Kymco - AK550
Heavy Motorcycle EV Charging Dashboard User Interface
Project Highlight.
As the UX designer for the Kymco AK550 Heavy Motorcycle EV Charging Dashboard User Interface project, I spearheaded the creation of an intuitive, user-centric interface that streamlines the charging process for riders. Through meticulous user research integration, I ensured the interface's design met the diverse needs of motorcycle enthusiasts. With a focus on accessibility and real-time data visualization, I crafted a seamless and engaging experience that allows riders to effortlessly monitor battery status, charging progress, and performance metrics while riding. By employing an iterative design process and ensuring cross-platform compatibility, I facilitated the seamless integration of the interface with the motorcycle's systems, resulting in a cohesive, functional, and visually captivating user experience.
1
Discover Desktop Research User Interview
2
Define Persona User Journey Map
3
Ideate Brianstorm Value Proposition
4
Prototype Paper Wireframe Lo-fi Prototype
Timeline: Aug - Oct 2021
My Role: Competitor Analysis, User Interview, Questionnaire, Persona, UX Research, UI Design
Team: Noodoe UIUX Team
Tools: Figma, Adobe AfterEffect
Platform : iOS, Android
5
Test Usability Test Heuristics Evaluation
6
Product Lunch Final Design Success Metrics
Overview
The Story
The Kymco Ak 550 stands out as an exemplary EV charging model crafted by our motorcycle company. In a strategic collaboration with Noodoe Charging, we embarked on a joint endeavor to co-design not only the charging system but also the EV motorbike dashboard. This partnership aimed to enhance the overall charging experience, encompassing both digital interfaces and physical components.
Challenge: To understand user requirements of the user needs to create a simplified dashboard user interface and to understand the user design principles to plan the project.
Discover
Over the past couple of years, there's been a remarkable evolution in motorcycle instrument clusters. They've shifted from the familiar dials and LCD screens to TFT displays akin to those found in cars. This transition has empowered bike makers and designers to harness the full potential of each pixel, color spectrum, and dynamic feature available—riding the wave of current design trends.
The emergence of 'featuritis,' a term encompassing the tendency to overload displays with excessive data, is becoming increasingly prevalent not just in automotive interfaces but also seeping into the realm of motorcycles. Despite the freedom granted by these advanced screens, there's a reluctance to diverge from standardized conventions.
Various companies have come with different dashboard features in their scooty models. Here are some of the examples and comparative studies of different brands and their dashboards.
Analog dashboards
Features: All the above dashboards have an analog-type dashboard which consists of a Speedometer, odometer, Time, Headlight indicator, Fuel indicator, Light indicator features.
Digital Dashboards
Features: Odometer, Speedometer, Park assist, Battery level, remote diagnostic, sidelight indicators, Bluetooth, incoming call notifications, average speed, helmet notification, side stand notification, message notification, unexpected overheating, overexposure to sunlight
The traditional motorcycle ecosystem cannot provide riders with user-friendly features and a user experience matching riding behavior.
AFFINITY DIAGRAM
This affinity diagram of user interview clarified our focus on revising the content discovery, participation and podcast-like information integration.
DEFINE
Persona
User Journey Map
water-resistant/dustproof
Bluetooth
Easy navigational features
Dark theme
Saving drivers license on the dashboard
Updated features
Music
Design Principles: clean, contextual and glanceable
Key element 1: Clean and adaptive insights — reduced clutter
BRAINSTROM
We have used the principle of ‘adaptive hierarchy’ to fundamentally relook at all the tell tales and the information presented on screen. The motorcycles ignition kicks off the startup for the interface and also a systems check which then flows into a clean uncluttered interface. The tell tales such as engine health lights remain lit if there is an issue or fades away to the fuel range and gear indicator if everything is okay.
Our goal was to keep the most important highlights at the forefront, for the everyday rider. But that does not mean they will not be able to see details — which will be just under one layer of interaction.
All motorcycle displays — digital or analogue, show the speed even when that speed is 0. With the kickstand down and gear in neutral, the rider does not need to be told that the bike is stationary. We have decided to use this scenario edge case to display something the rider would find useful. By displaying the bikes range above all else, the rider can now decide if the countryside is the first stop on their journey or the petrol station.
Connectivity Is Key: Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and Beyond
Key element 2: Contextual and connected information
BRAINSTROM
Based on the above discoveries, we brainstormed some potential features that can solve the pain points.
Our first step in working on the cluster was to think deeply about connectivity and all the contextual information that can be offered to a rider.
It goes against traditional methods of design where ‘all’ information is laid out on screen, instead we are asking the question — ‘when is the information important to be seen?’ This can be both automated based on machine learning meted out to the machine or customisable by the rider manually themselves.
Both approaches are appropriate when used correctly and here are a few examples when we can use automated decision making to keep the rider informed and safe when something is wrong — only on a need to know basis keeping safety first and foremost in mind.
