A modern wallet that bridges the gap between physical and digital payment methods.
Our semester project aims to make everyday life more intuitive and accessible through innovative haptic user interfaces. The focus is on the development of interfaces that enable seamless interaction with technical devices through tactile feedback.
"We are currently living between two worlds – the physical and the digital – and our wallets reflect this transitional phase."
For our topic, we analyzed our current wallets and thought about how we could improve them. We quickly realized that we are currently living between two worlds. On the one hand, there is the new digital world, in which we are trying to digitize more and more cards – be it the Deutsche Bahn card, our bank card or the Payback card.
You might think that the wallet is obsolete – but that's not the case. There are still plenty of cards that are not yet available digitally. Not all shops where you shop have the option of paying by card, and receipts that you want to take with you also need somewhere to be stored.
As a medium at the checkout, you therefore always have to take your mobile phone with you in addition to your wallet. With our product, we want to create a solution to this problem.
Our product should combine all the functions that are available in both the conventional and digital areas. It should be suitable for everyone and not be off-putting for those with technical skills. The product should also offer security.
Survey results showing user behavior patterns and preferences
In order to gain an insight into the current status of users, we created a questionnaire and had it completed by 14 respondents. This allowed us to gain interesting insights into user behavior.
Among other things, we learned that few of the respondents have a digital card, that their wallets are too bulky and that they carry a lot of cards that are not available digitally.
A further aid in the development of our product was the analysis of the checkout process:
User prepares payment method before reaching the cashier
Decision point between digital and physical payment methods
Completing payment and verification process
Interactive analysis of the user journey during checkout - hover over points to learn more
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Our prototyping process involved multiple iterations, each refining the concept based on user feedback and technical feasibility. We started with sketches, moved to cardboard mockups, and eventually created fully functional prototypes.
We created a cardboard prototype to test the basic ergonomics and size constraints.
In order to gain an insight into the current status, we developed our first functional prototype with basic features.
This prototype enabled us to identify errors in the design or problems in the application at an early stage and to rectify or change them at an early stage of the process. Any difficulties identified in the process could therefore be easily recognised and tested.
At this stage of the prototype, we soldered the technology externally for the first time to make the controls actually operable, including a push and turn button. We also added an LED strip to the front to provide visual feedback.
We can control this via the buttons so that you can change the color to match the card arrangement stored in the app by turning the knob.
Demonstrating the connection between the app and the physical wallet prototype
In order to define exactly who our user group is, we created a user persona. This includes demographic characteristics such as age, gender and areas of interest.
Our user persona is 18 to 24 years old. This person is open to new things and wants to be part of the zeitgeist. They have a penchant for minimalism and are open to digitalization. They have a wallet, but also often pay with the phone.
The person likes to use modern technologies to make everyday life easier. They have several accounts that they need to keep track of. The person's goal is to pay securely and smoothly. They need a simple and effective payment method and also want to be flexible and adaptable.
Based on this knowledge, we looked for and found suitable users for a usability test. Six people tested the product. They were in their early/mid-20s and had different experiences and habits when it came to paying by mobile phone or wallet.
The aim of the test was to find out the usage behavior of our prototype app and wallet.
Users were asked to navigate through the app and add their savings bank card to the digital wallet.
Users were asked to find and use the card blocking functionality for their N26 card.
Users were asked to physically interact with the wallet prototype to select a specific card and simulate a payment.
Users were asked to locate a "lost" wallet using the app's location feature and sound alert function.
During these tests, the test subjects spoke aloud what they saw and what they thought. We recorded the audio and then systematically analyzed it to improve our design.
Another new feature is the improved display of transactions: LEDs are placed at both the front and back of the wallet and the light is dimmed by a milky glass to ensure more comfortable visibility.
We have further developed our prototype and now present a more compact and handy version of our wallet. The technical components are hidden inside the wallet, which makes for a slimmer design. A charging cable is attached to the bottom edge.
For the circuit board, we now use the small but powerful Arduino Micro, which fits perfectly into the compact design.
The HYBRID App provides complete control over your wallet through an intuitive interface with the following features:
Instantly freeze any card if lost or stolen with one tap for immediate security
Seamlessly integrate new cards through scanning or manual entry
Customize LED colors for each card to identify them at a glance
Configure audible feedback and notifications for transactions
Locate your misplaced wallet through GPS tracking and sound alerts
Review all spending activities with detailed analytics and categories
Manage passwords, Touch ID, and authentication preferences
Customize wallet behavior and interface to match your needs
The UI design shown is modern and elegant, with a clear focus on user-friendliness. The user interface is kept in dark colors, which makes for a classy and contemporary look.
At the top of the screen is the title "Card settings", under which four round icons offer specific functions: "Show Card" displays the saved card, "Lock Card" locks the card, "Set Sound" allows you to change sound settings and "Set Color" offers the option to adjust colors.
The UI design is characterized by its strong contrast, which significantly improves user-friendliness. The dark background makes the white and colored elements stand out clearly and ensures clear visibility. This high-contrast design facilitates orientation and emphasizes important information, resulting in an intuitive and appealing user experience.
The HYBRID wallet represents a significant step forward in payment technology, addressing the unique challenges of our transitional era where digital and physical payment methods coexist. Our project successfully bridges this gap by creating a wallet that works seamlessly with both traditional cards and modern digital payment options.
Through multiple iterations and user testing, we've created a product that meets the needs of young, tech-savvy users who still need to navigate a world where not everything is digital. The combination of tactile hardware with smart digital features helps users manage all their payment methods in one integrated system.
The accompanying app extends the functionality of the physical wallet, creating a comprehensive ecosystem that provides security, convenience, and visual feedback. As payment technologies continue to evolve, HYBRID represents a thoughtful solution for the present moment while anticipating future needs.
Implementing biometric authentication and encryption technologies to further secure physical and digital assets.
Creating a modular system that allows users to customize their wallet based on individual needs and payment preferences.
Expanding compatibility with smart home systems, wearables, and other IoT devices for seamless financial management.
