THE SOLUTION

Reduce traffic related incidents 
by keeping runners focused on 
the road and their surroundings.

THESIS OBJECTIVES

The primary goal of Cadence is to make running safer, every design decision was made with safety as a top priority. 

1. Safety

Finding the best way to keep runners focused on the road and surroundings.

2. Optimization

Creating a safer way to run without hindering a runner's experience.

3. Exploration

Using augmented reality and virtual reality technolgies to help study and implement potential solutions to a safer running experience.

USERS

Cadence focuses on four running groups. Interviews and research brought forth many concerns and considerations from runners of all experience levels.

MARATHON RUNNER

– Custom Routes

– Turn by Turn

– Street Crossing Assist

– Running Buddies

Marathon runners run an impressive amount every week of their training programs. Most training programs have a minimum of four runs a week. Each run is packed full of data for runners to digest after a run.

The final weeks of running typically reach distances of 15-20 miles depending on the week. If a runner is running a new route, they can easily take a wrong turn. Even if a runner is acquainted with the location, it’s still easy to take a wrong turn when fatigued.

Surveyed marathon runners also noted interest in running with a running with a running partner if they hadn't had one already. 

Getting Started

Navigating from Home to the Routes portion of the companion app.

Custom Routes

Using the Cadence companion app, the marathon runner is able to create a custom route.

Completing Mapping

The user completes mapping out their run and clicks save.

Customizing Route

Runners are able to customize the name of their run, as well as who is able to see their route. They are given the options of Just Me, My Network and Public.

Time to Run

The following videos are from the perspective of a user wearing a pair of Cadence glasses.

Loading Route

Once a user has a custom route, they can easily access their routes within the glasses.

Turn by Turn

Marathon runners voiced concerns of getting lost on long runs. Cadence makes sure you don't take a wrong turn.

Upcoming Turn

Users are given a notice prior to changes in their routes.

Street Crossing

Crossing the road can be a dangerous task, especially when fatigued. Judgement and reation time aren't as sharp when 15 miles into a run. Cadence lets users know when it's safe to cross the road.

RUNNING BUDDIES

Run with a Virtual Running Buddy

East Coast. West Coast. Anywhere. Run with your friends by your side and have a conversation, regardless of the pace and route.

Adding a new Running Buddy

A network of friends sharing routes and run data.

Post Run Data

Open up the companion app after a run and see your stats.

DEAF RUNNER

– Speech to Text

– Smart Recognition

– Visual Warnings

Deaf runners rely on aids to hear during their daily activities but fear damaging their costly aids while running. Many run without any hearing or run with a group to help keep them keep safe from potential dangers on the streets.

Deaf runners have expressed concern over joining groups though because they feel like they are a burden to the hearing runners.

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Speech-to-Text

Cadence interprets live audio to a deaf user. The ability to know what is going on is imperative in many situations, especiallyprior to a run on race day. Important announcements are made regarding the route and missing these announcemnets could be detrimental and dangerous.

Smart Recognition

Cadence recognizes the route the user's friend suggests to run and asks the user if they'd like to load the route.

Visual Warnings

Cadence contains a three-part alert system. Cadence alerts users visually, audibly and haptically. Each system must be strong enough to exist on their own though to ensure accessibility.

Effective Yet Minimal

The Cadence UI allows users to focus on surroundings but ensures they don't miss directions, no matter the distraction or lighting conditions.

TRAIL RUNNER

– Safety Nets

– ReTrace

– Dedicated Trail Run Mode

Trail runners run on trails that often are in zones of spotty cell service. These trails can be marked or unmarked trails.

When out on the trail, runners and other trail users are stranded if something happens to them and they don’t have cell service. A common theme in user surveys showed that runners are concerned with getting injured on the trail but having no way to call for help.

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Safety Nets

What happens when something goes wrongs out on the trail? No service. Dead batteries. If a user doesn't complete their run within their anticipated window, their Safety Net contact recieves all information regarding their run, including last know GPS location. 

Here the user is adding a new Safety Net Contact.

Starting a Trail Run

Trail Runs have their own dedicated run category. This is because of the 5G LTE system. A Trail Run utilizes more frequent GPS points and checks for other people on the trail.

Trail Detection

It can be startling when someone else shows up on the trail. Cadence lets users know when someone else is coming up.

ReTrace

Lost in the woods? The ReTrace feature will help get you home. Cadence drops GPS Breadcrumbs to help get you back to your starting point.

GPS Breadcrumbs

ReTrace ensures you'll make it back to where a user started their activity.

Finish Ahead

ReTrace lets the user know when they're getting close to their origin.

ReTrace Complete

CASUAL RUNNER

– Multimedia Feature

– Run Lane Correction

Casual runners run for the enjoyment of running and also to stay in shape. 

Casual runners face danger on the road as they are more likely to not know proper road running etiquette and may be more likely to break their focus from being on the road to looking at a device.

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Changing a Song

Changing a song is as easy as double-clicking the media button.

Adjusting Volume

Users can use the volume rocker to adjust their volume levels.

Run Lane Correction

Many runners don't know the rules of the road. It is important to always run towards oncoming traffic. This is also useful when in countries where the roads are reversed.

CUSTOMIZATION

Getting Started

Using the Cadence companion app, users can customize the data they'll always see during their runs.

Motion

Motion is a different experience for everyone. Cadence allows users to choose between 3 different motion experiences to help prevent creating a nauseating experience.

Always On Data

Users are able to customize the four categories they see in their heads up display. This is a very helpful feature as different stats are useful depending on the user and workout.

Adjust Always On Display

Adjust the visibility and position of the always on display.

