2017 Ford GT HMI
Lead Automotive HMI Designer
The Ford Mission
Beat Ferrari at 2016 Le Mans
The 2016 marked the 50th Anniversary of Ford's infamous win over the notorious Ferrari of the 1960s in Le Mans racing history.
Win Again & Showcase Production Model
The Challenge
Project Phoenix
The project was coined as Project Phoenix to resemble an age of rebirth. Yet drawing minimal influence
from its predecessors and focusing on the tech it showcased.
Build the Prototype in 9 Months
Studio Competition
The interior and exterior design studios kicked the project off with an internal competition; best design wins.
I was the only internal digital designer.
Product Valuation
Pilot Performance First
Interior HMI takes priority to driver's ability to manipulate their interactions with minimal dexterity while maintaining a focus on the driver's experience.
If it doesn't enhance driving it has to go.
Evolving Ford Driving DNA
Blur the lines between man and machine by extending the vehicles driving dynamics into the driver's conscience.
Automate Vehicle Modes to react to user; Instant Pilot.
Integrate Legacy Sync Systems
While the vehicle is completely custom compared to the rest of the lineup, legacy parts and software will be utilized for efficiency. However, will be tailored for the GT.
The Same Brain Inside a Ford F-150 Raptor.
Strategic Research Plan
The Perfect Blueprint for 9 Months
A Strategic Research Plan is meant to summarize and catalog the project goals from a holistic perspective. They are excellent in providing guidance to anyone new or referencing the project in a 'all in one place. The following list shows all the main categories and subcategories.
Interviews
Contextual Inquiry
Stakeholder
Customer
Employee
Research
Key Points of Interest
User Performance
Standards & Practices
Problem Valuation
Personas
Use Cases
Solution Valuation
Targeted Epics
Opportunity Exploration
Interviews
Phase One: Qualitative Interviews
Because not everyone can own a supercar.
Once we have established the problem valuation we can begin to render out persona profiles to cross analyze where and why the performance driving occurs. Follow-up interviews may take place in order to create a 'success curve."
Phase Two: Simulated Reviews
After in person interviews we were able to focus on a select number of users for simulated research in Ford Racing's comprehensive simulator where we are able to look at nearly every reactive within a controlled environment.
Immersive Task Driven Research
Much like the one-on-one's each user was orchestrated to perform a baseline test before given certain challenges that prompt a response.
Wrote scripts for entire simulation exercise.
• GSR Sensor • Retina Tracking • Skin Temp • Dexterity • Response Time
Virtual Observation
Though not conducting the research I was able to sit comfortably at my desk tracking the user remotely. This allowed us to gather relevant and irrelevant for the HMI team.
Aggregated and Synthesized key performance observations needed.
• Whiteboard (Digital) • Recording • Reusable Data
Solution Valuation
What We Discovered
From the one-on-ones and observations I was able to gather a focus and design direction for the digital ecosystem within the GT.
Driving Modes
Driving modes to date behaved very linearly without enhancing driver performance. We focused on modes having very tailored behaviors coupled with distinctive characteristics to view only what the user needs.
Dynamic Information
Coupled with the differentiating modes design and development worked heavily on proposing adaptive road and track performances through immersive visual feedback. ie: the faster you go, the larger the speedometer gets while everything de-emphasizes.
Physical HMI
Integration: Styling and Engineering Departments
Steering Column
Racing Inspired
In order to perform under extreme scenarios the GT had to accommodate readily available vehicular functions within a finger length distance.
No Frills. All Skills
Much like the one-on-one's each user was orchestrated to perform a baseline test before given certain challenges that prompt a response.
Race Inspired Controls. Technicality
9 Iterations & 1 Winner
Many rounds of trial and error took place before we decided on an optimal steering wheel which encompasses the practicality of road driving and spirit of racing.
The 8th Designer won the competition based off my Redlines.
Climate Control
Celebrate Functional Aesthetics
At a glance textured toggles ands knobs declare their obvious function and dependability.
Tactile is King
For the secondary functions outside the immediate steering wheel, like climate control, are given the old school feel of tactile feedback. This gives the benefited function of blind interactions while maintaining eyes of the road.
Center Consol
Cockpit
With only 4 inches to spare at its widest, the center console offers minimal yet crucial vehicle start functions.
Check for Liftoff
Once the desired sequence for driving conditions and modes are selected the transmission selector prompts driver to engage transmission state before ignition.
Inspire by Startup Sequence.
Weight Reduction Matters
While this real estate is small; it does not go without reason.
Separating drive critical functions help reduce cluster in drive specific location with in the cockpit.
Inspire by Ignition Sequence.
