Wayfinder
AI Wearable Smart Glasses
Role
Product Designer
Scope
6 weeks
Skills
UX Design
AI Wearable Design
Prototyping
Year
2026
Context
Wayfinder is an AI wearable pair of smart glasses that leverages Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy techniques and adaptive AI intervention to help adults with autism become more self-sufficient in navigating social situations.
Although autism has been widely researched, the vast majority of available resources and developmental therapies are catered toward children. Unfortunately, these supports often abruptly vanish once an individual reaches adulthood and they are left to navigate the world without adequate assistance.
At a glance
Problem
Autistic adults struggle to manage the complex social systems that neurotypical individuals navigate intuitively.
Solution
Smart glasses that teach effective social interaction behaviors and adapts to the user’s preferences in real time.
Impact
Increased user confidence in navigating social situations without feeling anxious and overwhelmed, being empowered to improve social skills without fear of ostracization.
Research Insights
Research Insights
Research Insights
Literature review suggested the benefits of an adaptive visual learning system.
Literature review suggested the benefits of an adaptive visual learning system.
Literature review suggested the benefits of an adaptive visual learning system.
The use of ABA prompting/fading techniques can help improve social skills.
The use of ABA prompting/fading techniques can help improve social skills.
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a form of behavior therapy that focuses on changing or improving behaviors and skills (Leach, 2011).
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a form of behavior therapy that focuses on changing or improving behaviors and skills (Leach, 2011).
AI can help autistic adults through personalized and adaptive interventions.
AI can help autistic adults through personalized and adaptive interventions.
Personalized learning plans can adapt to an individual’s cognitive strengths and learning pace, fostering greater social autonomy (Adako, 2024).
Personalized learning plans can adapt to an individual’s cognitive strengths and learning pace, fostering greater social autonomy (Adako, 2024).
Autistic people respond to visual cues better than other forms of stimulus.
Autistic people respond to visual cues better than other forms of stimulus.
Visually-oriented support systems and intervention techniques can help improve communication skills and empower adults with autism to thrive socially (Leach, 2011).
Visually-oriented support systems and intervention techniques can help improve communication skills and empower adults with autism to thrive socially (Leach, 2011).
How might we teach effective social interaction behaviors to autistic adults, in order to help them become more self-sufficient during social situations?
How might we teach effective social interaction behaviors to autistic adults, in order to help them become more self-sufficient during social situations?
How might we teach effective social interaction behaviors to autistic adults, in order to help them become more self-sufficient during social situations?
Jobs to Be Done Framework (JTBD)
Jobs to Be Done Framework (JTBD)
Jobs to Be Done Framework (JTBD)
Uncovering the emotional and social factors that influence user tasks helped me directly design for my user's needs.
Uncovering the emotional and social factors that influence user tasks helped me directly design for my user's needs.
Uncovering the emotional and social factors that influence user tasks helped me directly design for my user's needs.
I chose to employ a JTBD framework as a more goal-oriented approach to make designing for my users more clear and actionable, compared to personas that condense research data into abstract avatars that may fail to capture an accurate representation of users.
I chose to employ a JTBD framework as a more goal-oriented approach to make designing for my users more clear and actionable, compared to personas that condense research data into abstract avatars that may fail to capture an accurate representation of users.
I chose to employ a JTBD framework as a more goal-oriented approach to make designing for my users more clear and actionable, compared to personas that condense research data into abstract avatars that may fail to capture an accurate representation of users.
Rough and Ready Prototype
Rough and Ready Prototype
Rough and Ready Prototype
A single navigational wheel allows for simple and intuitive UI navigation.
A single navigational wheel allows for simple and intuitive UI navigation.
A single navigational wheel allows for simple and intuitive UI navigation.
Creating a simple physical prototype helped ensure that my interface designs had a better match between the system and real world. I deliberately chose a low-fidelity approach so that I could focus on the necessity of a simple, non-intrusive navigation system that doesn't overwhelm the user in high-stimulus social environments.
Creating a simple physical prototype helped ensure that my interface designs had a better match between the system and real world. I deliberately chose a low-fidelity approach so that I could focus on the necessity of a simple, non-intrusive navigation system that doesn't overwhelm the user in high-stimulus social environments.
Creating a simple physical prototype helped ensure that my interface designs had a better match between the system and real world. I deliberately chose a low-fidelity approach so that I could focus on the necessity of a simple, non-intrusive navigation system that doesn't overwhelm the user in high-stimulus social environments.
Simple navigational wheel for intuitive scrolling.
Simple navigational wheel for intuitive scrolling.
Simple navigational wheel for intuitive scrolling.
Selections are made by tapping the wheel.
Selections are made by tapping the wheel.
Selections are made by tapping the wheel.
