Product
Driver Experience Prototyping System
Role
Head of UX
Year
2014 - 2015
Keywords
UX / Prototyping / HMI / Connectivity / Voice
Volvo
Project Overview
To address the challenge of visualizing UX concepts, this project developed the Driver Experience Prototyping System for Volvo Group. Designed to simulate in-vehicle experiences, the system enabled the creation of interactive HMI prototypes using tablets to represent truck cabin displays and CAN/LIN data to replicate real-world scenarios.
The prototyping system supported seamless switching between design concepts and integrated technologies like voice control, gesture interaction, and third-party HTML5 applications. Emphasizing collaboration and remote accessibility, it allowed teams across locations to share, test, and refine concepts. This high-fidelity solution empowered Volvo to effectively communicate and evaluate design ideas, advancing user experiences in their truck cabins.
Project Overview
To address the challenge of visualizing UX concepts, this project developed the Driver Experience Prototyping System for Volvo Group. Designed to simulate in-vehicle experiences, the system enabled the creation of interactive HMI prototypes using tablets to represent truck cabin displays and CAN/LIN data to replicate real-world scenarios.
The prototyping system supported seamless switching between design concepts and integrated technologies like voice control, gesture interaction, and third-party HTML5 applications. Emphasizing collaboration and remote accessibility, it allowed teams across locations to share, test, and refine concepts. This high-fidelity solution empowered Volvo to effectively communicate and evaluate design ideas, advancing user experiences in their truck cabins.
The Problem
The project addressed the challenge of effectively visualizing UX design ideas for stakeholders, especially during the critical early stages of development. Traditional methods like static graphics lacked the fidelity to convey the potential of new concepts.
To solve this, a UX prototyping toolkit was developed to provide an interactive and engaging way to showcase user experiences within a truck cab. This system bridged the gap between abstract ideas and tangible interactions, helping stakeholders evaluate new interaction modes, seamless device integration, and the usability and business value of proposed designs.
The Problem
The project addressed the challenge of effectively visualizing UX design ideas for stakeholders, especially during the critical early stages of development. Traditional methods like static graphics lacked the fidelity to convey the potential of new concepts.
To solve this, a UX prototyping toolkit was developed to provide an interactive and engaging way to showcase user experiences within a truck cab. This system bridged the gap between abstract ideas and tangible interactions, helping stakeholders evaluate new interaction modes, seamless device integration, and the usability and business value of proposed designs.
The Solution
To address the challenge of visualizing UX concepts, this project developed the Driver Experience Prototyping System for Volvo Group. Designed to simulate in-vehicle experiences, the system enabled the creation of interactive HMI prototypes using tablets to represent truck cabin displays and CAN/LIN data for real-world scenario replication.
The system supported seamless switching between design concepts and integrated technologies like voice control, gesture interaction, and third-party HTML5 applications. With collaboration and remote accessibility, teams across locations could share, test, and refine concepts, empowering Volvo to communicate and evaluate design ideas effectively, advancing truck cabin user experiences.
The Solution
To address the challenge of visualizing UX concepts, this project developed the Driver Experience Prototyping System for Volvo Group. Designed to simulate in-vehicle experiences, the system enabled the creation of interactive HMI prototypes using tablets to represent truck cabin displays and CAN/LIN data for real-world scenario replication.
The system supported seamless switching between design concepts and integrated technologies like voice control, gesture interaction, and third-party HTML5 applications. With collaboration and remote accessibility, teams across locations could share, test, and refine concepts, empowering Volvo to communicate and evaluate design ideas effectively, advancing truck cabin user experiences.
The Result
The project was a collaborative effort involving multiple teams within Volvo, including Product Design, Driver Interaction & Entertainment, and Human Interaction. It aimed to establish a robust UX prototyping environment by defining technical requirements, evaluating technologies, and creating a methodology for assessing driver interface designs.
Beyond developing a prototyping tool, the project addressed broader aspects of Volvo’s HMI/UX strategy, such as safety, cost efficiency, and emerging technology integration. While specific outcomes are not detailed, the initiative likely laid the foundation for a more streamlined, user-focused approach to HMI development, enabling Volvo to design and evaluate future truck cab experiences more effectively.
The Result
The project was a collaborative effort involving multiple teams within Volvo, including Product Design, Driver Interaction & Entertainment, and Human Interaction. It aimed to establish a robust UX prototyping environment by defining technical requirements, evaluating technologies, and creating a methodology for assessing driver interface designs.
Beyond developing a prototyping tool, the project addressed broader aspects of Volvo’s HMI/UX strategy, such as safety, cost efficiency, and emerging technology integration. While specific outcomes are not detailed, the initiative likely laid the foundation for a more streamlined, user-focused approach to HMI development, enabling Volvo to design and evaluate future truck cab experiences more effectively.
