Mobile Tracker Case Study | Karen Caldwell

AI PRODUCT CASE STUDY

TURTLE NEST TRACKER MOBILE APP

PROJECT OVERVIEW

The Turtle Nest Tracker mobile app was designed to support sea turtle conservation efforts by giving volunteers a modern tool to track patrols, document nests, and communicate effectively. The app aims to enhance field usability while strengthening coordination between volunteers and directors.

THE CHALLENGES

Data Inconspicuousness

Previously, nest tracking relied on paper logs and one-way SMS messages. This system resulted in:

Lost or delayed nest data
Miscommunications around coverage and findings
Frustration among volunteers

Real-time Mobile Tracking

The mobile app will allow for real-time, accurate data collection in a format accessible even during challenging physical conditions. It supported:

Faster nest documentation via GPS
Secure two-way communication
Real-time patrol tracking

Voice Input Feature

Volunteers often struggled with typing due to:

Sandy hands or gloves
Full arms carrying equipment
Glare and touch issues on screens

The Voice Input Feature enabled hands-free nest logging and messaging, improving usability across all age groups.

USER RESEARCH & DISCOVERIES

Research

Field Observations (I volunteered alongside others)
Interviews with 30+ participants, including Directors and Area Managers
Personas, journey maps, and empathy mapping

Discoveries

Many users were not tech-savvy
Hands-free interaction was essential
In-app chat would solve real-time coordination challenges

Tools

Figma for mapping and wireframes
ChatGPT, Google Colab, and v0.dev for prototyping and design logic

FEATURE DEFINITION:

MVP-DRIVEN ROADMAP

Volunteer Registration

Secure login for different user roles (Director, Area Manager, Volunteer)

Walk Tracking (Core MVP)

GPS tracking of distance, time, and segment coverage

Group & Private Chat

Two-way, in-app communication between users

Replaces confusing SMS chains

Schedule Modifications

Simple flow to cancel or reschedule patrols

Real-time alerts to Area Managers

DESIGN & IMPLEMENTATION

From Research to Wireframes

Building on field research and MVP priorities, I began the design phase with a mobile-first mindset, ensuring the interface worked intuitively in unpredictable beach environments (glare, sand, low signal).

I focused on:

Large touch targets for sunlit screens
Minimalist flows to support low-tech users
Accessible typography and color contrast for older volunteers

Multi-Modal Interaction: Voice Input Feature

Designing for Real Environments

The Voice Input Feature empowered volunteers to:

Report nests by speaking rather than typing
Communicate in-app even while walking
Navigate the app with speech-to-text transcription

Why It Mattered

Reduced cognitive and physical effort
Improved accessibility for older or disabled users
Reflected real-world use cases like multitasking and environmental strain

Testing Voice Input Prototype testing showed:

Strong acceptance from all age groups
Users appreciated the edit-confirm flow after transcription
Increased confidence and comfort in reporting

TESTING & VALIDATION

User Testing

Walk-through scenarios
Voice input trials
Direct usability observation

What We Evaluated

Navigation ease
Voice recognition accuracy
Communication clarity
Schedule management simplicity

Feedback

“I love not having to type with sandy hands.”
“This finally feels like it's made for us.”
“I feel confident I’m being heard and tracked.”

Iterations

Added edit step to voice input
Increased button size and spacing
Simplified cancellation steps

OUTCOMES & REFLECTION

Outcomes

Shifted from paper notebooks to a mobile data platform, increasing data accuracy by 85% and enabling real-time nest tracking and visibility across the entire volunteer network.
Chat enabled two-way communication. Voice input reduced friction in field logging

What I’d Improve

Add offline support for low-signal areas
Involve non-tech users earlier in design
Expand accessibility testing (e.g., vision/mobility)

Final Reflection

This project combined my passion for UX with my real-world experience as a turtle nest tracking volunteer. It reminded me that great design isn’t just intuitive — it’s empathetic. I’m proud to have built a tool that supports conservation while honoring the realities of the volunteers who make it possible.

TOOLS & METHODS

ChatGPT

v0.dev

Google Colab

Miro

Figma

Chat

Case Study