Solving the Problem of Finding Your Car in Indoor Parking (Without an App)

Solving the Problem of Finding Your Car in Indoor Parking (Without an App)

Solving the Problem of Finding Your Car in Indoor Parking (Without an App)

Role

Role

End-to-End Product Designer

End-to-End Product Designer

Duration

Duration

30 Days

30 Days

Tools

Tools

Figma, Google Forms, Illustrator

Figma, Google Forms, Illustrator

Project Type

Project Type

Personal Concept Project

Personal Concept Project

Project Summary

Large venues like malls, airports, and event spaces face a common but frustrating problem: people forget where they parked. The sheer scale of these spaces, coupled with poor signage or disorientation after long visits, causes anxiety and wasted time.

This case study covers the design and development of Loc(8)ate, a lightweight web-based parking recall solution allowing users to save their parking location using QR code triggers and indoor navigation technology.

Large venues like malls, airports, and event spaces face a common but frustrating problem: people forget where they parked. The sheer scale of these spaces, coupled with poor signage or disorientation after long visits, causes anxiety and wasted time.

This case study covers the design and development of Loc(8)ate, a lightweight web-based parking recall solution allowing users to save their parking location using QR code triggers and indoor navigation technology.

Problem Statement

In large indoor parking areas such as shopping malls, airports, and event venues, people frequently struggle to find their parked vehicles. This issue is especially common in multi-level or underground structures, where visual cues are minimal and navigation is disorienting.

As a result, users often face:

  • Time-consuming searches through multiple parking zones

  • Frustration and stress, especially when in a hurry or carrying heavy items

  • Disruption to their overall visit experience, leaving them with a negative impression

In large indoor parking areas such as shopping malls, airports, and event venues, people frequently struggle to find their parked vehicles. This issue is especially common in multi-level or underground structures, where visual cues are minimal and navigation is disorienting.

As a result, users often face:

  • Time-consuming searches through multiple parking zones

  • Frustration and stress, especially when in a hurry or carrying heavy items

  • Disruption to their overall visit experience, leaving them with a negative impression

Target Audience

01

01

Commercial Complexes

High-Sports areas with extensive parking spaces requiring efficient vehicle retrieval.

High-Sports areas with extensive parking spaces requiring efficient vehicle retrieval.

02

02

Shopping Malls

Large multi-level parking lots where shoppers often forget their parking location.

Large multi-level parking lots where shoppers often forget their parking location.

03

03

Event Venues

Places with temporary parking setups where attendees may struggle to remember their spots.

Places with temporary parking setups where attendees may struggle to remember their spots.

Objectives

Objectives

  • Create a lightweight, accessible solution for parking location recall.

  • Ensure the system is easy, fast, and works without mobile apps.

  • Integrate with indoor mapping systems to provide step-by-step navigation.

  • Automate messaging to user phones after location confirmation.

  • Create a lightweight, accessible solution for parking location recall.

  • Ensure the system is easy, fast, and works without mobile apps.

  • Integrate with indoor mapping systems to provide step-by-step navigation.

  • Automate messaging to user phones after location confirmation.

Goals

Goals

  • Help users save their location in under 60 seconds.

  • Deliver an indoor navigation link via WhatsApp or SMS.

  • Ensure minimal user interaction: only scan, confirm, and go.

  • Help users save their location in under 60 seconds.

  • Deliver an indoor navigation link via WhatsApp or SMS.

  • Ensure minimal user interaction: only scan, confirm, and go.

Hypotheses

  • People often forget where they parked in malls, airports, and large event venues.

  • Lack of signage or visual cues in parking areas leads to confusion.

  • Distractions while parking reduce the chance of remembering the location.

  • Crowded environments increase the chances of misplaced vehicle recall.

  • Most users rely on memory, not tech, to find their parked vehicles.

Research & Insights

To understand how people experience the frustration of losing their parked vehicles, I followed a mixed research approach — combining real-world observations, user interviews, and supporting data.

