RFCx Arbimon Offline Acoustic Analysis

Client Background

Problem Definition

Role

Rainforest Connection (RFCx) is a non-profit organization that focuses on using acoustic detection systems to prevent illegal logging and poaching while monitoring rainforest biodiversity.

Our goal is to redesign the data analysis process of its eco-acoustic platform Arbimon facilitating a shift from cloud base to users’ local computing power.

UX Researcher & Designer

Timeline

Jan 2024 - Apr 2024

Current Obstacles

  • Lack of cloud storage and high maintenance costs to store all the user data, due to the nature of limited resources.

  • The possibility of the algorithm implementation in an offline environment.

  • Lack of programming skills among users.

Stakeholder / User Research

Interview Goals :

  1. Understand current platform design and workflow.

  2. Feasibility of leveraging users’ computational power and implementation limitations of offline workflow.

  3. Explore users’ expectations for transition to local server.

Interview Participants :

  • Stakeholders

    • Product designer and Software developer at RFCx

  • External User of Arbimon Platform

    • Over 18 years old, have used the platform and should not belong to internal scientist team.

*The team didn't interview internal scientists because they are the super users and are likely to keep using the  online version for data analysis.

Findings :

  1. Frustration about prolonged running time

  2. Learning Curves that require users to invest time in becoming familiar with the platform.

  3. Desire for an intuitive user flow without any coding experience

Proposed Solution

1. CLI(command line interface) Integration

Users would operate their local server to connect to Arbimon via simple computer terminal code.

*require only basic coding knowledge to operate

2. A GUI that prompts non-coding actions from users

Taking inspiration from Google Drive and VPN plug-ins, users will connect to their local server through an intuitive interface.

*no coding knowledge required

Some Considerations before prototyping

  1. Solution 2 fits users’ desired no-coding outcomes but requires more development resources to complete the interface.

  2. How to ensure a smooth and flexible transition flow between Arbimon and local runner.

Prototyping

1. Notify user from data preparation stage to utilize local server if they have large recording data.

2. Built-in login window connected with Arbimon cloud analysis system

3. Multi-tasking progress and status bar

Complete User Flow