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.
Year
2023
Country
USA
Team
8 people
Commits
2815
Development
14 weeks
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.
STEPR approached us to develop an Android tablet app enabling them to create customized training programs for their fitness equipment. We delivered the requested features while incorporating protocols from their Chinese partner.
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.
Pre-Project - 2 Weeks
Agile Development - 11 Weeks
Release - 1 Week
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:
PM Perspective
Addressing the short development time required a strategic approach, leveraging both innovative methodologies and disciplined execution. An Agile development framework allowed the team to work in iterative cycles. This approach facilitated continuous feedback, regular reassessments of progress, and the ability to adapt to changes quickly.
Development Perspective
Addressing Android's security limitations required adaptability and resourcefulness. By utilizing undocumented APIs and collaborating with the Chinese partners, we successfully overcame these hurdles, ensuring the functionality and reliability of the application.
QA Perspective
QA efforts on the STEPR project were primarily dedicated to ensuring seamless connectivity for a variety of Bluetooth-enabled devices, including heart rate monitor straps and headphones such as AirPods. Comprehensive testing was conducted to verify the functionality of connection and reconnection features, with a focus on compatibility to ensure a smooth and reliable user experience across different devices.
DevOps Perspective
We employed robust CI/CD pipelines to manage development and deployment efficiently. Using DigitalOcean helped us scale our operations smoothly, accommodating the high demands of frequent software updates and patches.
Overall Business / Roadmap Perspective
The positive reception of the STEPR application was evident in customer ratings, reviews, and feedback. A high rating of 4.7 on STEPR’s website, positive customer testimonials, and endorsements from fitness experts validated the effectiveness and functionality of the product, paving the way for its success in the market.
testimonials
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