Project Soli: Immersive Experience Design for Google's Motion Sensing Technology

LEAD PRODUCT DESIGNER | CLIENT: GOOGLE

How might we introduce Google's gesture-based motion sensing Soli technology through applications that widen the target demographic to include users who face barriers to entry with current technology interfaces?

Analysis of the previous Soli iteration revealed that while visually stunning and technologically impressive, the design didn't illustrate the new possibilities the technology provides, discouraging continued use after first interaction. The challenge was creating an approachable experience in familiar technological environments while prioritizing hygiene, security, public safety, energy use, and accessibility.

  • I conducted competitive analysis and user research to understand barriers to adoption with emerging gesture-based technology. The research revealed that Google's fiercely-loyal customer base was quick to adopt new technology, but lucrative opportunities existed in attracting new users outside this group. Key findings showed that resistance to new interaction patterns stemmed from lack of understanding, and that behavioral habits required time and compelling reasons to shift. The strategy focused on introducing users to Soli in familiar environments that may have previously been challenging or annoying, demonstrating the ease this new technology brings.

  • I developed a comprehensive immersive experience that would demonstrate Soli's capabilities through practical applications addressing real user needs. The solution included optimized existing software to create frictionless experiences, expanded Soli capabilities with new chip compatibility across devices, and accessibility features for hearing, visual, speech, and mobility impaired customers. The experience was designed to show how smart devices become less foreign and more human using our species' first tools - the hand. Applications ranged from device security and alerts to energy savings, health diagnostics, smart home integration, retail checkout, and sanitary solutions for public and medical use.

  • The 4D framework methodology (Define, Design, Develop, Deploy) structured the entire project with phased rollout approach including soft launch and global launch phases. I implemented a two-sprint development cycle with stakeholder reviews, A/B testing, and quality assurance built into each phase. The project timeline was carefully planned with 19 weeks total for soft launch and 6 weeks for global launch, including 90-day post-launch support. Critical design decisions included prioritizing universal adoption across devices and ensuring sustainable impact through responsible production, carbon-neutral shipping, and circular manufacturing approaches.

  • The project delivered a complete implementation plan with detailed Gantt charts, comprehensive budget of $429,690, and sustainability framework addressing production, transport, and lifecycle analysis. The solution projected reduced hardware requirements through the compact 12x12mm radar chip (half the size of a quarter) and energy-efficient design supporting Google's renewable energy initiatives. The experience was designed to achieve universal adoption while expanding user base through increased accessibility, creating new interaction patterns that feel natural and intuitive, and establishing scalable systems for future technology integration.

  • This project taught me the importance of introducing new technology through familiar contexts to reduce user resistance and increase adoption rates. Working with emerging hardware technology required balancing technical capabilities with user expectations and understanding that behavioral change takes time and compelling reasons. The experience reinforced that sustainable design principles must be integrated from the beginning, not added as an afterthought, and that comprehensive project management including detailed timelines, budgets, and risk assessment is crucial for complex technology implementations. Most importantly, I learned that successful technology adoption depends on making users feel capable and empowered rather than overwhelmed by new capabilities.