Exploring Interaction Design Perspectives on Heavy Vehicles

Interaction design is more crucial than ever as an ingredient in product development and digitalization. Its need is driven by a trend where software based functionality is becoming increasingly important in all types of product features, simultaneously as new technology moves the frontier where interaction between human and computer takes place. There is also a market demanding renewed experiences, more efficient, stimulating and fashionable, which enterprises seek to deliver to attract customers. Also[WM1] , as systems, for example vehicle systems, get increasingly information intense, the information exchange with the user becomes a factor for safe and successful operation, thus increasing the need for a proficient interaction design.This research investigates how interaction technologies, interaction design principles, and machine information systems can be used to provide user experiences and efficient interaction between the operator and industrial mobile machines; for example, agricultural machines and construction machines. The research combines software engineering and interaction design together with an industrial perspective. It does so by studies, both in literature and through field studies of operators, by design exploration and prototype realization.The thesis describes the design space for heavy vehicles through different perspectives. It outlines the principal dimensions of interaction design and the benefits of including design in product and services realization. It presents perspectives on the challenges for the different stakeholders involved, covering the operator of the machines, the software engineer and the designer. It depicts a method for gaining detailed insights into operator’s daily behavior, with minimal interference with their work. Furthermore, it introduces a tool for practitioners to explore interaction design using mixed reality and free head movements, and it investigates possible interfaces using augmented reality.