Digital Analysis

We are creating an enhanced mobile application for the Philadelphia Zoo. Previously, in 2016, the Zoo created an app that was unresponsive for the public user. The app struggled doing the following procedures:

• • Zoo members could not either sign in with their credentials
  • Users struggled navigating through its map
  • The app would overall crash randomly

Eventually, the app was removed from Apple’s App Store and remains unresponsive on Android’s Google Play with a rating of 1.9/5 stars. Our solution is to create an application that is not only responsive, but simplifies the mobile experience for the user in mind while simultaneously creating one-of-a-kind experiences for zoo visitors.

Overall Architecture

Our solution is to create a new application, promptly named The Philadelphia Zoo App, which will improve on the current app’s main issues. The new app will be fully native to all mobile devices, both Android OS and Apple iOS.

Our application begins with a greeting from the Philadelphia Zoo, alongside 3 menu options: “Buy Tickets” & “Sign-Up for the app” & “Sign in to the app”. We created a flow chart that shows all the interactions that a user can face until they reach to either the public or member version of the app. 

• https://xd.adobe.com/view/601ccf47-f196-48c6-9f36-a6482ab314f2-354f/

The features for both spectrums will be explained below:

How does it work? 

• The app will be for the public and will have an upgraded version for those who are members of the zoo.
• The public version will have the following features:
  • Digital map of the zoo that shows locations of animals, exhibits, restrooms, gift shops, and food areas 
  • Events calendar
  • 24/7 video stream of areas around the Zoo360 trail
    • We will give users a couple options for the 24/7 streams. We would like to give them a “taste” of how the members’ version will be, which would have more options and features
  • Operating Hours
• The member version will have the following features:
  • Interactive map; shows where the user is in relation to their destination
    • Geolocation notifications of nearby animals 
    • Guides the user where to go if they click on an animal they wish to visit
    • Shows where other family accounts are based on geolocation
  • Events Calendar
    • Monthly activity schedule for all events.
    • Within this monthly schedule highlight it will feature: activities exclusively for members (i.e. members with kids can enjoy a 90 minute Saturday afternoon Zoo class with one of the Zoo vets to learn more about animals in the wild), season-long events (such as LumiNature, etc.), shows and feeding times, along with push notifications enabled for events that were checked off on the schedule list.
  • Exclusive 24/7 streaming videos of animals 
    • Examples of streaming locations can be an animal’s habitat base or a viewing of one of the new baby animals.
      • The members’ version will have more animals to view
    • As told before, the public will have a limited amount of animals to view, while members can have access to all animals and cameras.
  • Gamification features
    • Certain number of visits can give members prizes ranging from enamel pins to tickets for attractions
    • A Zoo360-related scavenger hunt
      • Social media posts will have riddles relating to animals. The user must find the animal exhibit and the QR code in time to get a prize
    • Virtual Passport
      • Users have to take pictures of certain animals within a certain amount of time to obtain a prize
  • AR Technology
    • Users can go to certain locations at the zoo that have specific QR Codes that can be scanned. Once taken, these codes can show users what the zoo used to look like in the past.
    • Intention is to bring nostalgia to older visitors while giving younger audiences a new look of how the zoo used to be
      • Example of this would be the current KidZooU area was once the Elephant Exhibit. Another would be how the current cheetah exhibit was once a wolves exhibit.

• • Digital and physical zoo keys
    • Have machines/kiosks throughout the zoo that once connected via NFC, can allow a digital zoo key to be played
    • The zoo keys can be earned by visiting the zoo a number or times or finding the QR code that is based on a riddle from one a social media post

• • Multiple Accounts
    • Allow members to give out 3 codes to other users in which they can download and view the app with the members’ perks 
      • Similar to streaming sites like Netflix, members will have to pay more if they want more accounts to the app
    • Members can locate where these accounts are throughout the zoo via geolocation

• Add Wi-Fi towers and charging stations throughout the zoo with partnerships via Xfinity and/or PECO that are exclusive to members only. 

• • • PECO is already a partner; which would make it easier/more likely to work with them for charging stations.
  • Our app will be battery-consuming. We are hoping that with the charging station, users will be more willing to stay in the zoo, hence a higher chance to spend money.
  • The Wi-Fi towers will give users the ability to view 24/7 streams without the worry of possibly using up their personal mobile data
    • The zoo already has Wi-Fi, but this partnership with xFinity will create goodwill for future partnerships and can possibly give the zoo a discount to its internet bill.