2025
General Motors (GM) UWB Experiences
Reimagining in-car experiences with ultra-wideband technology
2025
General Motors (GM) UWB Experiences
Reimagining in-car experiences with ultra-wideband technology
2025
General Motors (GM) UWB Experiences
Reimagining in-car experiences with ultra-wideband technology
Summary
In collaboration with General Motors (GM), I explored how ultra-wideband (UWB) technology could enhance future in-vehicle and peripheral experiences through precise, context-aware interactions. Our team designed personalized, user-centered concepts around in-car payments and dynamic air quality and purification profiles.
Summary
In collaboration with General Motors (GM), I explored how ultra-wideband (UWB) technology could enhance future in-vehicle and peripheral experiences through precise, context-aware interactions. Our team designed personalized, user-centered concepts around in-car payments and dynamic air quality and purification profiles.
Summary
In collaboration with General Motors (GM), I explored how ultra-wideband (UWB) technology could enhance future in-vehicle and peripheral experiences through precise, context-aware interactions. Our team designed personalized, user-centered concepts around in-car payments and dynamic air quality and purification profiles.
Context
Envisioning seamless driver journeys through UWB-powered personalization.
Designed as part of a client project in SI 594: Automotive User Experience, this project explores how ultra-wideband (UWB) technology can transform the way users interact with their vehicles. Working in collaboration with General Motors, our team designed future-forward experiences that personalize and simplify the driving journey—both inside and outside the vehicle. By leveraging UWB’s precise spatial awareness and profile-driven intelligence, we created concepts that enable seamless, intuitive interactions tailored to individual users and real-world contexts.
Context
Envisioning seamless driver journeys through UWB-powered personalization.
Designed as part of a client project in SI 594: Automotive User Experience, this project explores how ultra-wideband (UWB) technology can transform the way users interact with their vehicles. Working in collaboration with General Motors, our team designed future-forward experiences that personalize and simplify the driving journey—both inside and outside the vehicle. By leveraging UWB’s precise spatial awareness and profile-driven intelligence, we created concepts that enable seamless, intuitive interactions tailored to individual users and real-world contexts.
Context
Envisioning seamless driver journeys through UWB-powered personalization.
Designed as part of a client project in SI 594: Automotive User Experience, this project explores how ultra-wideband (UWB) technology can transform the way users interact with their vehicles. Working in collaboration with General Motors, our team designed future-forward experiences that personalize and simplify the driving journey—both inside and outside the vehicle. By leveraging UWB’s precise spatial awareness and profile-driven intelligence, we created concepts that enable seamless, intuitive interactions tailored to individual users and real-world contexts.
Setting
University of Michigan
Setting
University of Michigan
Setting
University of Michigan
Role
Product Designer
Role
Product Designer
Role
Product Designer
Collaborators
1 Product Designer
Collaborators
1 Product Designer
Collaborators
1 Product Designer
Tools
Figma
Tools
Figma
Tools
Figma
Timeline
January 2025 – April 2025
Timeline
January 2025 – April 2025
Timeline
January 2025 – April 2025
Duration
3 Months
Duration
3 Months
Duration
3 Months
Overview
Presenting our UWB vision to GM leadership.
I designed the following presentation to communicate our team’s vision for UWB-enhanced vehicle experiences directly to GM leadership, highlighting key design decisions.
Overview
Presenting our UWB vision to GM leadership.
I designed the following presentation to communicate our team’s vision for UWB-enhanced vehicle experiences directly to GM leadership, highlighting key design decisions.
Overview
Presenting our UWB vision to GM leadership.
I designed the following presentation to communicate our team’s vision for UWB-enhanced vehicle experiences directly to GM leadership, highlighting key design decisions.
Design Challenge
How can UWB as a technology improve the GM customer's experience?
General Motors (GM) invited students to design the next-generation in-car experience using Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology to enable seamless, personalized interactions inside and around the vehicle.
Design Challenge
How can UWB as a technology improve the GM customer's experience?
General Motors (GM) invited students to design the next-generation in-car experience using Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology to enable seamless, personalized interactions inside and around the vehicle.
Design Challenge
How can UWB as a technology improve the GM customer's experience?
General Motors (GM) invited students to design the next-generation in-car experience using Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology to enable seamless, personalized interactions inside and around the vehicle.
How Might We
How might we design future-forward, UWB-enabled in-car experiences that align with Buick’s vision of effortless luxury while meeting the evolving needs of tomorrow’s driver?
