Akhila’s inspiration stemmed from frustration with the current transit system. “There were so many incredible features in the CityBus app that were buried under multiple menus, making them almost impossible for users to find,” she explained. This realization sparked the idea to create an app template that could serve as a one-stop platform for accessing all transportation services in a specific locality.

 

The app template called "MySmartCity," would allow users to plan their routes seamlessly by integrating services such as CityBus, CityBus Flex, Veo ride-sharing, and other public transit options. “Right now, if you want to use different services in West Lafayette, you need separate apps for each. This project aims to consolidate everything into one,” she added.

 

With a background in mechanical engineering and a passion for human factors and UX design, Akhila's journey into app development was shaped by her exposure to design thinking. Her experience led her to pursue industrial engineering at Purdue, where she became involved with leading experts like Dr. Brandon Pitts and Dr. Vincent Duffy in human factors research.

Currently interning at Tesla, Akhila continues applying UX principles to her work, even within process engineering. “Whether it's designing work instructions for production teams or enhancing safety measures, I always approach problems with the end-user in mind,” she said.

 

In addition to the Smart City app, she has been involved in another project—Health Hacks—an application that simplifies health insurance navigation. “Health insurance is a complex and emotional subject for many people. Health Hacks aims to break down these complexities into an easily understandable format,” she explained.

 

Looking ahead, Akhila hopes to continue in UX research, with a potential interest in medical device development. Inspired by a course on human factors in medical devices, she sees an opportunity to impact healthcare through improved design and usability.

 

For now, her immediate focus is on refining her projects and making them more widely accessible. “I’m proud of the work I’ve done so far, and I hope these apps can make a difference in people’s lives,” she concluded.