Our Project Proposal : SmartMeal

Problem Space ❓

The UTMSmart app provides students and staff at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) with tools to navigate campus life. Among its features, the “Getting Around” module is developed to help users navigate campus facilities, including dining locations. However, the dining sub-feature currently presents several usability and user experience (UX) challenges that hinder its effectiveness.

The current implementation of the dining feature lacks several core user-centered design principles. Some essential functionalities such as real-time outlet status, digital menus, and food ordering capabilities are either missing or underdeveloped. Students, lecturers and staff often struggle to find accurate information about what’s open, what’s being served, and how to avoid long waits.

These gaps in usability not only cause inconvenience but also reduce the overall usefulness of the app. This space outlines the main user experience (UX) challenges in the Dining feature and explores opportunities to improve the experience for everyone who relies on UTMSmart to get through their day.

The following are three common issues faced by UTMSmart users when using the 'dining' feature, as shown in the video:

     1. Lack of Real-time Open/Close Status

A major problem with the current dining feature in UTMSmart is the app does not provide any real-time information for dining outlets about whether the dining stalls are open or closed. This often causes the students and staff who have physically arrived at a dining location but find out that the stall is unexpectedly closed on that day. Keeping facing such super frustrating conditions annoyed the user at full and end up disappointed after a long walking journey. This process is also not convenient and inefficient, especially for those with limited time within classes. To improve the user experience, the addition of a real-time open/close status feature is needed to allow students to plan their meals and avoid wasting time looking for an open stall. 

2. Lack of automation food order

Users such as students, lecturers and staff find it difficult and time-consuming to order food efficiently. In the current process, users must manually search or “scroll down”  through Telegram or WhatsApp groups to find their food options and send messages. Once the users choose their preferred vendors, they also need to wait for a long period of time to receive a confirmation for the order especially during peak hours which results in delays or order confusion among the vendors. This lack of automation affects the user satisfaction where it creates unpleasant and frustration among users who want quick and minimal steps to order their meals.

3. Lack of menu display

The dining section only shows general food categories without listing all the specific stalls or their available menu options. So, users are unable to have an overview of detailed options resulting in difficulties for comparing different vendors in the context of type of food and their pricing as students might want to have budget-friendly meals. This directly affects the usability goal of ease of perception, which makes it difficult for users to interpret the information displayed to them and make their own decision. 

Our Solution ⭐

SmartMeal – a user interface solution to simplify food ordering and improve vendor-customer communication.

We decided to add a SmartMeal section where the purpose is to simplify the food ordering experience and improvecommunication between vendors and customers. Through this feature, users can conveniently browse a digital menu, place their food orders directly, and opt for delivery if the service is available. The SmartMeal section also helps usersmake better decisions by clearly showing whether a shop is currently open or closed, not just based on regular operating hours but also taking into account other conditions such as public holidays, rest days, or temporary closures. This reduces confusion and prevents users from placing orders when the shop is unavailable.

1.Stall Status

This feature will inform users about the current status of each dining location, whether it is open, closed, or unavailable due to holidays or rest days. The interface will display a clear status label such as “Open Now”, “Closed”, or “On Holiday”. Operating hours and closure dates can be updated accordingly to reflect the latest status. This helps users avoid attempting to order or visit when a location is not operating. The feature aligns with SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, as it promotes digital innovation to improve communication and enhance service efficiency on campus.

2. Delivery Service 

This option allows cafes and shops to inform customers that they offer delivery services. Once customers click the delivery icon, they can place their orders directly through a Google form, which will be sent straight to the shop. The benefits of this feature include increased accessibility, as it can help boost daily sales, especially during exam seasons, or hot weather, when students are more likely to order delivery rather than visit in person.  Additionally, businesses can serve a wider geographic area, attracting customers who are unable to visit the store physically. Last but not least, customers can also save time and effort by having their orders delivered directly to their location, making the entire experience more convenient and efficient. This feature aligns with SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, as the smart food ordering system contributes to creating a more sustainable and livable campus community by improving accessibility and convenience.

3. Digital Menu 

This feature allows customers to view the shop’s digital menu, which includes the food items, prices and possibly pictures provided by the shop. It is for viewing purposes only and does not support ordering through the system. The benefits of this feature include allowing customers to browse the menu anytime and anywhere using their phones, even before visiting the shop. Additionally, including images of food items can entice customers and make the menu more appetizing. Last but not least, shops can update prices or add new items easily without the need to reprint physical menus. This feature aligns with SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, as it provides better menu visibility and clearer vendor options, enabling students to make more conscious and budget-friendly food choices.

 

Our Target User 📌

1. Students (UTM)

Benefit:

Students can enjoy a more convenient and efficient campus dining experience with reduced waiting times during peak hours, helping to save time in daily routines. Users can explore a variety of campus dining options in one digital platform such as compare meals, view menus, check real-time operating hours and status (open/closed) and place orders in advance. With delivery available directly to campus blocks or designated pick-up points, the system supports busy lifestyles and enhances the overall campus experience through a seamless, contactless ordering process.

2. Lecturers (UTM)

Benefit:

Gain access to quick, reliable meal services between classes and meetings without the hassle of long queues or unexpected closures. Through the platform, lecturers can schedule meal pickups or deliveries at convenient times and locations, reducing disruptions to their workflow. The system improves time management and ensures consistent access to food options, particularly during tight schedules or during academic events.

3. Parents

Benefit:

Parents can use the platform to ensure their children at UTM receive proper meals, especially during exam weeks or busy academic periods. From outside the campus, parents can browse available food options, place orders, and have meals delivered directly to their child’s location within UTM. This offers peace of mind and a sense of care, knowing their child has eaten well, even when far from home. The platform creates a new, practical way for parents to stay connected and provide support remotely.