Inside the experience
Over several weeks, we explored the lived experience of navigating cities through research, interviews, benchmarking, and co-creation sessions. What emerged was a clear disconnect between how urban mobility systems are designed and what neurodivergent people need in order to feel grounded, confident, and in control while moving through the city.
This project focuses on autistic adults with Level 1 Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), individuals who can generally navigate daily life independently, yet still experience meaningful challenges related to sensory overload, anxiety, and the unpredictability of public transportation. These were some of the most striking insights that first captured our attention, helping us define and ground the problem space we set out to explore (see data below)
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Autistic people navigate everyday life in Madrid
60%
60%
Sensory hypersensitivity affects up to 96% of autistic people.
50%
50%
For 95% of neurodivergent individuals, anxiety is a barrier to using public transport regularly.
Asociación APANAS
“Not knowing whether the bus has already gone or if it’s still 20 minutes away is what triggers anxiety.”
Manuel Sanchez, Level 1 ASD
“Communication between neurotypical and autistic people is like using two different software programs.”
Micaela Ferder, Level 1 ASD
“If everything is going well, I function well, but if there’s a technical issue and I have to interact or ask for help, I shut down.”
Insights
1
When the Unexpected Takes Over
When the system fails, the absence of an obvious alternative can trigger immediate cognitive paralysis for literal thinkers.
2
The Unfiltered City
Without a way to filter sensory input, everyday urban environments can quickly become overwhelming, draining both physical and mental energy energy long before the destination is reached.
3
Lost in translation
Mobility systems often communicate through implicit signals and abstract information, creating uncertainty for people who interpret information literally.
Part 2
Building on the research, we began turning insights into tangible experiences through user flows, information architecture, brand strategy, and visual identity. Each round of concept testing and user feedback helped us refine our thinking, resulting in a navigation experience grounded in users' needs, expectations, and everyday behaviors.
The outcome
Three key insights
Users autonomy
Users don’t want control taken away from them—they want support that helps them stay independent and make their own decisions.
Familiarity and integration
The solution should align with existing user behaviors, integrating naturally into how people already navigate and interact, without requiring new learning or habits.
Reduced Cognitive Load
The experience should feel calm and easy to process, reducing pressure by avoiding complexity and time-sensitive interactions.
Designed for...
Navify is an inclusive mobility app designed to reduce uncertainty and ease cognitive, sensory, and emotional overload during urban journeys. It helps people navigate cities with greater autonomy, confidence, and predictability through personalized guidance, sensory-aware design, and proactive support.
How it comes together
How it comes together
How it comes together
How it comes together
01
Onboarding
Mobility is experienced differently by everyone, which makes one-size-fits-all solutions ineffective. Navify responds by learning users’ sensory preferences and support needs from the very beginning, shaping a more personalized experience from the start.
02
Home
Uncertainty often starts before the journey even begins. The home screen is designed as a moment to pause, reflect, and proactively access support before setting off.
03
Crisis Buttom
In moments of distress, users reported freezing and finding it difficult to communicate their needs. To support this, the experience reduces the need for decision-making by surfacing immediate actions and personalized coping tools.
04
Map
The challenge with traditional navigation is not just information, but unpredictability. Navify addresses this by designing for sensory needs and predictability, while incorporating live updates from users to reflect real conditions.