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Challenges:

Currently, barrier-free access is being promoted in various social settings, including public transportation facilities and buildings.

LIXIL was exploring new barrier-free products that could be retrofitted to front doors from various manufacturers and easily used by anyone. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, they also sensed a growing societal need for touchless front door opening and closing systems from the perspective of infection control.

The challenge in the project was to develop an app that would work in conjunction with the product. As hardware integration was essential, the partner was required to have high app development expertise capable of using agile development, which is robust against specification changes and feature additions, and supporting Bluetooth connectivity and voice recognition.

Solutions:

Monstarlab discussed the required app functionalities and conducted requirements definition with all stakeholders, including product representatives. We researched similar services, determined specifications, and worked to achieve them.

Initially, we established a plan to develop and design in parallel, solidifying the app's overall structure with the iOS version before migrating to the Android version. For the iOS version, we conducted technology research to support Siri voice recognition and Apple Watch usage.

On the design side, we created wireframes based on a list of features and screens. While maintaining consistency with the tone of other apps developed by LIXIL, we sought to create a simple and user-friendly UI design.

For Bluetooth connectivity, which had significantly different internal flows between iOS and Android, we explored optimal solutions for each OS. In terms of security, we incorporated mechanisms such as requiring passcode input for specific doors and ensuring that connections were not persistent except during app use.

In parallel with development, we conducted hardware-based testing that aligned with the screen transition diagrams. We repeated thorough tests, especially focusing on Bluetooth connectivity and voice recognition functionality, identifying and improving any bugs or usability issues.

", "title": "A novel service that allows for hands-free front door opening and closing through voice control and other methods", "overviewTitle": "DOAC : Electric Front Door Opener System", "publishedDate": 1743660000000, "overview": "LIXIL is Japan's largest manufacturer of building materials and housing equipment. It is a global company that develops and provides advanced technologies and products, aiming to realize rich and comfortable homes that people dream of. Monstar Lab was responsible for the development of \"DOAC,\" an electric front door opener system app developed by the company's new business division, the Business Incubation Center. We handled all processes from requirements definition and technology research to UX/UI design and product development.", "seo": { "title": "LIXIL | DOAC : Electric Front Door Opener System | Monstarlab", "description": "Yamaguchi Financial Group is a financial holding company with three regional banks under its umbrella: Yamaguchi Bank, Kitakyushu Bank, and Momiji Bank. Under the slogan \"Beyond Regions, For the Future,\" they have positioned contributing to regional development as their mission.\n\nIn February 2021, the company established \"Inesus,\" a new company that acts as a corporate welfare service provider, a first among regional banks nationwide. They are working to solve regional issues through their welfare service business.\n\nMonstar Lab participated in the development of the welfare service app \"Inesus,\" named after the newly established welfare service company, from the planning stage. We were responsible for the processes from requirements definition to UX/UI design and product development." }, "relatedLinks": {}, "qoute": "", "content2": "

Results:

The DOAC app was released as the world's first voice-operated automatic front door opening and closing system, garnering significant attention from the residential equipment industry and various media outlets.

LIXIL began nationwide sales of the Bluetooth receiver, a retrofittable device linked with the DOAC app, in September 2021, and it has been well-received for creating convenient and comfortable homes for the entire family.

Monstarlab was commended for its flexible development approach, which appropriately accommodated product version upgrades, and continues to provide support for further service enhancement.

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