Buddies on the Road Improving long haul truck drivers’ leisure time

Typ
Examensarbete för masterexamen
Master Thesis
Program
Interaction design and technologies (MPIDE), MSc
Publicerad
2016
Författare
Cuotto, Nadia
Modellbyggare
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This thesis consisted of improving long haul truck drivers’ leisure time, when they are in the truck cabs, with the design of an interactive product. The thesis was initiated by Volvo Group Trucks Technology to get to know and understand European long haul truck drivers’ needs when they are not driving but have to stay in the trucks. The methodology was comprised of finding user needs, defining a design challenge in which three concepts were developed, and finally evaluating those alternatives to develop one final concept that fulfills the thesis goal. The design process followed a Human Centered Design (HCD) approach to be able to empathize with the users, and was aligned with the Design thinking model which consists of five different spaces to move within to be able to iterate and refine solutions. The thesis was divided into three main phases, and each culminate with the delivery of a result. The user research involved 70 participants from different European countries and from the data gathered, it was concluded that long haul truck drivers have the needs of: social contact, being able to enjoy their hobbies, disconnect to be able to relax and time efficient tools when they are in the truck cab. From those needs a design challenge related to helping users to disconnect from work was defined. Three concepts, based on the design challenge, were developed, tested and later combined into one. Finally, the concept ’Buddies on the Road’ was developed. It is a tablet application where truck drivers can build a network to interact with others by inviting people nearby to explore places together, challenging friends to exercise and by conversing about a topic of interest. The different activities that are offered that help truck drivers to disconnect from works are: exploring nature, meeting people, changing environment and exercising. In addition, the ’Buddies on the Road’ concept was tested by truck drivers and was later refined. However, it needs further development to improve the design of the graphical interface, the usability considering truck drivers’ safety (if used when driving) and field tests to evaluate it in a real context.
Beskrivning
Ämne/nyckelord
Människa-datorinteraktion (interaktionsdesign) , Human Computer Interaction
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