REVIEW

Each user is benefited in a different way from Cadence. This project creates a safer and optimal running experience for users of all skillsets and backgrounds

PROTOTYPING + IMPLEMENTATION + PROCESS

Exploration

The remainder of this page details the exploration of new technologies with VR and AR prototypes as well as implementation and process work.

Software used to create Cadence

After Effects, Figma, Principle, Unity, Maya, Illustrator, Photoshop, Cinema 4D, InDesign, Fusion 360, Solidworks, Lightroom, Insta360 Studio, Visual Studio, Keynote, Garageband

VIRTUAL REALITY PROTOTYPE

Oculus Go + 360 Video

• UI Effectiveness • Immersive Testing 

In order to create the most realistic testing experience of Cadence, three user stories were created using a 360 camera and an Oculus Go. Shooting 360 video allowed the UI to be tested on a variety of backgrounds and lighting environments.

The Rochester public will experience Cadence in VR on April 27th, 2019 at Imagine RIT. 

Raw Footage

The raw footage rotation was animated as the video rounded corners. This was done because as the prototype was tested, I discovered a lot of people remained looking forward instead of turning with the static footage.

Footage Tracked

After Effects 3D camera tracker was applied to allow objects to be placed in the scene.

Content Placed

After tracking the GPS ReTrace Breadcrumbs were placed into the footage.

Footage Tracked

After placing all of the GPS Breadcrumbs, I left the edit mode and moved into the final output mode and masked out the breadcrumbs where they intersected with world.

Color Correction

From there, the footage was color corrected and rendered for Unity.

Unity Build

With footage prepped, the project moved into Unity. In Unity, the interface of the glasses was parented to the camera so the UI would stay attached to the camera as users turned. The 360 footage was applied to the inside of a sphere with a video component and lastly transparent PNG sequences were used for animating the UI. Animations were done in After Effects.

AR AUDIO PROTOTYPE

Bose Frames + Audio

Using Bose's AR Audio sunglasses, Unity and Garageband, custom audio alerts were created to test out what a runner would hear if they were in a hazardous situation.

Spatial Left and Right Ear sounds were used to let runners know which side a hazard was approaching.

The Rochester public will experience Cadence AR Audio Alerts on April 27th, 2019 at Imagine RIT. 

Prototype UI

The prototype tests high and low pitched frequecies for incoming objects on the left, right and center. From there the pitches were overlayed with music to test how the alerts would work while a runner was listening to music. 

3D Printed Prototype

3D Scan

An existing lens from a pair of sunglasses was 3D scanned in order to have lenses in the final 3D print.

Scan Result

Modeling

The glasses were modeled around the 3D scan in Maya.

Print Testing

A series of test prints were done to get the scale right for the area that the lens would be set into.

Final Print

After getting the scale right, the entire model was printed. From there the glasses were sanded, painted and then the lenses were put into the model.

Lenses Installed

Final print with lens installation, painting and sanding complete.

THESIS DISPLAY

More photos to come. All photos and woodworking done by Derek Drocy.

Check out Derek's work: Drocy Woodworks

INTERACTION TESTING

• Button Based Interactivity

Prior to doing any modeling, a mockup using LEGO bricks and a pair of sunglasses was created to test and see if buttons made sense. Five test subjects were given the prototype and asked to run and see if they could easily find and differentiate the buttons.

RESEARCH

Vehicle to Pedestrian Communication

Utilizing 5G LTE, Cadence is able to use the same technology that autonomous vehicles will be using in the coming years. 

Wilderness Rescue Systems

Many existing rescue systems require expensive equipment and monthly plans. This created the idea of Safety Nets, a way to call for help when you're not able to. 

Wearables

Current and upcoming AR glasses were researched into seeing how displays work. Watches were also considered.. 

Headphones

Headphones that utilize bone-conduction and glasses like Bose Frames were studied. Ulitmately Cadence would use variable-length dipole technology, so users can hear ambient noise. 

Heart Rate Monitors

Clinical studies found that heart rate can be detected from in front of the ears on the temporal artery. 

GPS Systems

Considerations into global GPS systems and upcoming GPS advancements.

Augmented Reality

Realtime tracking, rendering, point clouds and existing AR implementations and future visions. 

Microchips

Research into 5G LTE chips, Pedestrian Dead Reckoning (PDR) Algorithms, 9 axis chips, accelerometers, compasses, gyroscopes and processors.

Batteries

Considerations on where we are at with microbatteries and their battery life.

INTERVIEWS

59 runners of varying skill were interviewed. The results of the survey provided a lot of useful data that helped guide decisions that are part of Cadence

The following are some of the responses that helped guide focus areas for this project.

Looking into how much people run and if it's a viable project.

This question showed how many types of runners should be considered.

This question generated the idea of running buddies.

This question brought forth the need to look into trail running. Prior to the surveys, trail running wouldn't have been a major part of the project.

This question showed a need for multimedia but also a need to for runners to still be able to hear ambient noise and not be fully isolated from their surroundings.

Reinforcing the need to look into ways to communicate with incoming vehicles and pedestrians.

This question brought forth the need to look into trail running. Prior to the surveys, trail running wouldn't have been a major part of the project.

The final quesiton on the survey helped validate that there is a need for a project like Cadence. This graphic shows quotes from respondents of the survey.

The final question was short answer and asked "What's your biggest concern when on a run?"

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Screen Breakdown

Userflows

Heads Up Display Iterations

Always On Data

Mapping Iterations

Hazard Iterations

Music Iterations

Credits

All content used for educational purposes.

Thank you for taking the time to visit my thesis page.

Portfolio: https://chadcoopercreative.com/

– Chad

© Chad Cooper 2019

Visual
Communication
Design
MFA

Communication
Interaction
Motion & 3D
Design Studies

About the Program