Designing a Mobile User Interface for Tree Professionals

Abstract

Conducted in collaboration with Husqvarna Group, this study explores the specific user requirements of arborists and loggers in the context of mobile fleet management, aiming to design a user-centered interface that enhances their daily workflows. Currently, Husqvarna Fleet Services offers limited value to tree professionals, as its user interface and features are not sufficiently tailored to the unique needs of arborists and loggers. Using the Double Diamond design process, the study employed qualitative methods including interviews and observations to identify user needs and translate them into clear user requirements. The defined user requirements covered areas such as machine data, battery management, GPS tracking, service and maintenance, and theft prevention. An ideation phase was initialized, including brainwriting and Crazy 8’s, creating the foundation for the prototyping. The prototype was evaluated through user testing with both end-users and product specialists, indicating high perceived usability. The prototype demonstrated high usability and through user tests key features were evaluated. Features adding the most value, which can increase the adoption of a mobile user interface for arborists and loggers, were real-time equipment tracking, reminders when forgetting or losing equipment, theft prevention, battery labeling, battery status and identification, and purchase of spare parts, supporting a more efficient and user-centered mobile user interface for tree professionals. Suggested future work includes broader end-user testing, investigating potential position tracking systems, and the process of purchasing spare parts, among others.