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Led the design of an AR-integrated cycling eyewear product sponsored by a leading cycling equipment manufacturer.
Role
Lead UI/UX Designer
Co–Product Designer
Timeline
Aug-Dec 2025
Team
2 Designers
2 Mechanical Engineers
Tools
Figma
Figjam
Fusion360
Keyshot
Arduino
Adobe Premier Pro
Adobe Photoshop
Skills
Interface & interaction design
User research & insight synthesis
Human-centered design methodologies
Brand identity
THE SOLUTION
Our team designed an AR-integrated pair of cycling glasses that uses an on-lens display to communicate critical information through simple iconography and real-time stats. The system provides elevation change alerts, medical device notifications (synced via Bluetooth), and essential ride metrics. We also embedded LEDs into the frame that deliver rapid, directional hazard warnings and notifications for approaching vehicles.
To support this system, we created a companion app and interface. The hazard-warning feature functions similarly to Waze—cyclists can drop pins on road hazards as they ride, building a shared, dynamic map. Hazards remain on the route until marked as resolved, preserving the same culture of communication found in group rides but through a more reliable and elevated medium. Rear-vehicle detection is handled through an integrated radar module located at the back of the frame.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
For my senior interdisciplinary capstone, I worked cross-functionally with a team of two product designers and two mechanical engineers to create a functional, human-centered pair of smart cycling glasses that integrate AR technology to enhance the riding experience for avid road cyclists. The project includes a physical prototype showcasing the form, intended electronics, and projection system, as well as digital prototypes for the on-lens interface and accompanying mobile app. This work is sponsored by one of the world’s leading cycling equipment manufacturers.
THE PROBLEM
SRAM challenged us to uncover unspoken user needs and pain points experienced by avid road cyclists and to identify opportunities for an AR-enabled “wow factor” within a pair of smart cycling glasses. Through research, we found that many cyclists feel heightened frustration and risk around road hazards and vehicle interactions. During group rides, riders rely heavily on formation and rapid callouts to communicate dangers. However, this system has major gaps—warnings can be missed, delayed, or fail to travel down the line, turning critical moments into a game of telephone with real safety consequences.
FINAL DESIGNS
GLASSES
OLED Display Info
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The OLED display is dedicated to showing secondary, at-a-glance information that riders may want to reference during their ride.
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Because of its compact size, the content cycles through as needed, and cyclists can fully customize what appears through the companion app based on their personal preferences.
LED Indicators
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The LED indicators are designed to communicate the most critical, time-sensitive information with clear directional context so riders can anticipate where alerts are coming from.
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Yellow LEDs signal rear-approaching vehicles (detected through our radar system, which identifies any large moving object).
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Green LEDs indicate upcoming road hazards that have been marked by other cyclists, giving riders advance notice to prepare and maneuver safely.
APP
Registration Flow
Animated loading screen featuring the logo
Login / sign-up page
Guided steps to connect the app with the product
Homepage - AR Glasses Integration
Easy toggle between day/night mode, synced across both the glasses and the app for improved visibility
Displays glasses battery life at a glance
Quick toggle on/off for active features and Bluetooth-connected devices
Allows users to customize which features are readily available, tailoring the glasses to their personal riding needs
Stats/Metrics & Socials
Defaults to showing daily stats and metrics
Users can toggle between daily, weekly, monthly, 6-month, and yearly views
Displays ride details and achievements earned during each ride
Allows users to share achievements to the socials page for recognition
Shows achievement progress, helping riders track how close they are to their next milestone
Socials page displays friend achievements, rankings, and community activity
Users can toggle between all friends’ posts or group-specific posts
Route & Navigation
Includes a search function to browse publicly listed routes
Routes can be sorted by saved routes, routes shared by friends, and routes from groups you’re in
Expanded route view displays:
Marked hazards along the path
Bike-friendliness rating
Difficulty level
Number of riders currently on the route (with optional anonymity based on user settings)
NIGHT MODE
USER RESEARCH
To better inform the direction of my design process, I gained quantitative and qualitative insights through the following research methods:
Field Research
Joined two group cycling rides around the metro-Atlanta area to better understand the sport, gain firsthand insight into rider motivations, pain points, and group dynamics.
Primary Research
Conducted interviews & distributed surveys with target users to learn about their needs, pain points, motivations, current cycling habits, and equipment preferences.
Secondary Research
Analyzed existing products on the market to understand the demands they meet, the gaps they leave behind, and the features that set popular products apart.
Key Takeaways
Reduced visibility in groups
Riders maintain a tight, compact formation so cars can pass safely. However, this close spacing significantly reduces a cyclist’s visibility of the road ahead, limiting their ability to anticipate upcoming hazards.
Split second decisions
When obstacles appear, cyclists must make rapid decisions about how to maneuver around them while simultaneously warning others behind them. This adds both cognitive load and safety risk.
