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Research • Experience Design • System Thinking

Chawon

AR Running Experience Integrating with Samsung’s Ecosystem

Details

TYPE

Samsung Innovation School

TEAM

5 students from Politecnico di Milano

DURATION

2 months (Apr - May 2025)

After the pandemic, running grew rapidly not just for fitness, but as a way to find mental and emotional well-being. Yet most running tools still prioritize metrics.

This led us to ask: "What if running wasn’t about escaping the world, but reconnecting to it?" Our goal was to redesign the running experience with AR to foster presence, reflection, and connection.

Challenge

How might we design the running experience around meaning, not just measurement, by leveraging Samsung’s AR glasses and device ecosystem?

Solution

We defined and designed Chawon, an AR-powered, multi-touchpoint service that leverages the Samsung Ecosystem to redefine the running experience. This strategic system creates a new connection and motivational engine for users, transforming physical activity into a more meaningful and immersive experience.

Core Concept

Three dimensions of running, connecting to

Self: Fostering presence, mindfulness, and personal growth
Friends: Enabling synchronous experiences despite distance
City: Transforming the environment into an interactive landscape

My Role

Research on running app and AR device markets to inform the product strategy
Defined the core service-system and its integration with Samsung's device ecosystem
Created UX flows for diverse running modes, including multi-device integration
Designed the core interface concepts to bring the service vision to life

Research

Market Analysis

User Research

Based on market analysis and user research, we found that current market value primarily focuses on measurable metrics, such as improving performance or achieving goal-oriented outcomes like losing weight. However, people run not only for numbers. They also run for mental health, to focus on themselves, as part of a lifestyle, or to feel connected with their surroundings.

Technology Research

Case Study

We conducted technology research to evaluate the feasibility of implementing various solutions in our service. Additionally, we carried out case studies to explore potential features and identify opportunities that could enhance the user experience.

Service

The service aims running revolution, which means transforming the way people train and experience running through the use of Samsung AR glasses.

We developed three main concepts:

Run Solo - focus on themselves, Portal - run with friends, and Discover the City - explore the city while running. In the future, we can expand our business opportunities to include global competitions, connecting local communities and world marathons.

Ecosystem

Chawon is powered by a multi-device ecosystem:

AR glasses deliver visual prompts and contextual information. Galaxy watch detects the real-time mood and biometric feedback, and Galaxy Bud deliver adaptive soundscapes and guides.

The system is powered by AI-driven performance insights and cloud based memory synchronization via Samsung Health app. This enables personalized mode recommendation and secure preservation of running experiences.

Storyboards

Developed storyboards that highlight community-driven features like Portal Run, and explore potential business expansion opportunities based on these experiences.

Interface

Ghost Run
Mood based runs with calming soundscapes, ambient AR visuals, and posture guidance.
Portal Run
Run virtually with a friend from another city in real-time, or join global AR events.
City Run
Lighting up the path with AR memory points and cultural waypoints. Running becomes memory, exploration and discovery.
Ghost Run
Mood based runs with calming soundscapes, ambient AR visuals, and posture guidance.
Portal Run
Run virtually with a friend from another city in real-time, or join global AR events.
City Run
Lighting up the path with AR memory points and cultural waypoints. Running becomes memory, exploration and discovery.
Ghost Run
Mood based runs with calming soundscapes, ambient AR visuals, and posture guidance.
Portal Run
Run virtually with a friend from another city in real-time, or join global AR events.
City Run
Lighting up the path with AR memory points and cultural waypoints. Running becomes memory, exploration and discovery.
Ghost Run
Mood based runs with calming soundscapes, ambient AR visuals, and posture guidance.
Portal Run
Run virtually with a friend from another city in real-time, or join global AR events.
City Run
Lighting up the path with AR memory points and cultural waypoints. Running becomes memory, exploration and discovery.

Business Opportunity

Building on business opportunities like global hybrid marathons and city discovery runs that promote local communities, we mapped out a system structure to visualize how these elements could operate within the service ecosystem.

System Map

Impact

Received positive stakeholder feedback from Samsung executives, highlighting: Strong alignment with the Samsung ecosystem and potential from a business perspective.
Project was pitched during the Polimi PSSD 20th Anniversary event.

Reflection

This project gave me hands-on experience in designing service systems that connect physical, digital, and emotional layers within a large-scale ecosystem. It taught me how to balance engaging storytelling with system logic. Working with AR also deepened my awareness of designing for emerging technologies, learning to envision what’s next while staying realistic about today’s device capabilities.

To enhance the commercial viability and technical feasibility, the next phase would prioritize prototyping core AR interactions and conducting rigorous user validation testing to confirm both desirability and real-world feasibility.