How Might We
How might we design future-forward, UWB-enabled in-car experiences that align with Buick’s vision of effortless luxury while meeting the evolving needs of tomorrow’s driver?
How Might We
How might we design future-forward, UWB-enabled in-car experiences that align with Buick’s vision of effortless luxury while meeting the evolving needs of tomorrow’s driver?
Process
Driving innovation through an iterative dsign process.
We chose to focus on the Buick Enclave Avenir, beginning with research into the brand’s identity, audience, and design language. We explored real vehicles that GM brought to campus, met with their team throughout the semester for feedback, and conducted usability testing using iPads. Insights from this process informed multiple iterations, leading to our final design presentation to the GM team.
Process
Driving innovation through an iterative dsign process.
We chose to focus on the Buick Enclave Avenir, beginning with research into the brand’s identity, audience, and design language. We explored real vehicles that GM brought to campus, met with their team throughout the semester for feedback, and conducted usability testing using iPads. Insights from this process informed multiple iterations, leading to our final design presentation to the GM team.
Process
Driving innovation through an iterative dsign process.
We chose to focus on the Buick Enclave Avenir, beginning with research into the brand’s identity, audience, and design language. We explored real vehicles that GM brought to campus, met with their team throughout the semester for feedback, and conducted usability testing using iPads. Insights from this process informed multiple iterations, leading to our final design presentation to the GM team.
Exploring GM Vehicles – Informed how the digital interface fits into the physical experience.
Exploring GM Vehicles – Informed how the digital interface fits into the physical experience.
Exploring GM Vehicles – Informed how the digital interface fits into the physical experience.
Usability Testing – Testing key features with users on iPads.
Usability Testing – Testing key features with users on iPads.
Usability Testing – Testing key features with users on iPads.
Learning Through Observation – Gathering insight through real-time feedback.
Learning Through Observation – Gathering insight through real-time feedback.
Learning Through Observation – Gathering insight through real-time feedback.
Research Insights
Key insights that informed our approach.
Insights gathered from research on the Buick brand, analysis of competitors, and feedback from GM leadership helped guide and inform our design decisions.
Research Insights
Key insights that informed our approach.
Insights gathered from research on the Buick brand, analysis of competitors, and feedback from GM leadership helped guide and inform our design decisions.
Research Insights
Key insights that informed our approach.
Insights gathered from research on the Buick brand, analysis of competitors, and feedback from GM leadership helped guide and inform our design decisions.
Target Audience — Buick’s target audience includes modern, tech-savvy professionals and empty nesters who value comfort, reliability, and premium features without the luxury price tag.
Target Audience — Buick’s target audience includes modern, tech-savvy professionals and empty nesters who value comfort, reliability, and premium features without the luxury price tag.
Target Audience — Buick’s target audience includes modern, tech-savvy professionals and empty nesters who value comfort, reliability, and premium features without the luxury price tag.
Health & Wellness — Health and wellness is a key pillar of the Buick brand, reflected in its focus on comfort, calm, and intuitive technology that supports a stress-free driving experience.
Health & Wellness — Health and wellness is a key pillar of the Buick brand, reflected in its focus on comfort, calm, and intuitive technology that supports a stress-free driving experience.
Health & Wellness — Health and wellness is a key pillar of the Buick brand, reflected in its focus on comfort, calm, and intuitive technology that supports a stress-free driving experience.
In-Car Commerce — GM’s previous Marketplace platform struggled with adoption due to a fragmented, multi-step experience.
In-Car Commerce — GM’s previous Marketplace platform struggled with adoption due to a fragmented, multi-step experience.
In-Car Commerce — GM’s previous Marketplace platform struggled with adoption due to a fragmented, multi-step experience.
Design Decision 1: Visual Language
Evolking calm sophistication through color.
Through our research, we found that Buick’s brand emphasizes calm, luxury, and wellness—qualities we aimed to reflect in the digital interface. Initially, we explored various shades of blue, but found them too vibrant for the sophisticated tone we wanted to achieve. A muted purple tone emerged as a better fit, conveying a sense of refined tranquility and distinction. Paired with subtle glows, transparent gradients, and rounded icons, this color system created a soft, approachable experience that aligned seamlessly with the brand’s identity.
Design Decision 1: Visual Language
Evolking calm sophistication through color.
