In-store Mockup Validator

Project Overview

I redesigned the In-Store Mockup Validator ™ initiated by Bamboo Brands to be an interactive IoT system that replaces costly, waste-heavy product pilot runs, with playful shelf agents capable of capturing real-time behavioural data.

Bamboo Brands builds in-store validation tools to help companies test new products before they hit the market. The idea was promising, but early tests with a simple mechanical string made shoppers fee “fooled” and “scammed”.

I led the interaction strategy and research to a new system architecture with Artificial Intelligence system to process data and interpret customer’s behaviour. By detecting intent at ≤ 7cm, we turned retail frustration into curiosity while capturing real-time behavior data via Data Foundry.

Problem Space

The current method of validation process of Fast Market Consumer Goods Industry is crucial to understand consumer behavior and ensure commercial success in high speed market. However, current method can be undermined by the attutude behavior gap which is the misalignment between consumer’s stated intentions in traditional research settings and their actual purchasing behavior in real purchasing environment.

The ISMV embeds the IoT technology into interactive shelf mockups to shift product testing to a much earlier stage, before everything is mass-produced.

Solution

While the client initially focused on tracking physical “pickup” , my contextual research revealed that customer interest begins well before contact. I discovered that the interaction actually starts at approximately 7 cm away. Therefore, I reframed the mockup from a “fake product” to an expressive character that acknowledges the shopper’s approach. We could turn this initial frustration into a moment of “magical” curiosity.

30%

Increase in user experience than previous model.

2/3

Score in ease of use based on the user testing.

The ISMV in action! Taken during a university-wide demo day with mini supermarket stand

Requirements

1. The mockup must visually integrate with the surrounding shelf products.

2. The interaction should occur at the shelf, with the mockup remaining in place.

3. The system must be durable and low maintenance for buys retail environment.

4. Interaction must be unobtrusive to the customer's shopping experience.

5. The system must capture and store customer engagement data for evaluation by Bamboo Brands.