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JioBeacon - 2-Wheeler Navigation Devices
JioBeacon is a product concept catering to the growing 2-wheeler market in India, providing riders with a device for essential navigation services, while enabling Jio to expand its service footprint and user acquisition in the mobility segment.
Project Overview
Initial Context
Online maps have become essential for modern day commuting. While many four-wheelers come equipped with advanced infotainment systems featuring integrated maps, most two-wheelers lack such built-in technology in India. Consequently, riders often rely on their smartphones for online maps, leading to constant distraction and risks while driving.
The JioBeacon project proposition aims to reduce the risks associated with using a smartphone while driving, by offering essential services like navigation and communication for riders on a dedicated vehicle-mounted device.
As of May 2024,
Registered 2-wheelers on road in India.
India’s existing 2-wheeler market volume
Premium 2-wheeler market in India.
Projected 2-wheeler market volume by 2028
Target Areas
Hyperlocal Delivery Agents
2-wheeler taxis
Casual tourers / Commuters
Intercity / Interstate tourers
While not a novel idea at the time of conception, the Indian market has not been a focus for such products due to unpredictable riding patterns, under-developed and poorly mapped roads, and lack of expendable income among the target audience. The project began in May 2024, and is currently undergoing business and engineering reviews.
User Research - Insights and Findings
User Survey
To consolidate the initial findings, primary and secondary research was conducted, narrowing down on the actual problems faced by the target audience.
The team developed a form to gather critical data on motorcycle owners’ use of navigation and communication tools while riding.
Primary Research
Apart from gathering survey data, the team set out to speak in-person with hyperlocal service providers who use navigation while riding 2-wheelers on a daily basis.
This helped the team narrow down on the target user group for such a device proposition.
E-Commerce Services
Micro Delivery Services
Food Delivery Services
2-wheeler Taxis
E-commerce giants such as Amazon and Flipkart have optimized last-mile delivery by setting up smaller local hubs, eliminating the need for longer travel routes.
Grocery delivery services like Instamart, Blinkit, Zepto, etc. ensure faster deliveries by operating within a tight 1-2 km radius, ensuring area-based storage hubs.
Food delivery partners travel 120-150 km daily, relying on online maps for navigation via personal smartphones. They cover vast areas, but very rarely go through unfamiliar routes.
2-wheeler taxis rely on Google Maps on their phones. Due to the drivers being familiar with areas and routes, navigation is a necessity only while getting to the customer.
Based on inferences from the data gathered as well as the research insights, the opportunity space was solidified - the proposed solution would aim to target tourers and commuters with personal vehicles only. Hyperlocal delivery agents and bike taxis cater to their choice of areas only, and are not dependent on maps for navigation. Due to the frugal and local nature of their daily commute, a separate device would not be beneficial in this category.
NEW PRODUCT OPPORTUNITY
Current Scenario
Frugal - Exposed and unsafe
Device performance issues
Existing Devices
Expensive and inefficient
Mostly unavailable in India
Proposed Solution Space - Catering to Tourers and Commuters
The team conducted a deep dive into the current state of devices in this market, and found out that current solutions are unsafe and very frugal - existing devices are unaffordable and inaccessible in India.
A dedicated navigation and infotainment device designed by Jio would aim to provide the user with a perfectly priced offering to plug this gap. This device would come built with safety features and network connectivity offered by Jio.
By addressing the unique needs of the target group, this initiative seeks to capitalize on an under-served market, driving both customer acquisition and business growth for the brand. The final brief was to design and develop a dedicated navigation-cum-infotainment solution for way-finding, connectivity and entertainment, targeted towards Indian motorcyclists, thereby eliminating the use of personal smartphones while driving.
Moodboard
The references and the derived forms revolved around flat cut edges and smoothly curved profiles. A major inspiration was the Beeline wayfinding device. Multiple form factors were ideation upon, leading to a variety of iterations to choose from, based on best possible ergonomics and in-ride handling.
JioBeacon - Product Concept
The Device
JioBeacon is a dedicated bike-mounted device for navigation, with added infotainment features. It is designed to offer access to all essential controls and data on-the-go. The tangible controls are placed on the right, to be within reach of the non-clutch hand, and on the left is the 5” touch screen with a peak brightness of 1500 nits and anti-reflective coating.
The Controls
The wheel controls item selection within menus, and the other two buttons are for confirming and cancelling options. There is a camera for active attention detection while driving.
For active ventilation during usage and for efficient cooling in extreme temperatures, vents are located on the top segment, with the inlet on the back side.
The Beacon comes with a set of speakers to play essential navigation and communication audio, and microphones to capture ambient noise and speech.
The Beacon can be used in two ways - plugged into the supply from the bike, or as a plug-and-play module. This enables the device to be securely stored away in case of fear of theft. The type-C plug functions as a charging port as well as a supply input.
Deriving from some of the best locking and attachment apparatus in the market, the grab handle of the Beacon fastens securely on to the handlebar of all bikes. Locking and tightening screws at all pivots, as well as hinge-based joints ensure flexibility in placement and angle of the device. The extension arm also incorporates different heights into the profile.
The handle stays attached to the handlebar, while the lock at the backside allows for easy removal if the device is not screwed in.
The locking mechanism has a simple but efficient snap fit which holds the Beacon in place rigidly. The locking apparatus can also be screwed onto the base plate, to effectively fix it to the bike.
The Beacon is designed with a metallic coating on the casing, in four colors- Charcoal, Deep Blue, Red and Neon White. The package will include the device and the mount, along with a type-C to C cable, an Allen key, a hardened silicon case for protection, and a proposed dashcam that would be provided as an add-on accessory.
Interface
The horizontal layout has been designed to enable easy access to maps while providing visibility to other essentials on the home screen. The screen locks when in active navigation, and when it detects motion during driving. During stationary usage, all features and options are open to customization.
The card-based design structuring helps in showcasing all the essential information at a quick glance. This along with the status bar icons deliver an all-encompassing picture of the current status of usage.
The calling card pops up at the bottom of the screen, with CTA buttons positioned so as to enable quick answering and ending of the call using the physical buttons. Nudge notifications are also delivered in a similar fashion.
Shown below are a selection of early design iterations developed by the UX team as part of the official pitch deck. These explorations were based on the initial concept layouts and product direction defined by the ID team. The interface showcased above represents a more evolved version of the same concept, created during Phase II of development as the product vision became more clearly defined.
SHOTS IN-CONTEXT
JioBeacon
FY 2024 - 2025