Keywords Dashboard user experience driver's cabin sub one-tonner truck |
Tata Elxsi intends to draw up a proposal to enhance the user environment for sub-1 tonner vehicles. The brief for my project was to design the dashboard and interiors, keeping in mind the existing and future user requirements. The elements of the cabin would be applicable to most sub-1 tonner vehicles and not limited to just Tata vehicles.
The driver’s cabin had to be studied in terms of workspace and ergonomic standards that have been set by the industry. The final outcome had to be feasible, while keeping a check on the cost. It needed to be developed to a stage where it could be sent for manufacturing. My concepts were based on understanding the form and identifying a language for the vehicles.
The areas of research on one-tonner trucks I covered included the users, the uses, ergonomics, materials and manufacturing processes. Next, a user study was conducted on truck drivers and their suggestions were recorded. Some of the elements they wanted in their cabins included FM radio, bottle-holder, glove-box and a place to keep a phone charger. The important aspects of my design process included the selection of materials and fabrication processes that were cost-effective, comfortable, safe and aesthetic.
During the course of the project, I learnt how to strike the balance between the confines of reality i.e., constraints and the ideal, i.e. future, in order to deliver a product that is producible yet forward-looking. |