VOLVO TRUCKS - DESIGN FACELIFT

Overview

2014, Volvo Trucks decided to launch an exterior & interior facelift (redesign) for models Volvo FH, Volvo FH16, Volvo FM and Volvo FMX Volvo. These launched 2020 and covers a qualitative driver-focused work environment as well as innovative safety features.


Stating The Problem

To meet the important demand of supporting the truck driver's journey, the new facelift would elevate the level of productivity, safety and comfortable life on the road. Partly these aspects were solved by means of providing two main user-friendly and easy-to-understand instrument displays: The 12" fully digital instrument cluster and the 9" side display (touch-hybrid). These displays provides easy access to various types of information, increasing the driver's ability to perform more efficiently, comfortably and safely.

The Users

The focus was on multiple drivers as well as valuable business aspects for the haulage contractors:
+ On the road long distance (long haul) drivers for the FH & FM models.
+ On and off the road drivers for the FMX model.


My Role & The Work Process

The work was conducted in a Scrum-team at the department of Volvo Group Design with multiple designers as well as developers. It was an end to end process, were I was specifically involved in creating the UX and interaction design of the new HMI platform (driver interfaces) for the truck models. My role was to conduct UX research (observing and interviewing the truck drivers), creating concepts, wireframes as well as prototypes (ideation and prototyping step of the design process) and testing them on the real drivers using the lab usability testing method ( testing run in special environments and supervised by moderators). The UX work I was involved in was not limited to the displays per se, but also with how the drivers would interaction with buttons on the steering wheel, "focus shift" between the 12" digital cluster display and the 9" side display as well as the accessibility & placement of direct access buttons related to the trucks various features and functionalities.

Results

The launch of the facelifted truck models were delayed due to Covid. However, when the business started to pick up momentum again, it was shown to have been very successful. For example, during Q4 2021, net sales increased by 6% to SEK 102.4 billion (96.9) even though semiconductor deficiencies are still lacking around the world. Having been part of the team that developed these products was fun, fasted phased and educational, especially when it comes to the hard work put into truly understanding the business and the target audience. Various concept iterations of the content in the displays, physical interactions were conducted, regular tests and interviews, i.e. always having the users with us in the design process gave us remarkable insights on the needs. More info on the truck models can be found here on the website: https://www.volvotrucks.com/en-en/trucks.html