HMI Development Process
The HMI development process at Volvo follows a multi-phased approach guided by the Global Development Process (GDP), a structured framework that outlines key stages and milestones for HMI projects. Each phase within the GDP involves specific activities and deliverables tailored to address various aspects of HMI design, including efficiency, distraction, acceptance, and affect. The process incorporates a range of evaluation methods and tools at different stages, allowing designers and engineers to identify and address potential usability issues early on.
The Driver Experience Prototyping System (DEPS) was designed to facilitate rapid prototyping and evaluation of HMI concepts. The DEPS enables designers to quickly create interactive prototypes that simulate the in-vehicle experience, incorporating elements like touchscreens, steering wheel controls, and even simulated CAN data. By utilizing DEPS, designers can gather early feedback from stakeholders and iterate on their designs more efficiently, ensuring that the final HMI product aligns with the usability goals set forth in the GDP.
HMI Development Process
The HMI development process at Volvo follows a multi-phased approach guided by the Global Development Process (GDP), a structured framework that outlines key stages and milestones for HMI projects. Each phase within the GDP involves specific activities and deliverables tailored to address various aspects of HMI design, including efficiency, distraction, acceptance, and affect. The process incorporates a range of evaluation methods and tools at different stages, allowing designers and engineers to identify and address potential usability issues early on.
The Driver Experience Prototyping System (DEPS) was designed to facilitate rapid prototyping and evaluation of HMI concepts. The DEPS enables designers to quickly create interactive prototypes that simulate the in-vehicle experience, incorporating elements like touchscreens, steering wheel controls, and even simulated CAN data. By utilizing DEPS, designers can gather early feedback from stakeholders and iterate on their designs more efficiently, ensuring that the final HMI product aligns with the usability goals set forth in the GDP.
Prototyping
At Volvo, prototyping played a crucial role in the HMI development process, and the Driver Experience Prototyping System (DEPS) was instrumental in this. We utilized different types of prototypes throughout the project, ranging from basic non-interactive mockups to more advanced functional prototypes within DEPS. The non-interactive prototypes, such as sketches and wireframes, helped us explore initial design concepts and gather feedback on layout and information hierarchy. As the design progressed, we moved to interactive prototypes within DEPS, which allowed us to simulate user interactions and test the flow of various features. This iterative prototyping approach, facilitated by DEPS, allowed us to refine the HMI design efficiently and effectively, ensuring a user-friendly experience in the final product.
Prototyping
At Volvo, prototyping played a crucial role in the HMI development process, and the Driver Experience Prototyping System (DEPS) was instrumental in this. We utilized different types of prototypes throughout the project, ranging from basic non-interactive mockups to more advanced functional prototypes within DEPS. The non-interactive prototypes, such as sketches and wireframes, helped us explore initial design concepts and gather feedback on layout and information hierarchy. As the design progressed, we moved to interactive prototypes within DEPS, which allowed us to simulate user interactions and test the flow of various features. This iterative prototyping approach, facilitated by DEPS, allowed us to refine the HMI design efficiently and effectively, ensuring a user-friendly experience in the final product.
Testing Platform
DEPS allowed us to create highly realistic interactive prototypes that simulate the in-vehicle experience. This realistic testing environment allows for a more accurate assessment of the HMI. For instance, we conducted user testing within DEPS, which provided valuable feedback on usability in a real-world context. We also integrated eye-tracking studies into the DEPS environment to gain insights into user interaction patterns and pinpoint areas that might cause confusion or difficulty for drivers. Additionally, we used methods like the Detection Response Task (DRT) to understand the cognitive load imposed by the HMI, particularly for features that rely heavily on auditory or tactile feedback.
By using DEPS as a platform for evaluation, we gained a more accurate understanding of how our designs perform in terms of efficiency, distraction, acceptance, and affect. This all happens long before we invest in the development of final hardware and software, allowing us to make informed design decisions and create intuitive and user-friendly HMIs that enhance the driving experience and contribute to overall vehicle safety.
Testing Platform
DEPS allowed us to create highly realistic interactive prototypes that simulate the in-vehicle experience. This realistic testing environment allows for a more accurate assessment of the HMI. For instance, we conducted user testing within DEPS, which provided valuable feedback on usability in a real-world context. We also integrated eye-tracking studies into the DEPS environment to gain insights into user interaction patterns and pinpoint areas that might cause confusion or difficulty for drivers. Additionally, we used methods like the Detection Response Task (DRT) to understand the cognitive load imposed by the HMI, particularly for features that rely heavily on auditory or tactile feedback.
