Sesa
Field
UI/UX, Transportation
Design, Interior Design
Duration
10 Months
Thesis 2024-2025
Electric Vehicle, Cloud connectivity, Transport
OVERVIEW
Brief
Challenge
How Might we improve transportation between Rural and Urban areas for individuals living in villages in Ghana?
Opportunity
Develop a compact, eco‑friendly transport solution that leverages sustainable materials and smart connectivity to empower remote communities and foster local economic growth.
Tools used
OVERVIEW
Background
Despite rapid infrastructure investment in Ghana’s urban hubs, rural communities remain isolated by poorly maintained or nonexistent roads. This disparity limits access to education, healthcare, and markets, reinforcing social and economic inequalities. There is an urgent need for a compact, durable personal transport solution that can reliably navigate off‑road terrain, withstand harsh conditions, and reconnect villages with essential services and economic opportunities.
TIMELINE
Process
Research
Problem Definition
Rural Ghanaian communities face a deepening mobility crisis: despite rapid urban infrastructure investments—440 new buses slated for delivery to Accra each year through 2027—villages remain cut off by unpaved, seasonally impassable roads and scant public transit. With an average household size of 3.8 people and a median age of just 21, families depend heavily on shared “Tro‑Tros” (accounting for 60 percent of Accra’s short‑haul trips) or motorcycles, both of which struggle with stability, safety, and capacity when navigating rocky village paths.
This transport gap not only limits access to schools, clinics, and markets but also entrenches social and economic inequality, as rural residents pay disproportionately high costs—often negotiated per trip—for unreliable service. The data underscore an urgent need for a compact, low‑cost vehicle that can carry families and cargo across rough terrain year‑round, reconnecting isolated villages to essential services and economic opportunity.
RESEARCH
Existing Competitors
Despite rapid infrastructure investment in Ghana’s urban hubs, rural communities remain isolated by poorly maintained or nonexistent roads. This disparity limits access to education, healthcare, and markets, reinforcing social and economic inequalities. There is an urgent need for a compact, durable personal transport solution that can reliably navigate off‑road terrain, withstand harsh conditions, and reconnect villages with essential services and economic opportunities.
Tro-Tro
The most popular form of public transportation, they act as mini vans with the capacity to carry 12-20 people.
Disadvantages: size makes difficult, and at times dangerous to navigate certain areas
Motorcycle
Typically seen in rural areas, motorbikes are can be seen used off road and navigating between busy streets in Accra and Kumasi.
Disadvantages: Although easily mobile, the can only carry 1-2 people
Taxis/Cars
Used in more urban areas of Ghana, depending on the level of development in certain areas, cars can be used to traverse rural areas
Disadvantages: similar to the tro tros, traversing offroad areas may be difficult, especially for more larger vehicles
Public Transport
Similar to Tro-Tros, Many individuals use Public transport for long distant travel, being able to carry 30-40 people
Disadvantages: Less flexible routing, Potential for driver fatigue on long routes, Limited emergency exit options.
USER PROFILE
User Persona
With the main focus being villages in Ghana, I decided to based my ideal user based off Kumasi, (where my parents come from). with the main family size being around 3-4 people, the ideal user will most likely be a parent, with 1- 2 kids, withe their occupation being centered around manual work. the user persona helped me compile the gains, pain points, and current needs.
Kwame Owusu
Warehouse Worker
He/Him
30
Kumasi, Ghana
Goals
To consistently arrive at work on time, reduce his dependence on unreliable public transport, and improve his family’s ability to travel safely and conveniently within and between rural areas.
Hmm.. I need something more compact too..
Needs
Reliable, affordable personal transport.
Suitable for rough, rural terrain
Can accommodate a small family
Pains
Delays and overcrowding on morning Tro-Tro commutes
Unreliable transport schedule affects work punctuality
Difficult to travel with family or carry goods on rough roads
Ugh, i wont make it in time..
USER PROFILE
User Journey map
The preliminary journey map outlines Kwame’s imagined trip from his village outside Kumasi to a wedding in Accra, detailing stages of planning, departure, transit, and arrival. It captures his anticipated feelings (excitement planning the trip, concern over road quality), thoughts (selecting the best route, ensuring family comfort), and actions (researching transport options, preparing luggage, and mentally bracing for rough terrain). By visualizing these emotions and decision points ahead of the final design, the map highlights critical touchpoints—like seamless booking, comfortable seating, and terrain‑adaptive features—that guided the development of a more intuitive, user‑centered solution.
Kwame Owusu
Scenario: Brother is getting married, Kwame and his family need to commute to Accra for the wedding.
