Gamifying the prep experience for a cooking robot.
Nymble is a cooking robot. You can use it to cook anything you want. It takes care of all the mixing and cooking. However, you need to prep all the ingredients yourself! This is where the problem lies. People find it cumbersome to prep all the ingredients. We wanted to make this experience more engaging and fun.
Problem Overview
There are many guided / meal planning cooking apps out there which help people pick recipes, help them out with grocery, prepping all ingredients and then with the actual cooking of that particular recipe. A major observation is that the main drop off points for users is when they have to prep for ingredients.
Competitor Research
Audience Traffic Data Analysis
Benchmarked competitors using Similarweb
Gender
- 70% Female
- 30% Male
Age
- 18-24 (11%)
- 25-34 (30%)
- 35-44 (19%)
- 44-54 (16%)
- 55-65 (16%)
- 65+ (8%)
Location
- US (20%)
- IN (20%)
- Worldwide (60%)
Cooking Proficiency
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Expert
Ideal User persona
Riya
Sandy
Sohesh
User Research
I used user interview method to gain insights from prospective users.
Since the maximum number (30%) of people are in the age group of 25-34 and India is the 2nd big market, I have tailored the research accordingly. (1:3:2:2 = 18-24 : 25-34, 35-44, 44-54)
Here is a link to the form & insights.
Insights Summary
Diverse Cooking Habits
Users exhibit a range of cooking habits, from occasional cooks like Seema and Fiza to more frequent cooks like Monica and Agorie. Understanding these habits is crucial for tailoring app features and content.
Skill Levels and Preferences
Users vary in their cooking proficiency and preferences. While Rishabh and Monica are more experienced and open to trying new recipes, Seema and Fiza are beginners who may prefer simpler recipes and step-by-step guidance.
Ingredient Availability and Management
Users encounter challenges related to ingredient availability, storage, and management. Providing features like ingredient substitution suggestions, storage tips, and easy access to hyperlocal ingredient sourcing can address these challenges.
Nutritional Awareness
Several users, including Rishabh, Agorie, and Monica, prioritise nutrition in their cooking. Offering nutritional information, healthy recipe options, & the ability to customise recipes based on dietary preferences.
Convenience and Efficiency
Users value convenience & efficiency in their cooking experience. Features such as pre-packaged ingredient kits, automated chopping tools, and quick-prep techniques can enhance convenience and streamline the process.
Community and Engagement
Users appreciate community engagement and interaction. Providing platforms for sharing personal experiences, tips, and recipe suggestions can foster a sense of belonging and encourage engagement among users.
Variety and Flexibility
Users seek variety and flexibility in their cooking journey. Offering a wide range of recipes, customization options, and subscription-based services with flexible choices can cater to diverse user preferences and needs.
Presentation and Serving Suggestions
Users express interest in presentation tips and suggestions for serving dishes. Providing guidance on plating, garnishing, and complementary side dishes or beverages can enhance the overall dining experience.
User journey
User Flow
Gamification
Wireframes
Summary
The user research and insights have helped us understand some of the pain points and needs during the prep time experience. We have designed a gamified experience for the prep process which will make it more engaging and fun for the users. This will help in reducing the drop off rate at the prep stage which is necessary for a device such as a cooking robot that handles everything else!