AirC 200 Control System HMI
UI & UX Design
2023/10-Present
Background
AirC is a control system platform developed by Munters R&D in Kista. The platform comprises several control systems, including the AirC200, AirC400, and AirC800, designed for use in a variety of dehumidifiers and accessories, providing customers with intelligent climate control solutions.
Over the years since the AirC platform entered the market, feedback from both Munters service technicians and external customers has been gathered. Concurrently, the ComDry portable dehumidifier series underwent a component update, presenting Industrial Design with an opportunity to further investigate and evaluate the existing version of the AirC200. This evaluation addressed gaps and opportunities for improvement in its HMI, which could not be explored during the initial development phase due to resource constraints.
As the project lead, my activities included a comprehensive usability test conducted in collaboration with RISE, multiple internal workshops and user testing sessions, designing wireframes and prototyping in Figma, and an agile, iterative collaboration with embedded developers to implement the updates. The result was an enhanced version of the AirC200 HMI, featuring a clearer information architecture and a more intuitive user flow, making the ambition of 'plug and play' possible for all equipped units.
This improved version will be integrated into the upcoming release of the ComDry series, as well as the newly developed portable dehumidifier, the M300, which is scheduled for launch in Q1 2025.
Current AirC Control System Family
AirC400 Controller
AirC200 Controller
AirC Terminal
AirC Sensor Node
AirC Remote Control
The Development Process
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01 - Qualitative user research was conducted with service technicians and customers, providing valuable insights into the usability challenges of the previous HMI. These findings highlighted the need for a comprehensive usability test to validate the identified issues and guide further improvements.
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02 - Test Preparation included: 1) the recruitment of test participants with the help of an external agency - FeedbackFrog; 2)the design of test scripts and scenarios together with Research Institue of Sweden (RISE).
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03 - The Usability Test was conducted in RISE's UX Lab in Kista. The test objects were: one fully-functional Comdry NX dehumidifer, one wireless AirC Sensor Node, one faulty wired sensor and one functional wired sensor. All sessions were carefully moderated and recorded for in-depth analysis. The findings revealed both usability gaps and opportunities for improvement, while also validating previous assumptions and hypotheses.
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04 - One of the key gaps identified was the inconsistency in the user flow of the previous HMI, which led to significant confusion among test participants, regardless of their experience level. Consequently, the primary focus of the improvement efforts was the redesign of the Information Architecture (IA). By restructuring and renaming functions within the IA, we established a more logical and intuitive user flow. This process was carried out in an iterative manner, with continuous user participation to ensure optimal usability.
Overview of the refined Information Architecture on the high level
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05 - The user interface was also redesigned to align with the latest brand identity guidelines. The components, color palette, typography, and iconography were meticulously crafted and selected to accurately reflect the brand's image and identity. The prints on the controller's physical buttons have also been redesigned based on the test results.
New Component Library in Figma
Home Page: Dark Mode vs. Light Mode
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06 - The implementation of the upgraded user interface is an ongoing collaboration between the design team and the embedded software team, following an agile development approach. This process includes weekly design reviews and bi-weekly sprints to ensure continuous refinement. The adoption of the new graphic engine, TouchGFX, has further enhanced the efficiency of the implementation..
The interface concepts can be easily tested through the TouchGFX Simulator, which made the design iteration highly efficient.
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07 - The launch of the new AirC200 HMI is scheduled in Q1, 2025, and will be equipped by two of Munters' latest portable dehumidifiers - M300 and Comdry NX series.
User Test with M300
M300 with New AirC200 Controller
Currently a finalist at IF Awards, and submitted to Red Dot Awards
Results
The final outcomes of this project not only improved the overall aesthetics but also elevated the HMI to a higher standard of usability and user experience. More importantly, these efforts demonstrated the value of a user-centric approach throughout the development process, set a benchmark for effective cross-functional collaboration, and showcased my ability to independently lead projects with strong discipline and strategic execution.
User Flow: Start-up Wizard
User Flow: Main Interaction
User Flow: Sensor Pairing
Animation of the main interaction
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