HydroTracker

O V E R V I E W

HydroTracker is an IoT-based smart water management tool designed to tackle the issue of global water scarcity.By offering real-time monitoring and control, it empowers individuals and communities to optimize water usage, aligning with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal of ensuring clean water and sanitation for all.

M Y R O L E

Conducting Competitive Analysis, Designing and Analyzing Online Surveys, Analyzing Qualitative & Quantitative Data, Performing User Interviews, Developing Product Strategy and Architecture, Building a Design System, Prototyping, Usability Testing, Gathering Feedback, and Implementing Iterations.

C L I E N T

United Nations

I N D U S T R Y

Environmental Technology

D U R A T I O N

January 2024

4 Months

January 2024

4 Months

T O O L S

P R O B L E M S T A T E M E N T

The UN challenged the world with 17 global goals by 2030

The United Nations launched 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aimed at tackling global challenges by 2030. We took the initiative to explore these goals in depth.

We chose SDG 6, aiming a solution that aligns with the UN’s vision for a sustainable future.

We picked clean water - here's why

The UN challenged the world with 17 global goals by 2030

The United Nations launched 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aimed at tackling global challenges by 2030. We took the initiative to explore these goals in depth.

We chose SDG 6, aiming a solution that aligns with the UN’s vision for a sustainable future.

We picked clean water - here's why

The UN challenged the world with 17 global goals by 2030

The United Nations launched 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aimed at tackling global challenges by 2030. We took the initiative to explore these goals in depth.

We chose SDG 6, aiming a solution that aligns with the UN’s vision for a sustainable future.

We picked clean water - here's why

I N I T I A L T H O U G H T S

We started questioning the obvious: with water everywhere, why can't people access it?

Our 5 Whys journey revealed something unexpected

Our 5 Whys journey revealed

something unexpected

Why isn’t everyone

getting clean water?

Because many communities lack

the infrastructure to provide it.

Why isn’t everyone

getting clean water?

Because many communities lack the infrastructure to provide it.

Why isn’t everyone getting clean water?

Why do they lack

infrastructure?

Because there’s insufficient funding and

resources directed toward these areas.

Why do they lack

infrastructure?

Because there’s insufficient funding and resources directed toward these areas.

Why do they lack infrastructure?

Why isn’t there more

funding available?

Because many people are unaware of the severity

of the issue leading them to use water so carelessly.

Why isn’t there more funding available?

Why would people use

water so carelessly?

Because they don't have a smart water management system like

smart home appliances, which makes manual management tiring.

Why would people use

water so carelessly?

Because they don't have a smart water management system like smart home appliances, which makes manual management tiring.

Why would people use water so carelessly?

Why don’t they have a smart

water management system?

Because existing solutions provide smart water taps that everyone can't afford,

and other solutions don’t bridge individual efforts with the needs of the world.

Why don’t they have a smart water management system?

Spoiler alert: here's how we solve it in 6 steps

Get High-Res detailed Framework Diagram here.

STEP 1
User Saves Water
STEP 2
Earns Reward
STEP 3
Shops with Partnered Brands
STEP 4
Brand growth support infrastructure
and donations helping too.
STEP 5
Construction progresses with
real-time updates for donors.
STEP 6
Clean Water and Sanitation reach all.

STEP 1
User Saves Water
STEP 2
Earns Reward
STEP 3
Shops with Partnered Brands
STEP 4
Brand growth support infrastructure
and donations helping too.
STEP 5
Construction progresses with
real-time updates for donors.
STEP 6
Clean Water and Sanitation reach all.

The Visual Storytelling

With HydroTracker we leveraged Generative AI tool* to create visuals for storytelling.

*Image FX - Google's AI image generator

U X R

Alright, let's get to work -

We began with Double Diamond for research & validation

We began with Double Diamond

for research & validation

Div(erg)ing in

Primary and secondary research

We gathered data from 100+ points

across multiple countries

We gathered data from 100+ points

across multiple countries

The questionnaire comprised 15 high-level survey questions and received 38 online responses, with 24 respondents indicating a willingness to participate further. Data was collected from users across the US, India, Canada, Dubai, UK, New Zealand, Nepal, Germany, and Australia for a diverse unbiased dataset.

Then we explored the concept of virtual water

Virtual

Water

'indirect water'

the water hidden in the products, services and processes people buy and use every day.

Virtual

Water

'indirect water'

the water hidden in the products, services and processes people buy and use every day.

The First Convergence

Insights, Themes and Opportunity Area.

Our first major breakthrough:

donations alone don't solve the problem

40%

donors worry about how funds are used

50%

donations cover administrative expenses

40%

of water points in sub-Saharan Africa fail within five years

70%

projects fail due to No local community engagement

Inadequate frameworks hinder impact assessment, and only

30%

of water aid reaches the most critical areas

This made us wonder: what do people

think about making change

This made us wonder: what do people think about making change

Sustainable Sarina

54, a mother, grandmother & Security Officer

Sustainable Sarina

54, Security Officer

Sarina_54

Security Officer

Practical Kartik

25, a University student

Practical Kartik

25, University student

Kartik_24

University Student

"I’m looking for platforms that provide guidance on sustainable living. Making informed choices that help the environment, I wish there were resources and communities empowering us to take meaningful action."

"My friends and I are careful with expenses. We want to donate to help, but we're skeptical about transparency, and honestly, I can't afford it right now. Water conservation isn’t a priority unless it affects our bills."

Pain Points:

No platforms.

Lacks clear guidance.

No affordability.

Community support.

Fragmented resources.

Pain Points:

Struggles to find platforms dedicated to sustainable choices.

Motivation gap.

Lacks clear guidance for eco-friendly shopping and living.

