Designing an EV Instrument Cluster interface using UCD process
EV Instrument Cluster - UX/UI Design
What is the project about?
An electric-powered scooter which features a digital 5-inch cluster dashboard with interactive features. The cluster can be connected to the user’s smartphone via Bluetooth through an app.
The need of the hour was to create the right interface that would be both interactive and user friendly.
Business challenge
Client approached us with a set of features they planned to promote on the vehicle’s cluster instrument. We undertook design thinking activities to define users, various scenarios, usability gaps, best practices to arrive at a design solution.
Goal of the project
To provide an interactive experience to the user who drives two-wheelers
To disrupt the segment with advanced cluster instruments which provides value added services like call/message alerts, maps navigation, weather updates etc.
Tools
Axure RP
Adobe Photoshop
MS Office
Team
1 UX Lead (me)
1 UI Lead
1 UI Designer
1 Project Manager
Project Lead (Client)
Engineers (Client)
My Role
Discover User Profiles
Defining Scenarios
Conduct User Interviews & Card Sorting
Feature List & Information Architecture
Competitive Benchmarking
High-Fidelity Wireframes
Aid in Visual Design
Timeline
Overall: 6+ weeks
Discovery & Research: 1 week
Design iterations: 4 weeks
Client workshop: 1 week
User-Centered Design Process
Empathize
Conducting a guerrilla research study with two-wheeler riders & owners helped us define the broader User Profiles & Personas along with multiple scenarios. To begin, broadly four user profiles and we talked to users where they talked about certain data points which they monitor whilst riding two-wheelers.
Define
We defined 4 broad scenarios where users perform certain actions. It focused on various stages and documented the goals by which the user might use a design.
To priortize the important data points on the cluster instrument, user research was an essential activity to identify real life probems and how users find solutions.
The objective is to deal with users' pain points, investigate how do they use an information and design solutions for them.
For this task, we interviewed some riders of different experience levels and asked about the primary data points they monitor while riding in different scenarios.
Additionally we undertook a closed card sorting activity to prioritize primary features.
"On long rides, I usually use my phone for navigation assistance as the roads are unknown."
"Receiving calls while riding are frustrating, but I don't want to miss an important one."
Ideate
Post the analysis of card sorting exercise, we got clarity into feature priorities and user understanding. This helped us in defining the Information Architecture (IA) for the instrument cluster. With the IA, we tried to organize content categories, e.g. segregating features into their relevant established categories.
Competitive analysis allowed us to evaluate and highlight unique features and information shown in the cluster instrument in multiple scenarios. This helped us in defining the features and interactions patterns basis the best practices.
We laid out certain guidelines and best practices which would enhance the overall experience of using the cluster instrument.
Design & Prototype
To bring our designs to life, we utilized Axure RP to create interactive prototypes that accurately simulated the user experience. Simultaneously, Adobe Photoshop was employed to craft visually appealing and high-fidelity screens. Through close collaboration with engineering and product teams, we iteratively refined both prototypes and designs based on feedback, technical constraints, and user testing results. This collaborative approach ensured that the final product aligned with both user needs and business objectives.
Test & Iterate
We collaborated with the project leads and engineers to workshop the designs and usability testing of the desings on the production ready vehicle.
"We need a way to inform users about the regenerative braking that charges the battery on the go."
"The instrument cluster is clear and easy to read, even at night."
Design in action
To give a clear and compelling overview of the design, here are some promo snippets showcasing key screens and interactions. These visual representations highlights the core functionalities and user flows. These screens were featured in the launch video commercial of the EV.
