To meet increasing regulatory pressure, reduce underage use, and enhance user security, we worked with Altria to design a solution that incorporates a progressive web app that provides robust age verification and secure device access via biometric technology.
Contributions
Client
The Challenge
The primary challenge with the Altria project was centered around designing an age verification ecosystem for a vaping device. For the mobile app, we had to design around the Apple App Store's restrictions on tobacco-related apps while still being able to onboard and configure the device.
The design challenge was to create an intuitive and accessible user interface that could seamlessly integrate with advanced biometric technologies for age verification. The app needed to ensure a smooth user experience where customers could easily verify their age through facial recognition technology. We needed to create a non-intrusive yet highly accurate method to meet regulatory standards.
In addition to the app, the project also involved the industrial design of a physical device that would use these biometric verifications. This device had to be capable of securely storing biometric data, such as fingerprints, locally to allow for quick and private access by verified users only. The design had to accommodate up to six different users, ensuring that each could interact with the device without needing to re-verify through the app. The challenge extended to making the device functional, aesthetically pleasing, and aligned with modern tech products’ expectations. This required a careful consideration of form, functionality, and user interaction within the physical design.
Together, these challenges demanded a high level of integration between software and hardware components, pushing the boundaries of what is typically expected in connected device experiences, particularly with the App Store constraints. Each element, from app interaction to physical device usage, had to be thoughtfully designed to ensure a seamless, secure, and user-friendly experience.
The Goal
The goal of the Altria project was focused on researching and exploring innovative solutions that could circumvent traditional app store limitations while still delivering a rich user experience.
This exploration was driven by the need to sidestep the restrictions imposed by platforms like the Apple App Store on tobacco-related applications, even though the app aimed to provide a more secure experience. The project goal was to develop an ecosystem that would comply with these limitations, all while keeping a good user experience and enhancing user engagement and accessibility.
To achieve this, the team considered various alternatives, including different types of web solutions that could operate independently of app stores. The exploration led to selecting a progressive web app (PWA), which offered the dual benefits of web accessibility and app-like functionality. The PWA approach enabled seamless updates, offline usage, and device integration without the need for app store approval. This solution was particularly suited to providing a continuous, engaging user experience that could leverage device capabilities such as Bluetooth for direct interactions with physical devices.
While the initial strategy involved using a PWA to offer a seamless and integrated user experience, we found that requiring users to download a specific browser that supported Bluetooth connectivity did not meet our high standards for usability. Instead, we pivoted to an LTE-enabled device solution, providing a more robust and user-friendly experience and ensuring high user satisfaction while still avoiding the App Store restrictions. This approach allowed us to deliver a sophisticated system that seamlessly integrated biometric age verification and personal device management without the limitations of having to use Bluetooth on a PWA framework. We also looked into developing a “dongle” that would modify an existing device and give it biometric capabilities vs creating a new one from scratch as an MVP.
The Process
The Altria project embarked on a comprehensive development journey, initially focused on creating a solution that could operate independently of the traditional app store framework.
Research and Exploration: The initial phase involved extensive research into various technological alternatives that could deliver a rich user experience outside the conventional app store environment. Our team explored multiple solutions, including native apps and hybrid models, before deciding to develop a progressive web app (PWA). The PWA was chosen for its potential to offer an app-like experience without the need for app store approval, utilizing advanced features like Bluetooth connectivity and biometric sensors.
Design and Prototyping: As we developed the PWA, we meticulously mapped out user flows, created detailed wireframes, and developed high-fidelity designs that included physical product renders. However, as we progressed, it became evident that the PWA was constrained by browser limitations, leading to a subpar user experience. This realization prompted a pivotal shift in our approach.
Pivoting to a New Solution: Recognizing the limitations of the PWA, we shifted our focus to developing a web app that used QR codes to link the device to the user. This innovative approach allowed for the binding of the device and the saving of the user’s fingerprint over LTE, eliminating the need for Bluetooth connectivity. This method significantly simplified the user experience by streamlining the process of device interaction, focusing on enhancing accessibility and ease of use.
User Testing and Feedback: Throughout the project, user testing was critical. We engaged users in testing the initial PWA and later the new QR code and LTE-based solution. Feedback from these sessions was invaluable, highlighting the need for a more streamlined approach and directly influencing our pivot to the LTE-enabled solution.
Final Analysis, Iteration, and Looking Forward: The insights gained from user testing informed our iterative design process, leading to continuous refinements of the web app. This approach ensured that the final solution not only met the project requirements and delivered a streamlined user experience without the need for a traditional app, but also incorporated forward-looking features designed to enhance the app’s future capabilities.
The Result
The outcome of the Altria project was the development of a sophisticated prototype that demonstrated a viable alternative to traditional app store deployments.
Through extensive research and user testing, the team initially built a progressive web app (PWA), which was later set aside due to its limitations and sub-par user experience primarily due to browser constraints.
Pivoting from the PWA, we explored and successfully developed a more streamlined solution—a web app leveraging QR codes and LTE technology. This innovative approach allowed the device to be securely bound to the user and facilitated the storage of biometric data without the need for Bluetooth connectivity. This system significantly simplified the setup and ongoing interaction processes, enhancing user accessibility and compliance with regulatory standards.
The final deliverable was a fully functional prototype that enabled Altria to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of using QR codes combined with LTE for a seamless user experience. This solution provided a clear path forward for bypassing conventional app distribution channels, while ensuring a high level of security and user satisfaction. This prototype not only showcased the potential of the technology but also provided Altria with the necessary insights to make an informed decision about the future direction of the project.
Seamless age verification and device management.
Seamless age verification and device management.
