The team
Client
Management interface for robot Pixel
Deadlines
Mar 13 2023 – Jun 2 2023
Merkator Holding
UX/UI design: Gosha;
Mobile development: Pasha.
Mobile development: Pasha.
Merkator Holding developed a self-driving electro machine Pixel for street cleaning. The robot calculates movement trajectory, avoids obstacles and controls brushes. We were asked to develop one of the options for convenient and clear interface for manual control of the robot.
The task
First, we did our own UX-research to understand how this task was fulfilled for other objects. We studied the remotes of radio-controlled cars and game interfaces of racing simulators. It helped us to realize better the drivers' needs and their approach to driving. It was important for us to create an interface, which is easy to use without lots of instructions. In our view, the user opens the app and understands instantly which button to press, what each indicator is responsible for.
The main struggle was to avoid the overload on the screen. The robot can do plenty of things so it’s important to provide users with full access to all control options without switching between screens. Moreover, essential indicators should be placed there: the state, charge level, speed, etc.
The solution
To solve the task we:
- Took the design of electro cars control panel which is familiar for drivers;
- Zoned the screen, considering the empty areas, in order not to overload the screen;
- Thought of different ways of controlling robot’s wheels and brushes;
- Designed visual elements to send robot’s state — charge level, speed, temperature, status, etc.
After the project’s realization, on a completed app we checked the accuracy of our hypotheses: we asked the client to test the remote in a factory shop by connecting the robot. It helped us to optimize the app and fix several mistakes. For example, in the first version, to control the robot users had to turn the virtual steering wheel, it turned out to be inconvenient. That’s why we changed the wheel into a slider, by moving it users can direct robot’s movement.
The developed interface allows controlling several robots at the same time, by switching between them. The user can set the movement trajectory, regulate the work of brushes, check the charge level of the robot and bring it back to the base.
The result
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