Through our research, we found that Buick’s brand emphasizes calm, luxury, and wellness—qualities we aimed to reflect in the digital interface. Initially, we explored various shades of blue, but found them too vibrant for the sophisticated tone we wanted to achieve. A muted purple tone emerged as a better fit, conveying a sense of refined tranquility and distinction. Paired with subtle glows, transparent gradients, and rounded icons, this color system created a soft, approachable experience that aligned seamlessly with the brand’s identity.
Design Decision 1: Visual Language
Evolking calm sophistication through color.
Through our research, we found that Buick’s brand emphasizes calm, luxury, and wellness—qualities we aimed to reflect in the digital interface. Initially, we explored various shades of blue, but found them too vibrant for the sophisticated tone we wanted to achieve. A muted purple tone emerged as a better fit, conveying a sense of refined tranquility and distinction. Paired with subtle glows, transparent gradients, and rounded icons, this color system created a soft, approachable experience that aligned seamlessly with the brand’s identity.
Design Decision 2: Adaptive Infotainment
Infotainment designed to fit user context.
To support diverse driving scenarios, we designed an adaptive infotainment screen that rotates between portrait and landscape modes, offering flexibility based on user context. This feature enables seamless switching via steering wheel or infotainment controls, tailoring the experience for tasks like navigation, media, or multitasking.
Design Decision 2: Adaptive Infotainment
Infotainment designed to fit user context.
To support diverse driving scenarios, we designed an adaptive infotainment screen that rotates between portrait and landscape modes, offering flexibility based on user context. This feature enables seamless switching via steering wheel or infotainment controls, tailoring the experience for tasks like navigation, media, or multitasking.
Design Decision 2: Adaptive Infotainment
Infotainment designed to fit user context.
To support diverse driving scenarios, we designed an adaptive infotainment screen that rotates between portrait and landscape modes, offering flexibility based on user context. This feature enables seamless switching via steering wheel or infotainment controls, tailoring the experience for tasks like navigation, media, or multitasking.
Design Decision 3: Wellness Focus
Centering wellness in every drive.
Through brand research and collaboration with the GM team, we identified health and wellness as a core element of Buick’s identity. To support this, we incorporated UWB technology to enable personalized wellness profiles, such as Allergy Mode and Asthma Mode, which tailor air purification settings to individual needs.
Design Decision 3: Wellness Focus
Centering wellness in every drive.
Through brand research and collaboration with the GM team, we identified health and wellness as a core element of Buick’s identity. To support this, we incorporated UWB technology to enable personalized wellness profiles, such as Allergy Mode and Asthma Mode, which tailor air purification settings to individual needs.
Design Decision 3: Wellness Focus
Centering wellness in every drive.
Through brand research and collaboration with the GM team, we identified health and wellness as a core element of Buick’s identity. To support this, we incorporated UWB technology to enable personalized wellness profiles, such as Allergy Mode and Asthma Mode, which tailor air purification settings to individual needs.
Ultra-Wideband Features
Seamless drive-through contactless payments.
Leveraging UWB technology, we enabled secure in-vehicle payments that allow drivers to seamlessly pay for fuel, parking, or drive-thru orders without leaving the car. This enhances convenience while maintaining Buick’s focus on a safe and frictionless driving experience.
Ultra-Wideband Features
Seamless drive-through contactless payments.
Leveraging UWB technology, we enabled secure in-vehicle payments that allow drivers to seamlessly pay for fuel, parking, or drive-thru orders without leaving the car. This enhances convenience while maintaining Buick’s focus on a safe and frictionless driving experience.
Ultra-Wideband Features
Seamless drive-through contactless payments.
Leveraging UWB technology, we enabled secure in-vehicle payments that allow drivers to seamlessly pay for fuel, parking, or drive-thru orders without leaving the car. This enhances convenience while maintaining Buick’s focus on a safe and frictionless driving experience.
Toll Booth – Harper breezes through as tolls auto-charge, no transponder needed, no slowing down.
Toll Booth – Harper breezes through as tolls auto-charge, no transponder needed, no slowing down.
Toll Booth – Harper breezes through as tolls auto-charge, no transponder needed, no slowing down.
Drive-Thru Stop – She orders from the center display and pays before reaching the window.
Drive-Thru Stop – She orders from the center display and pays before reaching the window.
Drive-Thru Stop – She orders from the center display and pays before reaching the window.
Fuel Up – She stops for gas, pumps and pays, no tapping, swiping, or screen unlocking required.
Fuel Up – She stops for gas, pumps and pays, no tapping, swiping, or screen unlocking required.