Contradicting the importance of formation
Although maintaining formation is emphasized for safety, riders often break formation when they don’t see approaching cars. Because cyclists have limited rear visibility, they may unknowingly shift or spread out, creating moments of inconsistency and potential danger.
FIELD RESEARCH
We reached out to cycling groups across Georgia throughout the duration of the project and completed two ride-alongs to gain firsthand experience, since none of us had much prior exposure to road cycling. During these rides, we made observations, spoke with fellow cyclists to gather their insights, and built relationships that allowed us to receive continued feedback as the project progressed.
How central are socializing and communication to group cycling, and what tools or methods do riders rely on today?
Which technologies are most commonly used by older cyclists, and what factors shape their purchasing decisions?
What are the biggest challenges and pain points road cyclists encounter during rides?
What motivates cyclists — are they primarily driven by competition and comparison, or by personal growth and enjoyment?
Key Takeaways
Safety is the top priority
Above performance and metrics, safety consistently came first. One of the main benefits of group cycling is the protection that comes from safety in numbers. To maintain this, groups ride in steady formations and rely heavily on one another to communicate critical information down the line.
Current communication methods have limitations
The main methods of communication are verbal calls and hand signals, passed from rider to rider from front to back. However, this system depends on every cyclist participating, taking a hand off the handlebars, and reacting quickly—all while navigating hazards themselves. This introduces delays and creates potential safety risks.
Strong community & social connection
Because cyclists rely on each other for a safe and smooth ride, strong relationships naturally form. Riders often move between different groups, build long-term friendships, and connect with neighbors, as many groups are organized locally. This sense of community is a core part of the group cycling experience.
USER INTERVIEWS
We recruited 7 participants within our target user group, representing a range of backgrounds, equipment setups, and experience levels in road cycling. Our interview approach began by exploring their cycling behaviors—such as group communication methods and dynamics—then moved into questions about their personal experiences, challenges, and equipment preferences.
SURVEY RESULTS
In the early stages of research, we conducted several surveys to gather broader quantitative insights. Some were distributed via Google Forms to cyclists we met during group rides and to other local cycling groups in the area. Others were run through Prolific with a tailored user group to capture more structured, quantifiable data. Combined the surveys garnered more than 100 responses.
32 respondants
28
28
1
1
2
24
24
22
23
9
1
“Which equipment is essential to you on every ride?”
Survey Results
31
0
30
Helmet
Glasses
Gloves
Lights
GPS
Camera / Radar
Phone
Shoes
Racks
Repair Kits
First Aid
Water
Glasses are an essential gear
Glasses were considered the second most essential piece of equiptment behind helmets which are mandatory, thus even though theyre not mandatory theyre being purchased. Supporting that there is strong market depand for eye portection products.
Primary hazards
From our survey results, we identified key patterns in rider safety concerns:
Top 3 hazard cues cyclists consider most important — which also happened to be the top 3 hardest hazards to spot while riding.
Top 2 causes of recent accidents (reported by riders who had been in an accident within the past three months), highlighting where current awareness and communication systems fall short.
32 respondants
“Which of these tend to break down most during group rides?”
Survey Results
15
13
3
23
9
1
1
1
1
0
30
Pace Honesty
Pull Rotation
Regrouping
Mixed Abilities
Missed Callouts
Headeral Behavior
Fatigue
Equipment Gap
Other
Group ride hinderances
When asked what tends to break down most during group rides, the top responses highlighted issues such as mixed rider abilities, inconsistent pace honesty, irregular pull rotation, and uneven or unclear callouts.
USER TESTING
Reaction time pt.2
After consulting with our engineers and reevaluating production costs, battery life constraints, and optical limitations, we realized that users didn’t need detailed icons for directional hazard cues—they simply needed a clear, immediate indication that a hazard was present.
Based on this insight, we shifted our approach:
The centralized display would continue to show icons and cycling stats for non-critical features.
Embedded LED indicators would be used for critical hazard warnings, providing faster recognition with lower power consumption and reduced production cost.
We assigned two colors for clarity:
Yellow for approaching vehicles
Green for road hazards
We then tested this updated system with additional users and received highly positive feedback, validating our assumptions and confirming the improved effectiveness of the LED-based warnings.
Reaction time pt.1
We created a quick video simulating a group cycling experience and asked users to “turn” to avoid the obstacles we edited into the footage. This allowed us to compare how users responded to centralized displays versus directional displays for hazard warnings.
Key Takeaways
Directional displays resulted in faster reaction times.
Users showed less confusion and spent less time guessing where the hazard was coming from.
Many users didn’t need to interpret the icon itself—the directional cue alone was enough to prompt the correct response.
COMPETITIVE AUDIT
The leading cycling glasses on the market today are dominated by brands like Oakley—known for performance and premium build quality—and Tifosi, which offers more affordable options. However, neither brand currently provides glasses with integrated AR capabilities, which presents a clear opportunity for differentiation.
