Problem Definition
Year after year, the general population is growing sicker and sicker (Callaghan et al., 2021; Sleeman et al., 2019) and unhealthy lifestyle choices are in large part to blame. Designed to treat instead of prevent, healthcare systems are failing to meet individuals’ needs and people are taking charge of their health, seeking out products and services aimed at improving well-being.
Wearable devices like the Apple Watch, Fitbit, and Oura ring cater to this shift, offering biomarker measurements that empower users to make informed lifestyle choices. Despite the proven effectiveness of these devices, individuals still struggle to make long-term behaviour changes.
The answer may lie in reforming our habits. They make up 43% of our everyday actions (Mazar & Wood, 2018) and the saying “old habits die hard” holds true for many. Researchers have found that existing habits are one of the primary impediments of people adopting and sticking to healthy behaviour (Wood & Neal, 2016).
So how do we make these old habits die? In the habit formation cycle, cues and rewards play a pivotal role, signalling our brains to perform these automatic context-behaviour associations (Gardner et al., 2012). However, effectively interfering in this cycle poses a considerable challenge (Gardner & Lally, 2018; Mazar & Wood, 2018; Neal et al., 2012).
Scope
This project explores how vibrotactile feedback, as compared to other communication modalities, can accelerate habit formation and retraining processes. It culminates in the design of a wearable device that can measure, monitor, and provide vibrotactile feedback within the habit cycle. The resulting product is designed to aid consumers in both forming new habits and reshaping existing ones to improve their overall health and well-being. In support of the concept, the final section presents a strategic business plan, launch strategy, and high-level marketing campaign.
Research question
This report is aimed at answering the research question:
How can a wearable device intervene in the habit formation process to make building and changing habits easier for individuals so that they can achieve their long-term health goals?
Each section of the report approaches this question from a different perspective. To start, The Research section dives deep into the current research on the topics of habits, wearables, and vibrotactile feedback complemented by user research on the same topics. In The Design section, insights are turned into a cohesive product service system that brings the idea for the device to life. Finally, in The Strategy section, a business strategy, go-to-market roadmap, and campaign plan envision how to take the concept from idea to reality.