The Value Proposition

For long-distance train passengers travelling in their free time who are looking to socialise, SeatMatch is a social seating matching service that encourages passengers to chat with one another during the journey, whilst also suggesting a suitable area for those who wish to be left in peace.

Unlike the latest Deutsche Bahn opportunities such as quiet zones and mobile phone zones, SeatMatch actively encourages direct interaction between passengers and brings them together based on criteria they can choose themselves.

Implementation

This concept was implemented in the form of a digital web application that allows users to choose between privacy or social interaction depending on their needs. If social interaction is selected, they can take part in the matching process based on their field of work or interests, and the system will then suggest a seating area with a preview of the seats; otherwise, they can choose a seat freely, as usual.

The topic

The theme for the third semester of the Interactive Media Design study programme was ‘Interaction on the Move’. During my research into this topic, I came across a shift in experts’ thinking regarding collective mobility, such as trains: due to climate change and their space-saving nature, trains are set to become more valuable in the future.

The idea was to design an experience for users, so I focused on passengers on long-distance trains who are travelling in their free time, as they are more inclined to want to interact socially.

The idea

The idea was to organise this journey on a long-distance train in such a way that the services would provide users with an opportunity to fulfil their need for social interaction with fellow passengers. In my project, this opportunity takes the form of a matching process via a digital web application based on, amongst other things, shared interests; this is followed by the chance to sit directly alongside this matched partner on the train and thus potentially strike up a conversation during the long journey.