Field Visit to Parking Areas

I personally visited a few malls with large indoor parking lots to speak directly with people at the parking exit points. While I wasn’t allowed to record videos or conduct formal interviews on-site,

I had casual, one-on-one conversations with few people and noted down their responses. Most admitted that they often forget their parking spot, especially when they're in a rush or distracted. I’ve also documented the visit with photos from the actual underground parking areas.

Images blurred for privacy

Images blurred for privacy

Images blurred for privacy

User Interviews

To dig deeper, I conducted structured interviews with 5 users over Google Meet. They frequently visit places like malls, airports, or events. Every one of them had at least one experience of not being able to find their vehicle. Common patterns emerged: poor signage, look-alike surroundings, and a lack of habit in noting down parking positions.

Supporting Research

In addition to first-hand research, I looked at global and India-specific reports. A study from IJCRT covering 20 urban parking sites in India highlighted similar behavior — people struggling to remember where they parked, especially in indoor and repetitive parking structures.

Globally, the pattern holds:

  • 56% of UK drivers forget where they parked

  • Shopping malls and multi-level garages are the most confusing spaces

  • People still rely heavily on memory, rather than using digital tools

Key Findings

While global studies show that 56–65% of users in developed countries frequently forget where they parked, Indian data remains limited. However, a recent IJCRT study based on interviews at 20 urban parking sites supports similar patterns of confusion and frustration, especially in indoor and mall-based parking areas.”

Reference: IJCRT India Parking Behavior Study (2023)

Reference: IJCRT India Parking Behavior Study (2023)

Personas

User Journey Map

Constraints & Problem Analysis

Contextual Constraints

  • Indoor parking lacks GPS signals, making it hard to use standard navigation apps.

  • Signage is inconsistent, especially in multi-level structures.

  • Multiple exits confuse users about orientation when returning.

  • Indoor parking lacks GPS signals, making it hard to use standard navigation apps.

  • Signage is inconsistent, especially in multi-level structures.

  • Multiple exits confuse users about orientation when returning.

Technical Limitations

  • Google Maps does not support precise indoor blue-dot tracking in most malls.

  • Other indoor systems often require costly hardware (beacons/Wi-Fi mapping).

  • Most parking solutions need app installation, creating friction for casual users.

  • Google Maps does not support precise indoor blue-dot tracking in most malls.

  • Other indoor systems often require costly hardware (beacons/Wi-Fi mapping).

  • Most parking solutions need app installation, creating friction for casual users.

Behavioral Challenges

  • Users don’t expect to forget their parking spot, so they rarely take action.

  • After long visits, users experience mental fatigue, reducing recall ability.

  • Many feel rushed when exiting, leaving little time to “figure it out.”

  • Users don’t expect to forget their parking spot, so they rarely take action.

  • After long visits, users experience mental fatigue, reducing recall ability.

  • Many feel rushed when exiting, leaving little time to “figure it out.”

Concept & Solution

Solution Concept Overview

Information architecture

User parks their vehicle and notices a QR code pasted on a nearby pillar.

  1. Scans the QR → opens a mobile web app (no installation required).

  2. The app asks for the user’s phone number and requests location permission.

  3. Upon confirmation:

    • The current location is saved.

    • A message is triggered and sent to the user via WhatsApp or SMS, containing a recall link.

  4. Later, the user opens the link and follows the directions to reach their parked vehicle.

User parks their vehicle and notices a QR code pasted on a nearby pillar.

  1. Scans the QR → opens a mobile web app (no installation required).

  2. The app asks for the user’s phone number and requests location permission.

  3. Upon confirmation:

    • The current location is saved.

    • A message is triggered and sent to the user via WhatsApp or SMS, containing a recall link.

