Daimler Truck North America (Mercedes)
AGENCY
Daimler Truck North America
DATE
2021-2022
CLIENT
Daimler Truck North America
PROJECT
Mirror Camera System
ROLE
UX Interaction Designer
Anchor Links:
Products
ICUC
This was the base product offered to the trucks mostly analog with a digital 5”x7” display. I was in charge of all UX interaction that went on in this device. I had to think through breaking issues and how a driver would be notified and need to respond to the simple set up of the truck.
ICC5
This was the premium product offered to the trucks completely digital display. Again I was in charge of all UX interaction that went on with this device. Here we bring more visual indicators to the forefront but have to limit driver distraction.
Stakeholder Alignment
Outside of the UX/UI for this product we had to align with our stakeholders. From internal engineers to outside vendors all need to be involved in order for the product to reach maximum potential for the user.
The Challenge
Parts in the visuals above: Digital Mirror Displays (DMD) inside the truck cab, ICCU and ICC5 display, Door Control Module (DCM), Steering Wheel Controls (SWC)
Once we got the needs and wants from all the stakeholders we had to start reviewing how do we make this work. Our biggest challenge was using multiple pieces of equipment for one interaction. All of these pieces were mandatory and we were unable to minimize (my initial approach was to have only the door controller and mirror displays). So in reviewing all the pieces and how they could operate I came to the conclusion for the daily needs of the user we can streamline between the DCM and the DMD and for set up which was maybe once a day or less we can run through the SWC, ICUC/ICC5, DCM, and DMD.
Testing
Once we had it the idea in place we built out a digital product to which we are able to use on a simulator and experiment with Virtual Reality. The key to this is to see if our path of solution is valid with minimal cost. In order to actually build this out on a truck cost a significant amount. Through our technology resources we can create a prototype mock up and have drivers in the similar in a fraction of the time and cost.
Below you will see the prototype mock up as well as us testing.
Digital interface Mockup
Hands on Simulator
Virtual Reality
Deliverable
Once we have sorted out the product to function and have created all use case scenarios. I will then map out the process in a blueprint for the engineer to see the process in which in needs to function. They will then allocate signals from the the internal computers to the brain of the truck knows how to process.
Conclusion
Mirror Camera System will revolutionize what we think is standard and good enough. With auto adjustment we will target blind spots reducing accidents by half. While giving a 3% fuel increase with weight reduction and aerodynamic.
Ideally I would have loved to streamline this the best way for the user. However in any situation you have many elements that could divert from the optimal path. This was a good growth opportunity to learn from outside sources and internal how to cohesively make the best product for todays market with eyes on how to continually improve it and to eventually get to that ideal version. I was also in constant communication and collaboration with entities from all over the world which just showed me the power of technology.