Boston Dynamics, Orbit
Proposed a user interface redesign for Boston Dynamics' Orbit, a robot fleet management software aimed to improve task assignment and management for robot fleets by engineers and customers.
Proposed to
Boston Dynamics
Role and Contribution
Usability Evaluation
User Interface Design
Visual Language
Space
Robotics
Enterprise Operations
Date
January 2024
Background
What is Orbit?
Orbit is a robot fleet management software designed for monitoring and controlling autonomous robots. It enables users to plan, schedule, and assign tasks to their robot fleets, track performance in real-time, and manage missions remotely. The platform offers site awareness, mission scheduling, and alert features to optimize operations and ensure efficient fleet management.
Design Process
Goal
Orbit is a software application designed for supervision and direction of autonomous robot fleets. It allows individuals to organize, timetable, and delegate assignments to their robot groups, monitor progress on-the-go, and handle tasks from a distance. The software provides location recognition, task planning, and alarm capabilities to streamline workflows and guarantee effective fleet administration.
Inspection
Orbit > Sign In
Orbit > Fleet Dashboard
Orbit > Mission Tracker
Findings
Navigation Issues
The mix of horizontal and vertical navigation schemes can cause friction among certain users, reduce the amount of real estate, and complicate responsiveness.
Usability and Accessibility
The level of contrast, the consistency of visual attributes, and overall interaction language require more consistency to ensure basic usability and accessibility.
Visual Language
The engaging visual language of the brand, from spot robots to specific color scheme choices, can be further used to the improve the user experience.
Final Solution
Sign In
A leading company in robotics and technology innovation should always capitalize on opportunities to reinforce its brand and product ecosystem. One such opportunity is the sign-in screen, which serves as a starting point for users to learn the visual language. This space can effectively introduce the brand and set the tone for the user experience.
Fleet
The persistent side navigation allows for scalability and supports content to the right. On the 'Fleet' screen, users can easily identify connected and available robots, with clear action options like 'Drive' and 'Inspect'.
Mission Tracker
An additional layer in the navigation scheme includes a drawer that provides more information and supporting actions, facilitating a surface-based interface. Iconography and labels are designed for readability, enabling users to quickly identify issues or specific details. The map, the primary content, is processed for clear contrast and includes navigation controls to further explore the area.
