HMI UX Lead on McLaren Elva Ultimate Series programme
My role on this programme included but not limited to: early conceptual UX design and vehicle prototype testing at Adiada test facility in Spain. Responsible for all vehicle UX attributes including hard switches, their placement and icon design where necessary. The creation of functional specifications, behaviours and, the visual design of cluster and central screens with rig, mule and prototype in-vehicle testing and assessment, and communication of the HMI designs and presentation of related documentation to internal stakeholders.
McLaren Elva is the latest in the McLaren Ultimate Series cars, and is unique in its sector by not having a windscreen, and using an Active Air Management System (AAMS) to create bubble of calm air over the driver and passenger up to and beyond motorway speeds. New ideas and concepts were developed for the cluster, to combat reflections, glare and maximise legibility.
Alongside the engineering and styling teams, I was completely involved with these systems and others, to work out functionality, user experience and user interface design. As UX Lead (and liaising with the Head of UX), the whole vehicle was considered; from walking up to the car with the key, the driving environment including hard switches and ergonomics, user experience whilst driving and finally shutting the car off and walking away. Other areas within the programme were owners manual, communication of the systems with the marketing team and liaising with external suppliers.
One of the unique features on Elva was the automatic switching of the cluster screen display (using a light sensor) to display a 'day mode', where the imagery and metrics are presented on a white background. This drastically reduced reflections and increased legibility for day time driving. At night the car would switch to a more familiar white on black display. This function could also be selected independently within the cluster menu options.
A selection of various cluster states, in both day and night modes.
Driver shot of the cluster directly ahead. The design utilised previous McLaren design architecture, but was re-worked for the Elva programme.
The central display was largely carry-over design from previous programmes, but required some finessing to make sure it worked with a reduced number of items on the home screen, and reduced features within the menu systems. The control to navigate back to the home screen is via a knurled 'crown' on the right, like a finely engineered watch. This could also serve as a rotary dial for multiple features within the menu structure. A familiar system, yet with a new application.
Cockpit layout showing the relationship the driver has with various touch points including the central display.
Images featuring the gold Elva are © copyright to TopGear Magazine.