  4. Later, the user opens the link and follows the directions to reach their parked vehicle.

Technical Constraints

Initially, the solution was intended to use Google Maps for navigation. While Google Maps performs well outdoors, it presents limitations inside large enclosed structures.

Initially, the solution was intended to use Google Maps for navigation. While Google Maps performs well outdoors, it presents limitations inside large enclosed structures.

Google Maps Limitation in Malls:

  • GPS signals are inaccurate or absent indoors, especially underground.

  • Google Indoor Maps only exist for selected venues.

  • If a mall is not mapped, you cannot get precise indoor navigation using Google Maps.

  • GPS signals are inaccurate or absent indoors, especially underground.

  • Google Indoor Maps only exist for selected venues.

  • If a mall is not mapped, you cannot get precise indoor navigation using Google Maps.

What’s Needed to Enable Google Indoor Maps

  • The mall/building must submit a floor plan/blueprint to Google.

  • Google’s Indoor Maps team needs to process and configure the layout.

  • The building must meet eligibility criteria (public access, mapped layout, etc.).

  • While not officially paid, this may require business partnership or formal request via Google Maps Partner Program.

  • The mall/building must submit a floor plan/blueprint to Google.

  • Google’s Indoor Maps team needs to process and configure the layout.

  • The building must meet eligibility criteria (public access, mapped layout, etc.).

  • While not officially paid, this may require business partnership or formal request via Google Maps Partner Program.

Reference: Google Indoor Maps Setup

Alternative Indoor Mapping Solutions

Recognizing that Google may not always be a feasible option, I evaluated other indoor mapping solutions and compared their features and feasibility with Google Indoor Maps. Based on this comparison, I concluded which tool is the most suitable.

Recognizing that Google may not always be a feasible option, I evaluated other indoor mapping solutions and compared their features and feasibility with Google Indoor Maps. Based on this comparison, I concluded which tool is the most suitable.

Final Decision (After Evaluation)

After evaluating cost, ease of integration, and required accuracy, the finalized stack may use:

User Flow

  • Entry Point: Scan QR → Load Web App

  • Mid Flow: Enter phone number → Allow location → Confirm

  • Exit Point: Backend stores data → Sends pre-written message via WhatsApp with indoor route link

Low-Fidelity Wireframes

High-Fidelity Mockups

High-Fidelity Mockups

  • Welcome Screen

  • Phone Number Input

  • Location Confirmation

  • Task Success

  • Navigation UI

  • Indoor route guidance via Google Maps

High-Fidelity Prototype

  • Users guided through 3-4 screens max.

  • Each screen optimized for mobile readability and tap zones.

  • WhatsApp message includes location context + floor + pin.

Anticipated Impact on Users

While this is a conceptual project, the solution was designed to address clear pain points identified through user research and behavioral insights. If implemented, it could potentially result in:

Faster vehicle recall

(in < 60 seconds), reducing user frustration after long visits.

Frictionless experience

Using a no-download, web-based interface.

Improved in-mall navigation

Via precise location guidance inside complex structures.

Personal Impact

User-centered research synthesis

Planning backend-triggered logic (SMS/WhatsApp automation)

Evaluating indoor navigation technologies (Google Maps, Oriient, etc.)

Making product decisions based on feasibility, constraints, and user needs

Final Thoughts

Loc8 demonstrates that even a small, everyday problem like “I forgot where I parked” can become an opportunity for efficient, elegant design. With the rise of smart environments and indoor APIs, concepts like Loc8 can lead the way in micro-interaction-based service design.

Loc8 demonstrates that even a small, everyday problem like “I forgot where I parked” can become an opportunity for efficient, elegant design. With the rise of smart environments and indoor APIs, concepts like Loc8 can lead the way in micro-interaction-based service design.

Loc8 demonstrates that even a small, everyday problem like “I forgot where I parked” can become an opportunity for efficient, elegant design. With the rise of smart environments and indoor APIs, concepts like Loc8 can lead the way in micro-interaction-based service design.