Fuel Up – She stops for gas, pumps and pays, no tapping, swiping, or screen unlocking required.
Tolls
At the toll, UWB detects the vehicle as it passes through, and a payment confirmation appears on the driver display—all without slowing down or stopping.
Tolls
At the toll, UWB detects the vehicle as it passes through, and a payment confirmation appears on the driver display—all without slowing down or stopping.
Tolls
At the toll, UWB detects the vehicle as it passes through, and a payment confirmation appears on the driver display—all without slowing down or stopping.
Drive-Thru
At the drive-thru, UWB detects the vehicle’s arrival, triggering the app to prompt the user to order and enabling seamless in-car payment.
Drive-Thru
At the drive-thru, UWB detects the vehicle’s arrival, triggering the app to prompt the user to order and enabling seamless in-car payment.
Drive-Thru
At the drive-thru, UWB detects the vehicle’s arrival, triggering the app to prompt the user to order and enabling seamless in-car payment.
Gas Station
At the gas station, UWB detects the specific pump, prompting the user to pay from the car and enabling seamless, contactless payment.
Gas Station
At the gas station, UWB detects the specific pump, prompting the user to pay from the car and enabling seamless, contactless payment.
Gas Station
At the gas station, UWB detects the specific pump, prompting the user to pay from the car and enabling seamless, contactless payment.
Curbside Pickup
At curbside pickup, UWB detects the vehicle’s arrival, automatically notifying the store and enabling seamless in-car confirmation and pickup.
Curbside Pickup
At curbside pickup, UWB detects the vehicle’s arrival, automatically notifying the store and enabling seamless in-car confirmation and pickup.
Curbside Pickup
At curbside pickup, UWB detects the vehicle’s arrival, automatically notifying the store and enabling seamless in-car confirmation and pickup.
Final Prototype
Designing the drive ahead.
The final prototype showcases both the driver display and center display, bringing together key features such as HVAC, media, vehicle controls, and navigation.
Final Prototype
Designing the drive ahead.
The final prototype showcases both the driver display and center display, bringing together key features such as HVAC, media, vehicle controls, and navigation.
Final Prototype
Designing the drive ahead.
The final prototype showcases both the driver display and center display, bringing together key features such as HVAC, media, vehicle controls, and navigation.
Reflections & Learnings
Innovating in sync with brand identity.
This project taught me the importance of aligning innovative design solutions with a brand’s core values to create experiences that feel both authentic and meaningful to users.
Reflections & Learnings
Innovating in sync with brand identity.
This project taught me the importance of aligning innovative design solutions with a brand’s core values to create experiences that feel both authentic and meaningful to users.
Reflections & Learnings
Innovating in sync with brand identity.
This project taught me the importance of aligning innovative design solutions with a brand’s core values to create experiences that feel both authentic and meaningful to users.
Designing Beyond Familiar Platforms — This experience expanded my understanding of UX by applying core principles to a vehicle interface. Unlike web or mobile, the in-car environment introduced unique spatial, contextual, and interaction challenges.
Designing Beyond Familiar Platforms — This experience expanded my understanding of UX by applying core principles to a vehicle interface. Unlike web or mobile, the in-car environment introduced unique spatial, contextual, and interaction challenges.
Designing Beyond Familiar Platforms — This experience expanded my understanding of UX by applying core principles to a vehicle interface. Unlike web or mobile, the in-car environment introduced unique spatial, contextual, and interaction challenges.
Designing Within Boundaries — This project highlighted how regulatory and safety standards shape design in the automotive space. Navigating these constraints required creative problem-solving to maintain both usability and compliance without compromising the user experience.
Designing Within Boundaries — This project highlighted how regulatory and safety standards shape design in the automotive space. Navigating these constraints required creative problem-solving to maintain both usability and compliance without compromising the user experience.
Designing Within Boundaries — This project highlighted how regulatory and safety standards shape design in the automotive space. Navigating these constraints required creative problem-solving to maintain both usability and compliance without compromising the user experience.
Designing for Emerging Tech — Exploring UWB features pushed me to think beyond current interaction models, considering how new technologies can be made intuitive and purpose-driven for users.
Designing for Emerging Tech — Exploring UWB features pushed me to think beyond current interaction models, considering how new technologies can be made intuitive and purpose-driven for users.
Designing for Emerging Tech — Exploring UWB features pushed me to think beyond current interaction models, considering how new technologies can be made intuitive and purpose-driven for users.
