An Inclusive and Intuitive Interface for Robotic Taxis

The objective of the project was to design a user-friendly interface specifically for an autonomous taxi, with a focus on ensuring that it was intuitive, accessible, and safe to operate whilst the vehicle was in motion. To achieve this, the interface needed to incorporate features such as larger, well-spaced buttons that are easy to press, even on a bumpy ride, as well as integrated voice control functionality to minimize the need for physical interaction and make the experience more seamless for a wider range of users.

I first created two possible user personas based on my research. One was an elderly user who could no longer drive himself, and the other was a young adult who was hesitant to use public transport due to a past robbery she had experienced. I then created a series of sketches showing ideas for what the interface could look like. One idea that evolved from this was not including the stop button on the interface, but instead placing it on the car itself, much like on a bus. This way, elderly users who are not familiar with technology may not need to interact with the interface at all.

I designed the brand before beginning to develop the final interface. I chose a colour palette of various blues to connote trust, and a sleek sans-serif typeface to reflect the product’s modernity. The logo is a three-dimensional arrow, intended to make the user feel that they are moving forward toward their goal using the product.

Finally I created the interface. One of the foremost elements is the emergency button, in a bright red colour, which would allow the user to speak to either a customer support representative or emergency services, depending on what they need. The car also cannot start until the user has their seat belt on, and they would be guided through these steps, from putting the seat belt on to starting the car, by voice.