Optimize Feature Density to Simplify User Experience
Case study: Tap to Charge
BRAINSTROM
When users find their motorcycle is low on power, they need to go to a charging station to charge their motorcycle. So the user wants to find an available charging station nearby to charge their electric motorcycle. The user follows the navigation to the charging station to charge the motorcycle, at which point the user can go to a nearby place to relax while checking the charging process through the app.
How Might We
add new features on Clubhouse
to help audience that are looking for insights
into certain topic gain knowledge and
information more efficiently?
Physical control or touchscreen?
Physical Controls in a Vertical Operating System:
Tactile Interface: Emphasizing physical controls ensures that riders have tangible buttons, knobs, or switches for making adjustments. This tactile feedback is essential for riders to quickly and safely navigate the dashboard without visual distraction.
Customization for Bikes: Different bike models often have their unique layout of physical controls. Leveraging this, a vertical operating system can efficiently organize these controls in an ergonomic manner, taking into account the rider's reach and comfort.
Safety Priority: In high-speed situations, physical controls provide a more immediate response without requiring the rider's visual attention. This enhances safety, allowing riders to make necessary adjustments without taking their eyes off the road.
Ease of Use: By arranging controls in a vertical layout, critical functions can be placed within easy reach and in a logical sequence. This layout minimizes the effort needed for riders to find and operate essential features while riding.
Adaptability to Environmental Conditions: Physical controls tend to be more reliable in adverse weather conditions, such as rain or cold, where touchscreens might be less responsive or challenging to use.
USABILITY TEST
After developed the first version of low-fi prototype, we conducted an exhaustive usability test, and the findings were significant helpful.
USABILITY TEST
After developed the first version of low-fi prototype, we conducted an exhaustive usability test, and the findings were significant helpful.
After developed the first version of low-fi prototype, we conducted an exhaustive usability test, and the findings were significant helpful.
After developed the first version of low-fi prototype, we conducted an exhaustive usability test, and the findings were significant helpful.
ITERATION
Hallway:
Find the suitable room
5/6 participants had never started a room and seldom chat with people in the backchannel. They use Calender and Saved more.
5/6 participants had never started a room and seldom chat with people in the backchannel. They use Calender and Saved more.
3/6 participants canont find the AI summaried viewpoints. We decided to add Onboarding instructions and make the interaction more straight-foward.
ITERATION
Hallway:
Find the suitable room
5/6 participants had never started a room and seldom chat with people in the backchannel. They use Calender and Saved more.
5/6 participants had never started a room and seldom chat with people in the backchannel. They use Calender and Saved more.
3/6 participants canont find the AI summaried viewpoints. We decided to add Onboarding instructions and make the interaction more straight-foward.
Final
Design
Ongoing & Upcoming Events
Cards can be sorted in the “Ongoing” session. “Upcoming” displays all rooms with people you’ve followed. “Events” only show rooms that you subscribed; if you’ll be a speaker, the card turns into green.
Ongoing & Upcoming Events
Cards can be sorted in the “Ongoing” session. “Upcoming” displays all rooms with people you’ve followed. “Events” only show rooms that you subscribed; if you’ll be a speaker, the card turns into green.
Ongoing & Upcoming Events
Cards can be sorted in the “Ongoing” session. “Upcoming” displays all rooms with people you’ve followed. “Events” only show rooms that you subscribed; if you’ll be a speaker, the card turns into green.
Ongoing & Upcoming Events
Cards can be sorted in the “Ongoing” session. “Upcoming” displays all rooms with people you’ve followed. “Events” only show rooms that you subscribed; if you’ll be a speaker, the card turns into green.
Reflection
Embarking on my first end-to-end UX project at Noodoe marked a transformative journey, particularly during the crucial research phase. This pivotal stage illuminated the intricate landscape of safety and user experience requirements when designing a dashboard tailored for motorcyclists. Collaborating closely with researchers, we delved into the nuanced realm of safety considerations, meticulously analyzing how environmental factors impacted user interactions. Understanding the significance of font size, color contrasts, and brightness levels under varying light conditions was a revelation, shaping our design approach profoundly.
Moreover, our interactions with engineers unveiled a pragmatic understanding of the tangible implications of design choices. Evaluating the efficacy of physical buttons and comprehending their influence on user experience within the context of motorcycle usage was enlightening. This phase wasn’t just about data collection; it was a holistic immersion into the unique challenges faced by motorcyclists. Our research became the bedrock upon which our design strategy was built, ensuring that every aspect of the dashboard catered not just to usability but also to safety concerns in diverse environmental settings.
The synthesis of our research journey was profound. It wasn’t merely a gathering of insights; it was a cohesive understanding of the intricate needs and challenges encountered by motorcyclists. This comprehension became the driving force behind our design decisions, fostering a user-centric approach that aimed to address safety, usability, and the distinctive demands of this specialized user group.