Wizard of Oz Video: How Wayfinder Works
Wizard of Oz Video: How Wayfinder Works
Wizard of Oz Video: How Wayfinder Works
UI Screens
UI Screens
UI Screens
Responsive Screen Widths
Responsive Screen Widths
Responsive Screen Widths
Accommodate for a variety of use cases and user preferences.
Accommodate for a variety of use cases and user preferences.
Accommodate for a variety of use cases and user preferences.
Full Width takes the shape of two lenses to emulate standard glasses, while Minimal Width utilizes a single lens. This allows Wayfinder to be adapted for different eyewear types, while also accommodating for potential edge case users that may not need a two-lense interface.
Full Width takes the shape of two lenses to emulate standard glasses, while Minimal Width utilizes a single lens. This allows Wayfinder to be adapted for different eyewear types, while also accommodating for potential edge case users that may not need a two-lense interface.
Full Width takes the shape of two lenses to emulate standard glasses, while Minimal Width utilizes a single lens. This allows Wayfinder to be adapted for different eyewear types, while also accommodating for potential edge case users that may not need a two-lense interface.
*I initially designed a sportier visor variant, but felt like it drew too much attention to the user.
*I initially designed a sportier visor variant, but felt like it drew too much attention to the user.
*I initially designed a sportier visor variant, but felt like it drew too much attention to the user.
Components
Components
Components
Minimal UI elements ensure that users can still see what's in front of them.
Minimal UI elements ensure that users can still see what's in front of them.
Minimal UI elements ensure that users can still see what's in front of them.
Icons and UI elements were used minimally to maintain the user's visibility of their environment, while not overwhelming the wearer with excessive on-screen elements.
Icons and UI elements were used minimally to maintain the user's visibility of their environment, while not overwhelming the wearer with excessive on-screen elements.
Icons and UI elements were used minimally to maintain the user's visibility of their environment, while not overwhelming the wearer with excessive on-screen elements.
Typography
Typography
Typography
Nunito and Open Sans balances approachability with legibility.
Nunito and Open Sans balances approachability with legibility.
Nunito and Open Sans balances approachability with legibility.
Research revealed that many adults with autism showed a favorability to Comic Sans. I chose Nunito to be Wayfinder’s primary typeface to capture that same rounded and approachable feeling, with Open Sans as a secondary complement in order to maintain overall legibility for the wearable.
Research revealed that many adults with autism showed a favorability to Comic Sans. I chose Nunito to be Wayfinder’s primary typeface to capture that same rounded and approachable feeling, with Open Sans as a secondary complement in order to maintain overall legibility for the wearable.
Research revealed that many adults with autism showed a favorability to Comic Sans. I chose Nunito to be Wayfinder’s primary typeface to capture that same rounded and approachable feeling, with Open Sans as a secondary complement in order to maintain overall legibility for the wearable.
Color Palette
Color Palette
Color Palette
What some consider dull or boring, autistic people see as soothing and not overstimulating.
What some consider dull or boring, autistic people see as soothing and not overstimulating.
What some consider dull or boring, autistic people see as soothing and not overstimulating.
I utilized an analogous color palette with soothing and muted pastels to provide visual distinction for Wayfinder's interface.
I utilized an analogous color palette with soothing and muted pastels to provide visual distinction for Wayfinder's interface.
I utilized an analogous color palette with soothing and muted pastels to provide visual distinction for Wayfinder's interface.
Reflection + Next Steps
Reflection + Next Steps
Reflection + Next Steps
I was pushed to think outside the box and explore how an AI-powered wearable smart device could improve the lives of underrepresented user groups.
I was pushed to think outside the box and explore how an AI-powered wearable smart device could improve the lives of underrepresented user groups.
I was pushed to think outside the box and explore how an AI-powered wearable smart device could improve the lives of underrepresented user groups.
Iterating on Wayfinder, I'd want spend more time designing safe guards for the user in regards to user privacy. I briefly addressed these concerns through the Pause function, but acknowledge that so much more can be improved on; with a pair of AI smart glasses that can listen in on conversations, it's crucial that wearers feel comfortable, safe, and in control while interacting with this device.
Iterating on Wayfinder, I'd want spend more time designing safe guards for the user in regards to user privacy. I briefly addressed these concerns through the Pause function, but acknowledge that so much more can be improved on; with a pair of AI smart glasses that can listen in on conversations, it's crucial that wearers feel comfortable, safe, and in control while interacting with this device.
Iterating on Wayfinder, I'd want spend more time designing safe guards for the user in regards to user privacy. I briefly addressed these concerns through the Pause function, but acknowledge that so much more can be improved on; with a pair of AI smart glasses that can listen in on conversations, it's crucial that wearers feel comfortable, safe, and in control while interacting with this device.
