Cycling AR is an augmented reality interface designed to improve cyclists’ safety, navigation, and performance tracking. It features a minimalist HUD, real-time ride data, and gamification elements to create an engaging and seamless riding experience.
Overview
Cycling AR is a futuristic augmented reality interface designed to improve safety, navigation, and performance tracking for cyclists. This project was created for an AR/VR class, where we were encouraged to think beyond hardware limitations and envision a next-generation cycling experience. Our goal was to create an immersive, game-like HUD that enhances situational awareness, provides real-time ride data, and makes cycling more interactive.
Problem Statement
Challenges Cyclists Face
🚴 Limited awareness of surroundings → Cyclists lack mirrors, making blind spots a major risk.
📍 Distracting navigation methods → Checking a phone for directions is dangerous.
⚡ Lack of real-time ride data → Performance tracking often requires separate apps or devices.
🎮 Cycling can feel repetitive → Unlike indoor training apps, outdoor cycling lacks gamification.
To better understand these challenges, we conducted benchmarking and UX research to identify what features could enhance the experience.
A comparison of existing AR cycling solutions highlighting gaps.
Research & Insights
To inform our design decisions, we:
Analyzed existing AR cycling products to understand market gaps.
Reviewed real-world cycling pain points through community feedback.
Studied gaming UI patterns to make the experience intuitive and engaging.
Key Takeaways
✔ Cyclists prioritize safety and convenience over excessive data clutter.
✔ Minimalist, HUD-style UI is best for AR cycling interfaces.
✔ A game-like interface increases engagement and motivation.
A user persona representing our target audience, summarizing their needs and pain points.
Solution: Cycling AR
We designed Cycling AR, an augmented reality interface that overlays real-time ride data and navigation into the cyclist's field of view. This HUD is optimized for safety, efficiency, and engagement.
Wireframing & Early Concepts
Once we had a clear understanding of user needs, we moved to sketching potential layouts and features to explore how information should be displayed for maximum clarity and usability.
Early sketches exploring key UX features like safety warnings, navigation, and ride data.
Team Collaboration & Prototyping
With the wireframes in place, we moved into prototyping, iterating on our designs while ensuring the HUD remained non-intrusive and effective for cyclists.
Our team refining UX flows and user interactions during the development phase.
High-Fidelity UI & Prototype
Using feedback from our concept phase, we developed a polished UI that ensures critical ride information is visible while maintaining a distraction-free experience.
A clean, non-intrusive HUD that integrates navigation and safety alerts without obstructing the cyclist's view.
🎥 Watch the Full Prototype Video Here:
Key Features & UX Considerations
Safety Enhancements
Blind Spot Warning System: Uses side alerts to notify cyclists of approaching vehicles.
Game-Like Mini-Map: Positioned in the top-left, allowing hands-free navigation.
Real-Time Performance Tracking
Always-On Speed & Heart Rate Display: Helps cyclists monitor performance effortlessly.
Distance & Ride Time: Available within the navigation UI to prevent clutter.
Gamification and Engagement
The game-inspired UI makes cycling feel more immersive, similar to racing games like Need for Speed.
Reception & Key Learnings
Feedback & Reception
The project received highly positive feedback from my professor and classmates. They particularly appreciated:
The clean and minimalistic HUD, which ensures visibility without distraction.
The gamification elements, which make outdoor cycling more engaging.
The focus on safety, such as blind spot warnings and real-time navigation.
The project was recognized as an innovative use of AR technology in real-world applications, demonstrating how digital interfaces can enhance physical experiences.
Key Learnings
Through this project, I:
✅ Strengthened my UX/UI design skills for AR interfaces.
✅ Gained experience in benchmarking, wireframing, and rapid prototyping.
✅ Learned how to balance functional AR overlays with minimal distraction.
✅ Improved my collaborative design process, working iteratively with feedback.
✅ Developed skills in video editing to present the concept effectively.
Conclusion
Cycling AR is a vision for the future of outdoor cycling, merging safety, performance tracking, and engagement into a seamless AR experience. This project not only pushed the boundaries of what AR can do for cyclists but also strengthened my ability to design human-centered, research-driven solutions.