Poor tap design.

Struggles to balance affordability with sustainable choices.

Effort fatigue.

Lacks supportive communities for environmental advocacy.

Donation distrust.

Struggles with scattered sustainability resources across channels.

Donation distrust.

Pain Points:

Roommates lack motivation to conserve water due to low bills.

Inefficient tap design causes excessive water use.

Frustration leads to declining motivation for water-saving efforts.

Skeptical of donations due to transparency concerns.

Feels social media fails to highlight important issues like this.

T H E M E S

We stepped back to synthesize:

here’s what we’d learned so far

Power of Participation

THEMES

THEMES

Navigating Water Management

THEMES

Smart Choices

Bridging Businesses and Communities

THEMES

O P P O R T U N I T Y A R E A

So we thought: "what if when people save water, it funds clean water projects for those who need it!"

City Dwellers and Corporations:

Solving Water Shortages

So we thought: "what if when people save water, it funds clean water projects for those who need it!"

By bringing together the water saving efforts of everyday residents and corporations, we can benefit those with limited or no access to clean water and sanitation.

When people use water wisely and businesses help, together they can support building important water systems, giving clean water and better hygiene to communities that need it most.

By bringing together the water saving efforts of everyday city residents and corporations, we can benefit those with limited or no access to clean water and sanitation.

When city people learn how to use water wisely and businesses help out, together they can support building important water systems, giving clean water and better hygiene to communities that need it most.

The Second Diamond

Ideating our way toward a solution.

Next step: we mapped how users

would actually experience this

From here, we followed the journey:

Mapping our users navigate the system.

Next step: we mapped how users

would actually experience this

With our solution clear, we set three

goals to guide our design

With our solution clear, we set three

goals to guide our design

Effortless Water Management

A platform that streamlines smart water management, encouraging responsible usage and positive behavioral changes through modern technology.

Effortless Water Management

Empowering Informed Choices

The solution builds trust enabling users to tackle global challenges by offering personalized sustainable options that empower informed decision-making in them.

Empowering Informed Choices

Strategic Partnerships

Collaborates with industry leaders like Walmart to enhance engagement, driving financial growth and social responsibility through water conservation initiatives.

Strategic Partnerships

W I R E F R A M E S

We started sketching and iterating

through multiple design versions

In our first semester, our team developed HydroTracker and received praise for our solid research. However, we failed to define our target audience: were we focusing on companies or community members?

Iteration 1

Iteration 2

Iteration 3

U S A B I LI T Y T E S T I N G

We submitted iteration 1 to class, but I wasn't done - I built iteration 2&3 over summer and tested it

Testing and Insights

We submitted iteration 1 to class, but I wasn't done - I built iteration 2&3 over summer and tested it

I constructed some "paper prototypes" to outline the flow for my third design iteration:
‍

Home Page ➝ Real water dashboard
Home Page ➝ User profile
Home Page ➝ Donated projects

Moving forward, I constructed some "paper prototypes" to outline the flow for my design iteration:
‍

Home Page ➝ Real water dashboard
Home Page ➝ User profile
Home Page ➝ Donated projects

I constructed some "paper prototypes" to outline the flow for my design iteration:
‍

Home Page ➝ Real water dashboard
Home Page ➝ User profile
Home Page ➝ Donated projects

The feedback was mixed - here's what I learned

The feedback was mixed -

here's what I learned

I showed my prototypes to a small group of 15 people consisting of friends and family members to get their feedback on the product. Here is what I found out

What worked?

Acceptance and appreciation of the concept.

Acceptance of the concept.

Effortless water management.

Viewing donated projects in real-time.

Making water-saving activities fun through gamification.

Making water-saving activities fun.

What didn't?

The concept of virtual water was not well understood.

Concept of virtual water was not well understood.

Excessive information displayed on the water usage screen.

Excessive information displayed on the screen.

The app's features were not well-organized.

Finding the donation project in the app is overly complicated.

Finding donation projects is overly complicated.

F I N A L S O L U T I O N

HydroTracker

where individual water savings

create global change

HydroTracker

where individual water savings

create global change

An IoT solution that turns everyday water use into real impact—helping people save money, build sustainable habits, and support

global water initiatives.

An IoT solution that turns everyday water use into real impact—helping people save money, build sustainable habits, and support global water initiatives.

You're likely thinking - saving water isn't

new, so what's our secret? Here it is

You're likely thinking - saving water isn't new, so what's our secret?

Here it is

Encourages water-saving behavior.
Responsible Water Usage
Rewards users for water-saving actions.
Water-Saving Rewards
Instantly notification to prevent damage.
Leak Detection Alert
Boosting financial growth via daily savings.
Financial Growth
Raises awareness in individuals.
Sustainability Awareness
Donations support water projects.
Global Impact

Encourages water-saving behavior.
Responsible Water Usage
Rewards users for water-saving actions.
Water-Saving Rewards
Instantly notification to prevent damage.
Leak Detection Alert
Boosting financial growth via daily savings.
Financial Growth
Raises awareness in individuals.
Sustainability Awareness
Donations support water projects.
Global Impact

Instantly notification to prevent damage.
Leak Detection Alert
Rewards users for water-saving actions.
Water-Saving Rewards
Boosting financial growth via daily savings.
Financial Growth
Encourages water-saving behavior.
Responsible Water Usage
Raises awareness in individuals.
Sustainability Awareness
Donations support water projects.
Global Impact

K E Y F E A T U R E S

A dashboard that tracks all

water-saving activities

A dashboard that tracks all

water-saving activities

The dashboard provides users with a holistic view of their activity, showcasing their current league status, earned points, rewards, and offers. It also highlights their global impact and allows them to track progress via a detailed assessment graph.