Case Study: Ebbon Intelligence

Automotive & mobility

B2B

From paper forms to AI-powered inspections in 6 weeks

Client

Ebbon Intelligence

Model

Partnership

services

Product strategy

UX/UI design

User research

Rapid prototyping

Proposition testing

info

Fleet operators lose millions annually due to disputed damage claims and inefficient inspection processes. Ebbon Group saw an opportunity to transform this broken system through AI-powered technology, requiring rapid validation and deployment to capture first-mover advantage in a traditional industry resistant to change.

challenge

35% of vehicle returns result in a conflict, and fleet operators face average losses of £270 per disputed damage claim. Anything less than flawless accuracy in damage detection carries real cost. Yet AI solutions require extensive testing and iteration. How do you validate a proposition that must be perfect before deployment without risking financial disputes?

our analysis

Scenarios like this require creative testing to validate user workflows, adoption patterns, and accuracy requirements before committing to full technical development. In other words, fake it. Mimicking an AI with clever prototypes would enable rapid validation of critical assumptions and market confidence in the solution's viability, before a single line of code is written.

what we did

01. Market validation from multiple evidence sources

Combined expert interviews with competitor research and direct customer conversations with corporate fleet managers. We used different research methods to validate market demand more quickly while identifying the technical and adoption challenges that needed solving.

01. Market validation from multiple evidence sources

02. Real-world testing for practical constraints

Hands-on trials with nine vehicles in low-light conditions to address fleet managers' biggest concern about photo quality after dark. Proved that standard mobile cameras could capture enough detail for damage detection while identifying practical instructions drivers would need to work safely.

02. Real-world testing for practical constraints

03. Customer Jobs-to-be-Done mapping

Built detailed profiles of corporate managers and drivers, mapping their specific jobs and pains. Drafted service blueprints showing user journeys, system touch points, and highlighted critical moments where the solution might succeed or fail.

03. Customer Jobs-to-be-Done mapping

04. Tangible concept development

Built complete DamageCheck brand and designed realistic mobile and desktop applications showing the full inspection process. Used video production tricks to create realistic demonstrations of the interface working with real vehicles to make the concept concrete for customer validation.

04. Tangible concept development

05. Evidence-based development strategy

Documented all evidence and findings in a research repository, ranking next development steps by evidence quality. Used rapid iteration methods during customer interviews to maximise learning from each conversation.

05. Evidence-based development strategy

project impact

Validated market demand

Established direct pathway to purchase with target customers and commitment from all participants for follow-up demonstrations.

Validated market demand

Established direct pathway to purchase with target customers and commitment from all participants for follow-up demonstrations.

Validated market demand

Established direct pathway to purchase with target customers and commitment from all participants for follow-up demonstrations.

De-risked product development

Identified critical technical barriers to address before market entry, preventing costly development of unviable solutions.

De-risked product development

Identified critical technical barriers to address before market entry, preventing costly development of unviable solutions.

De-risked product development

Identified critical technical barriers to address before market entry, preventing costly development of unviable solutions.

Blueprint for market entry

Realistic prototypes and a rollout strategy created a clear roadmap for which assumptions to develop and test now, next and later.

Blueprint for market entry

Realistic prototypes and a rollout strategy created a clear roadmap for which assumptions to develop and test now, next and later.

Blueprint for market entry

Realistic prototypes and a rollout strategy created a clear roadmap for which assumptions to develop and test now, next and later.

Test products that must work perfectly from day one

Customers expect perfection from day one, yet perfection requires testing. This validation paradox leads to wasted development or missed opportunities. Our evidence-based methodology helps you test critical assumptions early using realistic prototypes and systematic customer validation, proving viability before full investment. Ready to validate your next product idea before building it?

Lets start a project