Dimming Visors
A revolution in dimmable glass, the EC dimming visors uses electrochromatic technology to provide a wide range of opacity from fully clear to fully opaque with clarity and precision.
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I've worked on several research initatives during the development of the dimming visor product, each building on the last to ensure this new product has an outstanding user experience.
Methodologies
Below is an overview of the different research methodologies I employed during the development of this product.
Usability Testing
A qualitative user study focused on the experience, value of the product, and areas for improvement.
Quant Transmission Range Evaluation
A quantitative evaluation of different "dimmness" levels to understand the range needed to ensure comfort and visibility for users.
Co-Design for HMI
A collaborative approach with users to design their ideal control panel for this product and to gather insights on user goals.
Case Study: Qual Usability
I'd love to drive deeper into the usability testing where I first engaged on this product. To set the stage and provide additional context, the product team came to me with their first works like/looks like prototype and had questions around the value this provided to the user, areas for improvement, and how users would interact with this product. ​
Overview
Methodology
When designing a testing plan, it was important to allow participants to experience the product in a real world setting with minimal distractions. Because of the nature of this product, I opted for an unmoderated study with a diary-study feedback channel using surveys and videos over a longer period of time to allow them to use it in a variety of environments including different times of day.
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Started with a test briefing, pre-test survey, and key handoff
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Participants then drive the vehicle home after work running a test of the recording equipment
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Go for a drive in the evening with someone in the passenger seat and record this
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Complete a post-drive survey with passenger
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Drive to work in the morning and record
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Turn in keys and complete post-test survey
Participants
A limitation of this study was that I was only able to recruit internal, salaried employees due to IP concerns. In order to reduce bias I worked to recruit a diverse group of participants across multiple departments who did not have experience working on this product. In the end we had 19 total participants which was split between drivers and passengers.
Key Insights
Below is a summary of the key insights we extracted from this study to share with the product team consisting of product owners and designers to help identify key initatives to keep pushing this product forward.
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Users desired a more intuative control panel placement
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Fingerprints and smudges on the glass were noted and some participants would like to see a tab where they could grab the visor without touching the glass
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Reflections and glare were noticeable and some users found this distracting
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Participants found that the mid-level dim setting was optimal for blocking the sun but keeping a clear FOV
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Users expected the visor to already be darkened upon flipping it down and would like it to automatically dim
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Participants missed the vanity mirror feature
What I Learned
This study was an excellent learning experience for me and I thoroughly enjoyed the opprotunities to think outside of the box and get creative with how to collect user expereince data for in-vehicle experiences. Reflecting back, if I were to conduct this study again I would make a few chages to the structure, specifically implementing interviews with participants to talk about their experience with the product.