By using DEPS as a platform for evaluation, we gained a more accurate understanding of how our designs perform in terms of efficiency, distraction, acceptance, and affect. This all happens long before we invest in the development of final hardware and software, allowing us to make informed design decisions and create intuitive and user-friendly HMIs that enhance the driving experience and contribute to overall vehicle safety.
Collaboration Platform
Collaboration and teamwork were essential throughout the development of the DEPS and the HMIs we designed with it.
I was part of a multidisciplinary team that included designers, engineers, product owners, and representatives from different departments within Volvo. We had regular meetings and design reviews to discuss progress, share feedback, and ensure everyone was aligned on the project goals. The "To be Reviewed by" sections within our HMI documentation highlight the collaborative nature of the process and the diverse perspectives considered during the design and evaluation of the HMIs. Importantly, we were able to gain much better alignment and richer feedback from all stakeholders because we could sit them in the DEPS and have them experience at a high-fidelity exactly what we were proposing.
This close collaboration fostered a shared understanding of user needs, technical constraints, and design possibilities, ultimately leading to a more successful outcome.
Collaboration Platform
Collaboration and teamwork were essential throughout the development of the DEPS and the HMIs we designed with it.
I was part of a multidisciplinary team that included designers, engineers, product owners, and representatives from different departments within Volvo. We had regular meetings and design reviews to discuss progress, share feedback, and ensure everyone was aligned on the project goals. The "To be Reviewed by" sections within our HMI documentation highlight the collaborative nature of the process and the diverse perspectives considered during the design and evaluation of the HMIs. Importantly, we were able to gain much better alignment and richer feedback from all stakeholders because we could sit them in the DEPS and have them experience at a high-fidelity exactly what we were proposing.
This close collaboration fostered a shared understanding of user needs, technical constraints, and design possibilities, ultimately leading to a more successful outcome.
Challenges
Developing innovative HMI solutions for a global automotive company like Volvo presented a unique set of challenges, but Volvo: Digital Experience Prototyping System
Our use of the Driver Experience Prototyping System (DEPS) helped us address key challenges in creating user-centered HMIs efficiently and effectively:
Balancing Innovation and Cost: DEPS enabled early exploration of design solutions, allowing us to evaluate features and functionality for both premium and value-oriented markets without significant development costs.
Adapting to Diverse Configurations: By simulating various truck configurations, languages, and feature sets, DEPS streamlined the design process for global markets, reducing issues later in development.
Ensuring Safety and Usability: DEPS allowed thorough testing of new features to ensure they were intuitive, met safety guidelines, and minimized driver distraction.
Challenges
Developing innovative HMI solutions for a global automotive company like Volvo presented a unique set of challenges, but Volvo: Digital Experience Prototyping System
Our use of the Driver Experience Prototyping System (DEPS) helped us address key challenges in creating user-centered HMIs efficiently and effectively:
Balancing Innovation and Cost: DEPS enabled early exploration of design solutions, allowing us to evaluate features and functionality for both premium and value-oriented markets without significant development costs.
Adapting to Diverse Configurations: By simulating various truck configurations, languages, and feature sets, DEPS streamlined the design process for global markets, reducing issues later in development.
Ensuring Safety and Usability: DEPS allowed thorough testing of new features to ensure they were intuitive, met safety guidelines, and minimized driver distraction.
My Role
Leadership: Directed a multidisciplinary team of designers, engineers, and product owners to develop and evaluate HMIs for Volvo trucks, ensuring alignment across departments and disciplines.
Advanced Prototyping: Leveraged the Driver Experience Prototyping System (DEPS) to create highly realistic interactive prototypes, enabling early validation of design concepts and reducing development costs.
User Testing Expertise: Conducted in-depth usability studies, including eye-tracking and cognitive load assessments, to optimize safety and user-friendliness.
Global Adaptability: Ensured HMI designs accommodated diverse truck configurations, languages, and global market requirements through rigorous simulation and testing.
Innovation and Cost Efficiency: Balanced cutting-edge design with cost constraints by using DEPS to evaluate features and functionality early, enabling informed decision-making.
My Role
Leadership: Directed a multidisciplinary team of designers, engineers, and product owners to develop and evaluate HMIs for Volvo trucks, ensuring alignment across departments and disciplines.
Advanced Prototyping: Leveraged the Driver Experience Prototyping System (DEPS) to create highly realistic interactive prototypes, enabling early validation of design concepts and reducing development costs.
User Testing Expertise: Conducted in-depth usability studies, including eye-tracking and cognitive load assessments, to optimize safety and user-friendliness.
Global Adaptability: Ensured HMI designs accommodated diverse truck configurations, languages, and global market requirements through rigorous simulation and testing.
Innovation and Cost Efficiency: Balanced cutting-edge design with cost constraints by using DEPS to evaluate features and functionality early, enabling informed decision-making.