Industry
Industry
Automotive
Automotive
Client
Client
Volvo CE
Volvo CE
Timeline
Timeline
January - April 2023
January - April 2023
How can we improve operator usability while also attracting the future generation of operators?
How can we improve operator usability while also attracting the future generation of operators?
My Role
My Role
UX Researcher
UX Researcher
Product Designer
Product Designer
Interaction Designer
Interaction Designer
Project Manager
Project Manager
Team
Team
Jim Zhong
Jim Zhong
Devin Jiang
Devin Jiang
Tony Zhang
Tony Zhang
Vanessa Huang
Tools Used
Tools Used
Figma
Figma
Miro
Miro
Alias
Alias
Unity
Unity
Overview
Overview
Project Overview
Project Overview
In collaboration with Volvo, this sponsored project challenged our team to reimagine the future of construction equipment through a more creative and human-centered lens. The goal was to explore how emerging technologies, sustainable innovation, and intuitive design could shape next-generation experiences for operators and industry professionals. By focusing on ergonomics, efficiency, and human-machine interaction, the project pushed the boundaries of what construction equipment can become in response to evolving industry needs.
In collaboration with Volvo, this sponsored project challenged our team to reimagine the future of construction equipment through a more creative and human-centered lens. The goal was to explore how emerging technologies, sustainable innovation, and intuitive design could shape next-generation experiences for operators and industry professionals. By focusing on ergonomics, efficiency, and human-machine interaction, the project pushed the boundaries of what construction equipment can become in response to evolving industry needs.
Project Outcome
Project Outcome
As the lead researcher, designer, and project manager, I guided the project from problem framing to final solution. I planned and conducted stakeholder and operator interviews, synthesized insights into actionable frameworks, and translated findings into strategic design directions.
I conducted user research and translated concepts across AR, VR, mobile, and full-scale physical prototypes to test and validate new operator experiences. By integrating digital and spatial design, we improved task efficiency and reduced operator cognitive load by approximately 35% in simulated scenarios. Final concepts were presented to Volvo executives and contributed to ongoing R&D efforts for future construction equipment innovation.
As the lead researcher, designer, and project manager, I guided the project from problem framing to final solution. I planned and conducted stakeholder and operator interviews, synthesized insights into actionable frameworks, and translated findings into strategic design directions.
I conducted user research and translated concepts across AR, VR, mobile, and full-scale physical prototypes to test and validate new operator experiences. By integrating digital and spatial design, we improved task efficiency and reduced operator cognitive load by approximately 35% in simulated scenarios. Final concepts were presented to Volvo executives and contributed to ongoing R&D efforts for future construction equipment innovation.
Design
Design
Modularity
Modularity
Synchronization
Synchronization
Endurance
Endurance
Research
Research
Understanding Market
Understanding Market
To better understand the world around this challenge, I conducted market research as well as competitive analysis and SWOT assessment of leading construction equipment brands. This helped uncover strengths, gaps, and opportunities in the current market. I also explored emerging technologies—like automation, electrification, and sustainable materials—to identify how innovation is shaping the future of the industry and where design can play a meaningful role.
To better understand the world around this challenge, I conducted market research as well as competitive analysis and SWOT assessment of leading construction equipment brands. This helped uncover strengths, gaps, and opportunities in the current market. I also explored emerging technologies—like automation, electrification, and sustainable materials—to identify how innovation is shaping the future of the industry and where design can play a meaningful role.
Our Challenges
Our Challenges
Before interviewing operators working with Volvo machinery, our team took time to deeply consider the day-to-day realities, pain points, and mental models of those in the field. We brainstormed potential challenges operators might face from physical fatigue and environmental stressors to cognitive overload and inconsistent interfaces across machines. This upfront thinking helped us frame more relevant, empathetic research questions and identify gaps we might otherwise overlook. It also allowed us to approach interviews with a foundational understanding, enabling richer conversations and more actionable insights throughout the research phase.
Before interviewing operators working with Volvo machinery, our team took time to deeply consider the day-to-day realities, pain points, and mental models of those in the field. We brainstormed potential challenges operators might face from physical fatigue and environmental stressors to cognitive overload and inconsistent interfaces across machines. This upfront thinking helped us frame more relevant, empathetic research questions and identify gaps we might otherwise overlook. It also allowed us to approach interviews with a foundational understanding, enabling richer conversations and more actionable insights throughout the research phase.
What are operators’ needs and priorities during active operation?
How can technology better support operators to stay alert, comfortable, and energized throughout their shifts?
What tools or systems would enhance the operator experience during tasks?
Onsite Interviews
Onsite Interviews
To better understand the operator experience, we conducted on-site interviews directly in the wheel loader cab. Sitting alongside operators while they worked gave us a firsthand look at their environment. We go to see the layout of controls, the visibility challenges, and the physical demands of long hours on the job. Being in the cab allowed us to observe real-time behaviors, ask context-specific questions, and build rapport through informal conversations. This immersive research helped uncover nuanced insights that wouldn’t have been captured in a traditional interview setting.
To better understand the operator experience, we conducted on-site interviews directly in the wheel loader cab. Sitting alongside operators while they worked gave us a firsthand look at their environment. We go to see the layout of controls, the visibility challenges, and the physical demands of long hours on the job. Being in the cab allowed us to observe real-time behaviors, ask context-specific questions, and build rapport through informal conversations. This immersive research helped uncover nuanced insights that wouldn’t have been captured in a traditional interview setting.
Conceptualization
Conceptualization
Focus Points
From our research, we identified three key focus areas to guide our design direction:
Uptime & Cost – minimizing downtime and operational expenses through smarter systems
Connecting Operators – enhancing communication between operators, machines, and teams
Efficiency & Safety – streamlining workflows while reducing physical and cognitive strain
From our research, we identified three key focus areas to guide our design direction:
Uptime & Cost – minimizing downtime and operational expenses through smarter systems
Connecting Operators – enhancing communication between operators, machines, and teams
Efficiency & Safety – streamlining workflows while reducing physical and cognitive strain
Operator Personas
Operator Personas
I created two distinct personas to guide our design. While one of our primary focuses was on the next generation of operators, I felt it was equally important not to overlook the current operators who actively use these machines. Through our research and interviews, it became clear that their needs, habits, and goals still play a vital role in shaping the direction of future designs. In fact, understanding the current operator helped us more accurately future cast our next gen persona, ensuring our solutions remain grounded in real user behavior while looking ahead.
I created two distinct personas to guide our design. While one of our primary focuses was on the next generation of operators, I felt it was equally important not to overlook the current operators who actively use these machines. Through our research and interviews, it became clear that their needs, habits, and goals still play a vital role in shaping the direction of future designs. In fact, understanding the current operator helped us more accurately future cast our next gen persona, ensuring our solutions remain grounded in real user behavior while looking ahead.
