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Night Light:
An AR Interaction Experience

Project Overview

Identify a "city wide" opportunity that can be fixed with an AR experience. The solution must also include:

  • sensors and monitoring

  • data processing and machine learning

  • feedback of sensing to user via interface or haptic notification

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This was an individual project with a 10 week timeline.

Problem

Light pollution is a growing issue especially in dense cities. Between the increase in LED headlights, city buildings and streetlights, excessive light pollution can have serious harmful effects on a city, including endangering its citizens. Light pollution and can cause harmful glare to user’s eyes and can also create dangerous blind spots where users can not see the path in front of them.

Solution

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City wide system that collects lumen levels from sensors around the city.

Paired AR glasses worn during user journey to dim high lumens and protect eye health.

Split screen image showing the visual difference between not using the AR glasses and using the AR glasses.

Assumptions and Proposed Research Methods

Due to the scope of this assignment, user research was not included in the scope of this project. Below are the assumptions this design was based on, and proposed research methods that would be deployed if scope permitted. 

  • Users are frustrated with the amount of light pollution they encounter in their city.

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  • Users would be willing to use, or be willing to learn how to use, AR glasses to solve this issue.

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  • The AR glasses would also be compatible with prescription lenses.

  • Literature Review: to understand how high lumen levels affect human health

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  • Contextual Inquiry: to observe users while commuting to understand their specific pain points

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  • Usability Studies: to evaluate the effectiveness of the solution

Protopersona

User persona. Bicyclist lifestyle, with safety, reliability and clarity needs.

Storyboard

3 frame storyboard showing a student at the library later than expected, then using the app, then expressing they feel comfortable with the path home the app has suggested for them

Experience Map for Bicycle Commuters

An experience map showing the ups and downs of the Night Light experience

Design Features

a sensor on a stop sign post

Sensor Placements

  • Sensors are placed on street posts around the city to collect lumen level data.

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  • Through AI machining the lumen level data collected helps suggest ideal paths for the user based on their preferences.

mobile phone screen with travel preferences page including option for brightest path and avoid blinking lights

Commuter Preferences

  • The user can select path preferences based on an array of options related to the types of lights and luminosity levels they might encounter on their journey.

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phone screen showing AR connection modal

AR connection

  • Once the path is selected, if the system detects higher than normal lumen levels on the path a pop-up notification will appear and ask the user if they would like to pair their glasses before starting their journey.

phone screen with lumen level customization

Adjusting Lumen Levels

  • Users have the ability to select their lumen level preference for each journey. They can choose by using the slider function, or they can choose one of their previously stored levels.​

mobile phone screen with haptic response options

Haptic Responses

  • After the user selects their desired lumen level the interface directs the user to decide if they would like to pair the system to bluetooth headphones and/or the haptic response vibration in their AR glasses. ​

Future Considerations

  • Adding a crowd sourced social component that offers validation for the system

  • Developing post-ride options and interactions

© Copyright 2025 Katie Borgia - All rights reserved

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