Control - A Story of Innovation and Impact

In the world of autonomous tractors, efficiency and reliability are paramount. The existing control application, MAIA, was falling short. It was clunky, unresponsive, and failed to meet user needs, resulting in low adoption rates. This is where my journey with the Control project began.

Setting the Scene

As a Product Designer, I was tasked with revolutionizing the user experience for managing autonomous tractors. The goal was clear: create a web application that allows users to send tasks to the tractors, start and stop them, troubleshoot issues, monitor mission progress, and check the inner health of the tractors.

Taking on Multiple Roles

In this project, I wore multiple hats. Primarily, I was the Product Designer, but as the project progressed, I often found myself stepping into the role of the Product Manager. I worked alongside a junior product manager and a team of dedicated developers.

Discovering the Problem

To understand the core issues, I conducted thorough user research. This involved interviewing and shadowing users and key stakeholders. It became evident that MAIA's limitations were not just about its lack of responsiveness; it also failed to align with the users' real needs.

The Design Process

Armed with these insights, I embarked on a dual approach. Classic user research ensured we addressed all user needs, while a design sprint sparked innovative solutions. The process was iterative, with constant validation from end users.

Key Stages

• Concept Development: I created a design concept for the company and presented it to stakeholders.

• Design System: Establishing a robust design system was crucial for consistency and scalability.

• Screen Design and Validation: Two main screens were designed and repeatedly validated with end users.

• Presentation and Development Preparation: The concept was presented, and screens were prepped for development.

• Continuous Iteration: As development progressed, I made necessary adjustments based on feedback.

Innovative Solutions

The new Control application was designed to be fully responsive, making it accessible from any device. Key features included a streamlined interface for tractor commands and comprehensive data monitoring. Despite the limitations imposed by the legacy code, the design met all critical user needs.

User Testing and Feedback

Continuous user testing was integral to the process. Feedback led to practical changes, such as a safe start button for touch screens to prevent accidental activation and rewriting tractor messages for better clarity.

Overcoming Challenges

The journey wasn't without its challenges. We faced limited development resources, and it was a live product. The absence of a full-time Product Manager added to the complexity. However, through close collaboration with the development team and deep immersion in the technology, we navigated these hurdles successfully.

The Impact

The results were remarkable. Users began actively using the new Control application, appreciating its responsiveness and comprehensive functionality. The application became a proud showcase for sales teams, significantly enhancing their presentations.

Conclusion

The Control project was more than just a redesign; it was a transformation. By understanding user needs, fostering innovation, and overcoming significant challenges, we created a tool that truly empowered users. This experience not only showcased my ability to deliver impactful design solutions but also my capacity to lead and adapt in dynamic roles.