During our project, Oakley released a collaboration featuring built-in Meta AI that works with Garmin* smartwatches and cycling computers to deliver real-time insights and alerts. While innovative, these alerts are audio-based and the product leans more toward social and assistant-driven features. In contrast, our concept focuses on enhancing rider safety through visual, real-time hazard awareness and improved group communication.
Ride Start
Ride End
Mid Ride
Double-checking personal gear: helmet, shoes, water, bike settings.
Gathering at the meeting spot (often a parking lot).
Dividing into smaller groups based on pace or distance goals.
Rolling out in formation with a sense of motivation and anticipation.
Early terrain feels calm and familiar, since the starting route is often the same.
Finding rhythm: maintaining a steady pace and tight formation with the group.
Navigating obstacles — road hazards, motorists, and pedestrians — while riding defensively.
Using hand signals and verbal calls to communicate hazards or changes in direction.
Checking bike computer for performance and health stats.
Balancing focus between safety, performance, and group cohesion.
Holding a steady pace as the group pushes through the final stretch.
Returning to the gathering point.
Performing quick checks or restoring bike components that shifted or loosened during the ride.
Wrapping up with social moments: conversations, sharing highlights, reflecting on the ride.
I’m ready to get my work out in on a route I’ve ridden countless times
transitioning from areas with bike lanes/neighborhood to the road, having to share the road with mixed traffic
car illegally passing on a double yellow line too closely
communicating a directional change onto another road with handle signals
rode my bike into a pothole and nearly threw off my balance
checked my stats and I’m nearing my goals and the group is moving along smoothly
realized that one of my peddles needs to be fixed
checked Strava and I hit my goal for today
safe + smooth ride is priority
speed & formation standard
overtakes & formation breaking quite common
slow down for newcomers
Need →
Ride fulfillment & Inclusivity
desire for self-improvement
crave recognition
Intrinsic
Extrinsic
Say
Need →
Belonging through shared rules & structure
Think
Do
Feel
Need →
Achievement & validation
stay on pace; not get left behind
avoid hazards
“I want to show-off my skills”
Need →
Growth, competence, mastery
2x2 MATRIX
Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Motivations: A Contradiction
Cyclists face a tension between accommodating newcomers and maintaining group inclusivity versus focusing on formation integrity and personal performance improvement. This highlights a conflict between intrinsic motivations (self-improvement, skill development) and extrinsic motivations (supporting the group, fostering community).
FRAMEWORKING
From these research methods, we gathered a substantial amount of both quantitative and qualitative insights. To make sense of this information, I organized the data into several frameworks, enabling us to analyze patterns, prioritize findings, and identify opportunities more effectively.
NAVIGATION JOURNEY MAP
PERSONAS
Road cycling attracts a diverse group of riders with varying experience levels, equipment preferences, and motivations. Through interviews, surveys, and firsthand ride experience, I identified key patterns in behavior, communication needs, and safety priorities. To better understand and design for these different needs, I developed 2 user personas that helped guide and focus my design decisions throughout the project.
OPPORTUNITY SPACES
Enhanced Hazard Awareness
Cyclists struggle with reduced visibility in tight formations and must react to obstacles with little warning. There’s an opportunity to create a system that delivers real-time, glanceable hazard cues that improve reaction time without requiring riders to remove their hands from the handlebars or rely solely on verbal/hand signals.
Streamlined Group Communication
Current communication methods—verbal callouts and hand gestures—are inconsistent and depend heavily on each rider’s attention and participation. A solution that standardizes and augments group communication could reduce missed signals, improve safety, and ensure information reliably travels from the front to the back of the group.
Supporting Mixed Skill Levels Without Compromising Safety
Groups value inclusivity, but accommodating newcomers can disrupt pacing, formation, and overall safety. There’s an opportunity to design tools that help newer or less experienced riders stay informed, maintain formation, and feel supported—without hindering the performance or safety of the entire group.
LOW-FI PROTOTYPES
AR GLASSES
APP
THE SOLUTION
Hazard reporting system
We developed a community-driven hazard reporting system that updates in real time. As cyclists encounter hazards, they can report or remove them, automatically updating the shared route map within the app.
Hazard alerts sync to the AR glasses, using LED indicators to provide immediate, glanceable warnings—reducing reliance on verbal callouts or hand gestures.
Because hazards are mapped ahead of time, the system also benefits solo cyclists, offering enhanced route awareness before and during rides.
Customizable AR features
The AR interface adapts to individual needs through customizable settings controlled in the companion app.
Cyclists can toggle different display features on or off to personalize their experience.
Medical devices can connect via Bluetooth, allowing users to receive instant visual alerts for critical metrics. This flexibility ensures the system serves both casual riders and high-performance athletes.
Personal progress system
Many riders expressed frustration with direct competition and “showing off” during group rides, which often leads to broken formations and unsafe behavior.
To address this, we introduced a points-based system that rewards personal progress, milestones, and consistency rather than head-to-head competition.
This shifts the focus toward self-improvement, while still allowing users to share achievements with friends or their cycling community.
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