STEPR

STEPR is revolutionizing fitness workouts with its compact and effective stair-climbing machines. Designed for a diverse range of fitness levels and preferences, these machines integrate cutting-edge technology with user-centric design.

In recent years, the global fitness equipment market has seen significant growth, driven by increasing health awareness and the recognition of the benefits of regular exercise. By 2024, the global exercise equipment market is projected to generate 47 billion dollars in revenue.

Challenge

Our collaboration with STEPR focused on building their Android-based tablet application, pivotal for machine control and user interaction, to ensure a successful market introduction.

We encountered two main challenges during the project:

1. Android system. The STEPR stair machine, equipped with a 27-inch screen featuring a 16:9 aspect ratio, operates on the Android 10 platform. Developing software for this system posed significant challenges due to Android's security system restrictions.

2. UI Design. STEPR required emulating a full-fledged operating system within the app. Crafting an intuitive and easily navigable user interface that remains accessible even during the physical strain of a workout was another challenge.

Process

The full-cycle development of the STEPR application underwent key stages from Planning & Discovery to QA & Release.

During the Discovery stage, we analyzed end-users' workout environments and interaction patterns. When working on IoT projects, we always ask for a device itself. That’s why STEPR sent us the device so that we could develop and test all the features of the application directly.

Eight members of the Stormotion team participated, including a Team Lead, Developers, QA Engineers, a UI/UX Designer, and a Project Manager. The app took approximately 14 weeks to develop.

Solution

To overcome these challenges, the development team employed several innovative strategies.

We obtained crucial insights from the functioning code of the Chinese version of the app, particularly in implementing WiFi functionality. This helped us navigate around Android's security constraints.

By delving into the Android source code, we identified hidden APIs essential for internal services operation. Leveraging these APIs enabled us to bypass some limitations imposed by the standard Android security framework.

We also integrated a protocol received from the Chinese partners to establish a stable serial connection between the tablet and the fitness machine. This allowed for real-time data transmission, ensuring precise control over workout parameters.

To integrate the OS elements, STEPR's design includes a separate system panel located at the top of the screen. This panel remains visible at all times, providing users with easy access to essential system settings and functions. By integrating these elements into the interface, users can conveniently manage tasks such as adjusting volume, connecting to Wi-Fi or Bluetooth devices, and monitoring the time without navigating away from the app's primary content.

Given that most user interactions with the app would occur during climbing stairs, the UI solution involved making all interactive elements large enough to be easily tapped. However, our team appropriately sized these elements to maintain a modern and user-friendly design.

In addition to addressing the core challenges, we implemented several features to enhance the user experience and functionality of the STEPR application:

• OTA Updates. The application supports over-the-air updates, enabling STEPR to push new features and improvements directly to users' devices. This ensures that the user experience remains fresh and engaging over time.

• Workout Customization. Users can create and save custom workout routines, adjusting parameters such as speed, resistance, and duration directly from the tablet.

• Real-time Metrics Display. The application elegantly overlays real-time workout data, including steps per minute, floors climbed, heart rate, and calories burned, on top of entertainment content. This ensures the visibility of workout progress without distracting from the user's experience.

• Entertainment Features. We integrated a Picture-in-Picture mode that allows users to enjoy their favorite shows or music from platforms like Netflix, YouTube, and Spotify while simultaneously tracking their workout metrics. Balancing app performance and streaming quality can be a significant challenge, but future updates are going to expand entertainment options further.

Success for STEPR from a: