Elum
Role
Concept/Idea, UX design, UX research, Hardware tech, Software development in Python
Collaborators
Problem
There is currently not an easy way (plug and play) to monitor home energy usage in a visual manner to map usage over time. There are units like the Kill-a-watt, but these metrics only show on the plug themselves (usually shin-level) and shows only instant usage, not logging any data showing patterns of use.
Research Question
Can real-time monitoring and visualization of energy usage over time impact household energy conservation through better understanding?
Solution
Create a unified, inexpensive system to visually show users how they utilize energy usage over time without significant modification to home electrical systems (plug and play units that fit over outlets).
The Elum System
Smart Plugs
Individual plugs measure wattage/voltage/amps in real time at wall plug level using modified Kill-a-Watt with embedded XBee wireless units
Central Server
Central server pushes usage data from each defined plug in the house to the cloud
Mobile App
Real-time usage visualization on mobile devices with power-saving suggestions
Design Process
From brainstorming to working prototype
Initial Brainstorming
Affinity diagramming and lightning brainstorms to align the team on approach and vision.
Mind Mapping
From discussions to mind map to simple sketches of the proposed system.
User Personas
Created detailed personas to bring user-centric design thinking forward and understand different user motivations for energy conservation.
Hardware Prototyping
Rapid prototyping with styrofoam for the new shell design
Individual plug designs showing how XBee units fit inside
Modified $19 Kill-a-Watt with soldered XBee wireless unit for data transmission
Interface Sketches
Exploring different modalities and devices for energy visualization
Initial UI Mockups
Low Fidelity Mockups
Picking a mobile/tablet platform and narrowing ideas into comprehensive interface mockups
Working Prototype
Complete working prototype demonstrating the energy monitoring system from hardware to mobile interface
Impact & Results
After significant testing, feedback, interviews, and user testing of the working product, we submitted our project and it performed very well. Users understood their energy consumption, with a key insight being that even when items are "off," they still draw electricity.
This brought on the idea that the system could auto-shut off outlets during known downtime. The project utilized eco-visualization concepts to provide individuals with real-time and logged consumption statistics in a way that emotionally resonates with them.
As of 2018, there was nothing like this system available at this price point. While smart home systems with Alexa and Google Home can turn off devices automatically, they don't map and monitor actual usage patterns for user education.