Polarus is an AI travel assistant platform for groups that can identify users’ travel styles, provide the best deals based on the group’s travel plan, and suggest the best sustainable travel solutions in real-time. Group members can assign tasks to each other to efficiently plan their trip, minimizing conflicts and unnecessary steps from booking to splitting budgets.
Polarus
TIME
May 2023 - Aug 2023 (14 Weeks)
ROLE
UX Research and Visual Design
TOOLS
Figma, Adobe Photoshop
Solo
TEAM
Group travel requires much more time and effort than individual travel due to managing all the group members' interests, schedules, preferences, and budgets. Also, browsing all the available options and information for group travel is tiresome. Furthermore, group travel often requires compromise and coordination, which can limit individual freedom and flexibility.
In the competitive landscape of travel planning platforms, I have noticed that many competitors fail to offer comprehensive planning and managing plan options tailored specifically for group travelers. Unlike other companies, Polarus provides all-in-one and personalized solutions to address users' requirements.
Project Opportunity
To effectively address the challenges of group traveling, we first need to identify and understand the specific obstacles faced by group travelers.
The Problem
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Challenges in Information Search
Searching for every piece of information can be time-consuming. In emergencies, people often face the hassle of calling multiple places to change or cancel bookings, leading to a complex process and potential penalties.
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Group Communication Challenges
Continuously messaging and comparing information across websites or apps can be cumbersome. Additionally, managing payments, tracking expenses, and adhering to individual budgets pose significant challenges.
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Limited Flexibility
Group travel often necessitates compromise and coordination, which can restrict individual freedom and flexibility. It may also limit opportunities for exploring personal interests and preferences.
Group travel often faces challenges such as coordinating schedules, managing bookings, communicating effectively, splitting expenses, and accommodating individual interests.
Research
Travelers reported that coordinating schedules and preferences in group travel is challenging. (Source: Travel Leaders Group)
65%
group travelers face problems with effective communication among group members, leading to misunderstandings and conflicts. (Source: Travel Leaders Group)
45%
Group travelers feel that their personal interests are often overlooked in favor of group activities. (Source: Travel Weekly)
60%
I conducted several interviews with people who enjoy traveling to understand their pain points and the most difficult moments during group travel. I found that people enjoy group traveling to share memorable experiences and costs with friends or family.
User Interview
Lauren P.
Product Designer / 31yrs
“Adjusting the schedules for the trip is frustrating because it’s so complicated to share things back and forth, and it takes up a lot of time trying to adjust schedules to match everyone.”
Andrew H.
Graphic Designer / 29yrs
“I mostly care about everyone’s safety and satisfaction during the trip when I travel with my friends.”
Jenny K.
Lab Researcher / 32yrs
“Sudden emergencies during the trip were stressful and difficult to cope with.”
User Persona
Goal
This project aims to enhance group travel experiences by providing real-time coordination through in-app messaging and customizable itineraries. An AI assistant analyzes data to predict preferences and handle unexpected situations for seamless travel planning.
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AI Assistant
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Collaborative Planning
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Customizable Itineraries
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In-app Communicating
The Solution
Users invite their friends to create a group. Chat with a chatbot to set preferences for their group planning.
Create a group
Users assign each other’s roles to plan for each day’s activities and start to research. They can easily check every itineraries that they booked in the platform.
Manage daily plan
Easily organize travel plans with group members and view each member’s detailed schedule.
Can see daily group reservations.
All-in-one booking
Users can book all the schedules they need for their trips on one platform and easily manage their itineraries.
Users can see each group members’ schedule.
Easily in-app booking service for their flights, stays, activities, and dinings.
Users engage with the chatbot to create voting for accommodation choices. The AI automatically creates a vote based on the saved options. The user books the hotel that the group members choose, and they all can see the hotel itinerary on the app.
Group voting
Users receive an alert from the app asking if they want to change their flights because if emergency situations, such as severe weather or flight issues.
Smart alert from AI assistant
Group members can easily manage the money they spent during the trip.
Split travel expenses
Users can send reminders to group members to submit their travel expenses.
Users can easily split group expenses.
The information architecture facilitates a seamless planning flow for group travel, streamlining diverse tasks. Users can efficiently manage their group itineraries across multiple categories simultaneously and handle various groups with the support of an AI assistant, ensuring an organized and intuitive experience.
Information Architecture
Key Userflows
User Journey Map
During the user testing, participants provided insightful feedback aimed at enhancing the platform's ability to deliver more detailed information. The platform now includes a feature allowing users to easily manage schedules by providing a comprehensive overview of group members' reservation statuses at a glance.
User Testing
Visual Design
The logo captures the shape of the stars with four arrows, which are frequently seen at airports or in the wayfinding system at tourist locations. These arrows symbolize collaboration and teamwork among group members.
Logo Design
The harmonious combination of blue and pink colors evokes an inviting and adventurous feeling. Blue symbolizes the comfort and ease that travelers experience when embarking on a journey together. Complementing the blue, the energetic and vibrant hues of pink infuse the design with an adventurous spirit.
