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Design a new car stereo.

Asked at Google
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I would like to ask a few clarification questions first and set the business objective.

1. Are we doing this as a startup or as Google or as an OEM ? Assume startup
2. Is this for normal people using cars are for people in military regions or government officials ? Assume normal people
3. Which geography ? US 
4. By Car stereo, do you just mean music system or the entire infotainment unit ? Assume entire infotainment unit

As a startup selling stereos, the two main route for sales is via partnerships with OEMs to or DTC sales via Amazon etc.,  I would prefer an OEM partnership to offer our stereos as customizations as it can help get wider traction as a new startup

User Groups

1. Teenagers 2. Middle aged 3. Old people

The current stereos do well for teenagers and middle aged folks. The old people (70+) they have a hard time to use the steros because of their physical limitations. They are also the group who have a hard time understand latest technology. Let us focus on helping the old people through our modern stereos

Pain points 

Thinking about the user journey, the following pain points come to mind

1) Before driving, did the person might forget everthing necessary to drive. For example, docs, the tablets, bags ( if shopping ) etc.,

 A common problem that can be solved by a todo list as well. there are good alternatives to sterio

2) Before every drive, is the person healthy enough or alert enough to drive?

Important and high impact

3) During driving, how to avoid fatigue while driving ? If there is an emergency situation and the person is not consciously asking for help ( which is often the case ) how to help the driver ? 

Important. Safety related. high impact

4) When getting into the car, how to connect phone or operate the navigation system ? Lack of knowledge or confusion in operation of navigation or any car functionality

Important. As a car owner, the person should know how to operate different car systems. high impact 

6) Difficult coordinating between navigational system and road 

High impact. But, solved by alternatives . OEMs are comming up with AR based navigation system.

7) Physical limitations in operating the existing sterio, due to shaky fingers

High impact. As a car owner, the person should know how to operate sterio and navigational systems etc., . 
But frequency of problem is lesser. Also not safety related

8) On reaching destination, where to park for wheelchair assistance or near to the shop ?

Modern Navigational systems are equipped to assit in parking

9) Did the person consciously turnoff the cars, lights etc., after parking ? 

High impact. But alternatives available. If the person looks at the car's mobile app, they can find out if car is turned off. 

Solutions

For pain point 2 & 3

A1. Stereo connect with apple watch or smart watch to get heart rate, BP, O2 etc., and detects any abnormalities

A2. Stereo Asks to take a break when driving for a long time and shows a cafe nearby for break

A3. Stero comes with an edge based CV solution that can determine if something is wrong with the driver and can trigger an automatic SoS call. Camera is facing the driver

For pain point 4

B1. A Voice assistant solution that guides the user on various aspects. (For example, the driver says "hey, how do I connect the phone to the stereo?" or "what does this button on the streeing wheel do ? " Interact with the driver in the natural language

B2.  A sterio that has car manual information and user can look up the manual for information.

Prioritization of solution

Solution     Impact     Effort     
A1.               High         Medium     
A2.               High         Low  
A3.               High         High ( also accuracy issue ) 
B1                 High.        Medium ( with Open AI)  
B2                High.        Low

 

In summary I would design a stereo for the older population. My sterio would ensure that the old people remain safe whie driving and can easily operate not just the sterio but the entire operations. An assumption is that the basic functionality of music, navigation, settings are there in this stereo. 

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Get access to over 238 hours of video material containing an interview prep course, recorded mock interviews by expert PMs, group practice sessions, and QAs with expert PMs
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