different form studies investigated how the device could tilt, rotate and provide visual feedback.
By positioning the assistant, the interface becomes a subtle yet accessible touchpoint that connects the vehicle with the user’s smartphone and the surrounding parking infrastructure.
Bringing Lou to life through prototyping
Lou in idle mode when no interaction is required
Selection Parking
Lock screen notifications allow users to monitor and manage their parking session without opening the app.
Smart parking ticket machine
Design study of the smart parking machine highlighting display area and light feedback
Concept
The smart parking terminal presents itself as a minimal, display-based interface that visualizes the surroundings and highlights parking availability through color-coded feedback.
This seamless integration of digital and physical systems creates a smooth and efficient parking experience. The streamlined design focuses on essential functions while leaving space for future extensions and administrative use, such as automated reporting of parking violations.
This seamless integration of digital and physical systems creates a smooth and efficient parking experience. The streamlined design focuses on essential functions while leaving space for future extensions and administrative use, such as automated reporting of parking violations.
Software
Prototyping
Coding
Animation
3D
UI Design & Low-fidelity Prototype
Figma
Hardware Prototype
Arduino IDE
Hardware & Prototyping
Arduino IDE
Post-processing
Adobe Premiere
Parking Assitent & Animation
Blender
Credits
Team
UI Design, Visual Design, Prototyping & Coding
Anja Gutmann
3D Printing & Prototyping
Benedikt Holland
Interaction Design & Concept
Nathalie Mißling
Information
Supervising Professors
Institution
Interaction Design
Prof. Carmen Hartmann-Menzel
Hochschule für Gestaltung
Schwäbisch Gmünd