As an essential tool in the design thinking process and to visualize and conceptualise the structure and layout of the EasyNav application, we use the technique of wireframing to check the functionality of our application ideas (Brown, 2008).
Figure 18: EasyNav application wireframing.
Using the Material 3 Design Kit, we developed a user interface kit that applies user interface laws and creates a seamless and intuitive interaction between the user and EasyNav (Brown, 2008). The kit contains a number of application components and styles, such as colours, fonts, and buttons, as well as a standard layout grid for the appropriate smartphone model.
Figure 19: User interface kit for EasyNav application.
The EasyNav application provides two key features to assist the elderly in gaining a high level of digital literacy. As a first feature, EasyNav provides accessibility tools, a help and support section, tutorials for common applications, and an emergency page. On the accessibility page, the user can change the language of EasyNav to their native language. Additionally, they can adjust the brightness, font size, voice speed, and zoom of their smartphones. On the help and support page, users can write or describe any issues they are having with their smartphones, such as unintended changes to settings, and the EasyNav AI will help them resolve the matter. In the Tutorial section of the application, users have access to a variety of videos explaining famous and common applications in the simplest manner possible. Last but not least, on the Emergency page, they can provide their family members' contact information as emergency contacts, as well as call 999 in case of any emergency.
Figure 20: EasyNav **application overview.
The second and most functional feature of EasyNav is the always-on-screen rectangle with the EasyNav icon, which becomes enabled when a user downloads the app on their smartphone. This rectangle is designed to be accessible all the time, and it also provides the main features of accessibility adjustments. Using its artificial intelligence assistant, EasyNav directs users to the appropriate pages whenever they become lost or confused. EasyNav also brightens the right section to click and offers audio and pictorial guides during navigation. Additionally, it reduces the opacity of other screen parts to prevent users from becoming confused.
Figure 21: EasyNav primary function of always-on-screen rectangle function overview.
We developed a lo-fi prototype for this project using EasyNav Assistant on the mLink Translink application. The following video shows the process of purchasing NI railway tickets to Castlerock using EasyNav:
Figure 22: EasyNav **lo-fi prototype of buying railway ticket process.
Figure 22: EasyNav **lo-fi prototype of buying railway ticket process.
In order to evaluate EasyNav's usability, accessibility, and overall user experience among elderly participants, we performed user testing. This evaluation examined whether the application met older individuals' specific needs and challenges when using smartphones.
Participant Information: