A comprehensive, high efficient, and highly customizable Automatic Planning system based on generative AI
Itinera is an AI-powered tool that creates personalized travel plans in seconds, adjusting for user preferences and delays for a seamless experience.
HIGHTLIGHTS
Here are the key features I ultimately developed.
Feature 1
Our platform allows users to set final destination, different conditions, requirements, priority, specific attractions and more controlled variables to generate the plan, then in the following process, the system will generate itinerary and suggestions based on the variables users have set.
Feature 2
Upon establishing user preferences and priorities, our system will autonomously create a preliminary itinerary. This suggested plan acts as a starting point, guiding users through an interactive review process where they can scrutinize and modify the daily agenda to better fit their individual needs.
Feature 3
Our system includes a “quick planning” feature, allowing users to create a personalized itinerary even the night before a trip. By setting a starting point, destination, and prioritizing factors like budget or accommodation, the system quickly generates a detailed, editable plan.
Feature 4
During trips, unexpected events like snowstorms, roadblocks, or traffic can disrupt plans. Our system offers a flexible tool that allows users to easily adjust their itinerary. It intelligently recalibrates based on distance, priorities, and travel time, ensuring smooth adjustments for unforeseen changes.
PART 1
RESEARCH
To ensure interviewees represent most users, I chose Gen Z and Gen X, the largest global groups. Additionally, I considered stakeholders, identifying key categories: hotel owners, restaurants, scenic spots, car rentals/ride-hailing, and entertainment venues. As a result, I selected the most representative 3 users and 2 stakeholders for interviews.
After the interview, and collect all the information I found, I identified the following areas that have significant gap between users/stakeholder’s needs and current products, which create great potential for further development.
From interview, most traveler would like to create a complete new itinerary that fits their needs instead of just using other’s plan.
Some traveler may create traveling plan even just one night before the trip, therefore, they need the planning process to be quick.
During the trip, some unexpected accident may happen, which may cause delay and force travelers to change their following plan.
Different users may have completely different focus areas(like budget, accommodation, etc.) on trip and prioritize them in a different order.
Most of users tend to finish all the preparation on just on app or platform instead of switching in between.
Choosing hotels can be hard for most of users as they need to balance different aspects like budget, location, facilities etc.
PART 2
MARKET ANALYSIS
To further analyze the current market and potential competitors, I conducted research on both travel and map apps, and finally selected the following four apps as the most representative for deeper analysis.
Mafengwo
Advantages
Rich user-generated content
Community interaction
Personalized recommendation
Disadvantages
Information overload
Too much advertising
Lack of personalized function
C-Trip
Advantages
Comprehensive service
Reputation and trustable
A lot of real user comments
Disadvantages
Complex interface
Less personalized itinerary planning
Lack of personalized function
qunawang
Advantages
Price comparison
Wide range of functions
Easy-to-use search function
Disadvantages
A lot of advertisements
Lack of in-depth content
Lack of itinerary planning
Baidu Map
Advantages
Integrated into map
Search engine integration
Rich geographic information
Disadvantages
Lack of deep personalization
Poor itinerary planning experience
Limited functions inside the app
Our analysis indicates that most of travel tools focus on providing comprehensive functions, such as hotel bookings, ticket reservations, and dining options. These features offer users convenient one-stop solutions, eliminating the need to switch between different apps.
However, these platforms offer limited personalization. For example, Tuniu offers "products" that bundle hotels, transport, and tickets, simplifying logistics for users. Ctrip, on the other hand, lets travelers share itineraries on their community platfom for others to use as templates or adopt wholesale.
PART 3
PERSONAS & JOURNEY MAP
PART 4
IDENTIFYING PROBLEM
Problem
HMW
PART 5
DEVELOPMENT
Based on the core needs of users, and the confect between efficiency and personalization, I developed following 3 core flows that directly focus on users’ pain point. As a result, the complex planning process now becomes streamlined, intuitive, and highly customizable.
Creating a New Customized Itinerary
Creating a Quick Itinerary
Dynamic Rearranging
PART 6
DESIGN
I have carefully chosen the following three keywords that I believe most accurately convey the overall feeling of traveling.
In this app, I want to create an atmosphere of sunshine, adventure, and comfortable relaxation, while evoking elements of natural scenery such as sunsets, autumn leaves, and deserts.
Based on the keywords and the scene I chose for this app, I developed a comprehensive, cohesive, and visually engaging design system and components that effectively aligns with the intended user experience.
Over 80 screens were designed based on design system to thoroughly complete the user interaction flow for the main features, creating a cohesive and comprehensive user experience.
