Design system for automated trailers
How to Trust
The Future of Towing
Objectives
Develop a hitch-less automated trailer and system with the components that constitute the driver’s experience with the technology and system.
How can we effectively broaden the user base and attract a wider demographic to adopt and use a new form of moving vehicle?
How Do you even design a hitchless
In order to design a comprehensive system that could serve a wider demographic of users. we utilized multiple forms of research (secondary, ethnographic, etc) to better understand the technology and needs of prospective users
Research
we read 35 articles on emerging technology and advancements taking place in the automotive industry. these articles covered topics such as Lidar and social context such as legislation being proposed around automated vehicles
Ethnographic
Test driving an automated vehicle gave us both first-hand experience with automated driving. We found that trust is formed between users and the vehicle with customizable features such as firmness in the steering wheel and how the car accelerates speed. These features allow for the car to drive in a way that is familiar to drivers. Drivers then, feel more open to the idea of a self-driving driving vehicle/trailer.
Interviews
We conducted research at a large box store where and spoke to an employee and a possible user. Conducting these two interviews provides insights into who exactly was using trailers in the present-day context and how we can better serve users for whom we're not currently using/renting trailers.
To better visualize our research regarding technology and the concept of hitch-less towing. we contextualized our research
and created a visual model of our proposed technological system and interface
After conducting multiple forms of research and synthesizing it to better understand our direction. we found that the key to creating a system and product that had longevity and weight was establishing trust between the user and the car/trailer. In order to do that safety features, copy, and imagery would have to help bridge the gap of distrust for possible users.
Our Design
From secondary research, we found that three key user groups were our target demographics.
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Inexperienced users who ask for help
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Inexperienced users who don't ask for help
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Experienced users who do ask for help.
Characterizing these three archetypes into proto-personas. Better served our design and established a clearer direction for our team.
Anna
Early adopter who likes the independence that comes with automated trailers.
Dan
Latent adopter who is unfamiliar with technology and hesitant to any type of change.
Adan
second level adopter who wants to stay up to date on new technology
With developing around the idea of establishing trust with prospective customers. we were able to focus our efforts to better serve the proposed audience. In order to achieve this goal we focused on overcompensating for safety features. And ensured the onboarding process would educate the user in a clear and approachable manner.
It is important to the user that they feel represented and heard. Our mission was to reach a wider audience and ensure that early adopters and hesitant users would feel secure in their decision to use automated trailers.