SafeGuard
TEAM
DURATION
Raj Tanishq
Khushi Singh
Principle Designer,
3 week sprint
ROLE
WHAT IS SafeGuard?
Safeguard is an intuitive safety application designed to empower women with instant access to emergency services, ensuring security and peace of mind.
SITUATION
Picture a woman walking alone late at night, the streets empty and the lighting sparse. She hears footsteps behind her, accelerating with her own pace, sparking a rush of fear. In this moment, her phone isn’t just a device; it becomes her most powerful tool for safety. With Safeguard, a few taps send her location to emergency services and trusted contacts, activating real-time tracking and alerting her network. This isn’t just about sending an SOS; it's about transforming her smartphone into a beacon of safety, offering peace of mind when she needs it most.
PROBLEM
SOLUTION
In today’s world, women face an array of safety threats that range from verbal harassment to physical violence, creating an atmosphere of constant vigilance and fear. The challenge extends beyond just encountering these dangers; it's the profound difficulty in finding a quick, effective way to respond or seek help when every second counts. Traditional safety measures often fall short in immediacy and accessibility, leaving a gap in personal security that affects women globally. This issue is not just about the presence of danger but the absence of an empowering, immediate solution that women can rely on to feel safe and supported, regardless of the situation or location.
We came up with the idea to build "Safeguard" because we know how important safety is in today's uncertain world. Our big idea is to make an app that’s really easy to use and gets help fast. By keeping Safeguard simple, we’re not just making it faster to use in emergencies; we’re also making sure it’s accessible to a wider audience. Whether someone is tech-savvy or not, young or old, they’ll find Safeguard straightforward and effective. With just a couple of taps, users can alert emergency services or their family and friends that they need help. Safeguard is about providing fast support and safety, making everyone feel secure and included.
RESEARCH & IDEATION
Conducted interviews with women aged 18-40 revealed firsthand experiences with safety threats and the limitations of current safety solutions
Interviews
Key Findings:
Evening Vulnerability:
84% feel least safe during evening/night, especially when using taxis, rickshaws, or walking alone.
Communication for Safety:
78% use phone calls and texts to stay connected in uncertain situations, highlighting a need for safety-oriented communication tools.
Selective Sharing:
90% discuss unsafe situations with friends for relief, but avoid telling family to prevent mobility restrictions.
Safety in Company:
84% prefer stepping out with company for safety; when alone, 75% share their live location with someone trusted
Common Themes:
"Whenever I have to go out in the evening, especially by taxi or on foot, I can't help but feel a bit on edge. I hate having to feel this way"
"In those moments when things feel off, I immediately reach for my phone to text or call a friend. It's ironic, though, these things haven't really been designed with these scenarios in mind."
"Every time I take a taxi or rickshaw, I make sure to send a picture of the number plate to my dad for his reassurance."
"If I can't have someone with me, I at least make sure someone knows where I am at all times through my phone's location feature."
Personas
OBSTACLE
RESOLUTION
Our initial design for the "Safeguard" app included always-active widgets to ensure users could quickly access safety features. However, we recognized a potential flaw: the widgets were active even in safe spaces like homes or offices, leading to concerns about accidental activations and false alarms. This realization prompted a reevaluation to enhance the app's usability without compromising safety.
To address this issue, we conducted focused user testing to gather feedback on accidental activations. Confirming our concerns, we refined the design to make the widgets contextually sensitive: they deactivate automatically in predefined safe spaces and reactivate upon departure. This adjustment maintains quick access while preventing false alerts, ensuring the app remains both responsive and reliable for users.
We made a screen to set up your safe space, and made an inactive version of the widgets, which on clicking, does turn into the active state. The active state is the default for when the user is outside of their safe space.
Iteration
NEXT STEPS
These are some of the ideas we had while working on this that we would surely love to work on in the near future
1. Integration of Message Board Functionality with Mapping:We plan to introduce a message board feature combined with interactive maps in the Safeguard app. This functionality will allow users to mark areas where they or others have encountered unsafe situations. Additionally, these reports will be linked with local law enforcement agencies to provide them with real-time insights into which areas may require increased surveillance and patrolling.
2. NFC Tag Integration with Public Transport: Another significant addition could be the integration of NFC (Near Field Communication) technology with public transport systems. By simply touching their phone to an NFC tag on public transport, users will be able to send comprehensive travel information directly to their selected contacts. This feature aims to simplify user safety during transit by making sure that trusted individuals are immediately aware of the user's transport details in case of an emergency .More research.
THANK YOU!
A huge shoutout to the team!
Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed learning about SafeGuard as much as I loved working on it. My door is always open for feedback and questions. If you would like to connect and possibly work together, hit me up!
Raj and Khushi!
