An Autonomous
automotive experience
User Experience / User Interface Design
Project Brief
With technology that’s constantly advancing, it’s possible that self-driving vehicles might just one day become our norm. The only question is whether or not they are actually reliable. Although having a self-driving car may sound like never having to drive again, that’s actually not true. Believe it or not, one hand must still always remain on the wheel. You might be asking, “So what’s the point?”. Although self-driving vehicles have gifted drivers with a bit more freedom, they still have room for development. As UX/UI designers, it is our job to enhance user experience by creating an interface that tackles all their basic needs so they can sit back and relax!
Sample Car Research
In order to effectively tackle this project, I deconstructed the UI flow of existing cars such as the Tesla Model S 2020 and the 2018 Hyundai Sonata to see what was working and what wasn’t. Besides the fact that one was an autonomous automotive while the other was not, I noticed a major difference in the variety of features. By creating a flowchart for both vehicles, I was able to provide a solution to enhance user experience and fulfill major necessities through new features that are unlike any other.
ASSET INVENTORY
To further my research, I then decided to look into the Tesla Model 3 and broke down the basic components and structure of it’s interface. After identifying the color palette and pulling samples from the iconography and button design, I was able to understand how these different elements worked together as a system. Having a design system will definitely play a big role when forming the user flow.
USER RESEARCH
After understanding the deconstruction and assets on existing car interfaces, I needed to determine who my target audience was. In order to do this, I created a survey that was sent out to a wide audience ranging from different age groups to identify and basic needs and pain points that some may have. Doing this will help me get an idea of what I want to focus on.
USER Persona + Journey Map
Based on the research that I found, I was able to determine that most people prioritize entertainment, easy accessibility, and voice recognition. Many use the time that they spend in their car to relax and catch up on tasks they had missed throughout their busy schedules. Creating an enjoyable environment for a user’s car journey can really make an impact on their day to day life, especially since driving is a daily necessity for most and can sometimes lead to stressful situations. With that said, I then created a user persona as well as a user journey map to break down possible scenarios users may endure.
DESIGN Process + Prototype
Once I had finished my research and determined who my target audience was, I made design explorations through various sketches and created a flowchart based on my discoveries. My sketches continued to evolve as I began wireframing and designing out my prototype to fit better with my user needs, such as having a tidy screen and easy access to their favorite apps. I also created new features to assist with any pain points. My key objectives are to assist, create easy accessibility, and be personalized towards the user.
Solutions
My solution for this project is to create a very simple and clean interface with an emphasis on the user’s favorite features. It is designed so that all their necessities are easily accessible and will assist in minimizing common struggles that they may experience during their trip.
