Whipt

Sensitive Systems for an Era of Mobility and Connectivity

need We were tasked with conducting ethnography, understanding the mobile lives of undergrads through their emotions, predicaments, mental models and latent needs to find solutions to bring them more seamlessness and emotional well-being. We found that overcommitted undergraduates frequently switch modes throughout the day and cut out relaxing activities when stressed. They lack the tools needed to understand and better manage their days in order to find time for important relationships, activities, and self reflection.
when November, 2012
where Stanford University
partner Heather Kerrick
insights
  • Many undergraduates do not think about how they spend their time until directly prompted.
  • Relaxation can take on many forms and taking a break from work to do a relaxing activity can lead to higher productivity.
POV Busy undergraduates need a tool to increase their awareness of how they spend their day in order to reduce wasting time and maximize time spent on important work and relaxing activities.
concept Whipt is a smart wristband that detects location, motion, biometrics and nearby devices to determine what the wearer is doing and displays a corresponding color. The band flashes to a new color to alert the user of a change of activity or transition. The wristband information is synced with an application that generates a color coded time archive so the user can reflect on the day and set goals to minimize the number of daily transitions to an optimal number in the future.
value By increasing undergraduates’ awareness of how they spend their time, Whipt enables students to be proactive about what they accomplish each day and encourages users to pursue a balanced lifestyle that emphasizes the benefits of relaxation through efficient scheduling and personal awareness.

“2 hours is not enough time to get any work done so when I have a break I just waste my time on pinterest, facebook and television”
– Christina, Stanford 2014

“Whenever I check my email I get sucked in”
– Charles, Stanford 2013

“I like working around people but when someone stops to say hello it takes me a long time to get back in the zone”
– Sarah, Stanford 2013

  • Product Design