Planning
Prepares to go to Brother’s wedding, involves Communicating with family, doing choirs, organizing commute
Task 1
Getting cleaning up and cleaning house, includes cleaning up rooms, cosmetic care, etc.
Task 2
Getting dressed in order to head to venue, this includes ironing, cosmetic care, etc
Task 3
Packing up foods, and utensils into vehicle, includes adjusting seating to fit cargo
Task 4
Getting ready to leave for wedding, includes prepare route with least traffic
User Actions: Communicating with family members for any updates, getting ready, getting family organized.
User Thoughts: "big day tomorrow, I should reach our and make sure all the details are correct"
User Actions: Getting up, brushing teeth, taking a shower. Cleaning up room, cleaning house with family members
User Thoughts: "alright let me get up", "its best I clean my room now", “I hope that everyone is on track as well”
User Actions: Getting ready, and making sure everything checks out. Getting ready, making sure family members are dressed accordingly.
User Thoughts: "Ok let me iron my shirt, quickly, time is of the essence", "ok let me make sure that the rental is ready, should save us some time"
User Actions: Collecting all the platers for the event, adjusting seats to fit food in the back, making sure that nothing spills over.
User Thoughts: "ok there's about 5 of us, so how can I arrange this so we can all fit with the food?"
User Actions: Finding parking, finding best route for the least amount of traffic.
User Thoughts: "oh man, its showing that there is some traffic up ahead", “parking nest to the exit would be ideal”
IDEATION
MoodBoard
For the mood board, I drew inspiration from a mix of futuristic mobility concepts and practical off-road vehicles to guide the aesthetic direction of my design. I focused on clean, geometric lines to suggest modernity and simplicity, while incorporating protective shell elements that communicate safety and weather resistance. I was also drawn to exposed mechanical components seen in performance motorcycles, which highlight technical capability. By integrating contrasting materials like metallic finishes and transparent panels, I aimed to balance visual lightness with structural durability—creating a look that feels both advanced and appropriate for rural Ghana.
IDEATION
Sketches
The preliminary journey map outlines Kwame’s imagined trip from his village outside Kumasi to a wedding in Accra, detailing stages of planning, departure, transit, and arrival. It captures his anticipated feelings (excitement planning the trip, concern over road quality), thoughts (selecting the best route, ensuring family comfort), and actions (researching transport options, preparing luggage, and mentally bracing for rough terrain). By visualizing these emotions and decision points ahead of the final design, the map highlights critical touchpoints—like seamless booking, comfortable seating, and terrain‑adaptive features—that guided the development of a more intuitive, user‑centered solution.
IDEATION
1:1 Mockups
With a clear design direction established through the mood board and ideation sketches, I created mockups to visualize how the vehicle would appear in real time. Building 1:1 scale models allowed me to identify and resolve design issues—such as inaccurate sizing and component placement—including the gear shift mechanism, main body proportions, and overhead roof structure. This hands-on process was essential in refining both the form and functionality of the final design.
IDEATION
Model Fabrication
With a better understanding of the adjustments needed from the 1:1 scale model, I used tools like SolidWorks and Photoshop to develop and refine the design further. A key focus was maintaining a compact yet smoothly curved surface, which proved challenging at times—especially when improper surface order led to structural or functional issues. To overcome this, I used techniques such as surface knitting, scaling, revolved surfacing, and extruded surfaces to create clean, continuous geometry while preserving design intent.
Once finalized, the components were scaled down to 1:8 scale, with PLA plastic selected as the primary material for prototyping.
FINAL DESIGN
Finalized Design
The final design of Sesa represents my response to the transportation challenges faced by rural communities in Ghana. Through a process of user research, ergonomic analysis, and iterative prototyping, I developed a compact, enclosed vehicle made from natural fiber composites and recycled metals to balance sustainability with durability. I focused on integrating features like adjustable seating for user comfort, an adaptive suspension system to handle rough terrain, and cloud connectivity to enable remote access and diagnostics. These decisions were shaped by my goal to create a functional, accessible, and community-driven mobility solution. Using CAD modeling and scaled prototypes, I was able to test the design’s feasibility and ensure it could meet real-world needs effectively.
FINAL DESIGN
How It works
1
Open Sesa app
Open the Sesa app tha begin signing up.
2
Book trip
Book Trip for any amount of days and chose nearest location to pick up.
3
Begin Onboarding
Once picked up, begin onboarding, which includes Directional services, Maintenance, Mobile connection, and more.
4
Start Trip
Once you’re ready to go, you can start your trip!
FINAL DESIGN
Final 1:1 Model
More Work
