🔍 Looking Ahead:
I’m excited to see these designs come to life on the road and continue evolving the user experience in future automotive innovations.
Reflections: What I Learned
This project highlighted key lessons in designing vehicle Human-Machine Interfaces (HMI). It underscored the importance of User-Centered Design in high-stakes environments like driving, where safety and usability are critical. Implementing Multi-Modal Interaction—using voice, touch, and gesture—offers flexibility for diverse user needs. Additionally, simplicity and contextuality are essential for minimizing cognitive load, allowing drivers to focus on the road while interacting with systems.
The experience reinforced my belief in balancing technology with human needs to create functional and delightful experiences. Designing for Jaguar Land Rover’s future vehicles was both thrilling and challenging, with design continually evolving and inspired by the road ahead.
Safety & Security Features 🚦
1.1 Stolen Vehicle Tracker:
Purpose: A feature designed to locate and recover stolen vehicles continuously monitors the vehicle for any signs of tampering or unauthorized access. If suspicious activity is detected, the vehicle enters Stolen Vehicle Mode, activating a specific security protocol aimed at preventing theft. This enhances vehicle security and provides peace of mind for owners.
UX Considerations:
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To ensure that theft-related alerts take priority over other notifications, the system will promptly notify the user via multiple channels (in-car interface, mobile app) when suspicious activity or theft is detected.
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To restrict the use of the entire IVI system when theft is detected and ensure protection through owner authenticated PIN display.
The Road Ahead: Shaping the Future of In-Car Infotainment
Vehicle Controls 🔧
1.1 Drive Modes:
Purpose: Jaguar Land Rover provides various drive modes for its vehicles to enhance performance and handling in different driving conditions.
UX Considerations:
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Drivers should easily switch modes with a swipe or tap, with the Drive Modes feature accessible from the main interface or a dedicated button.
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Provide instant feedback upon mode selection through appropriate message displays on popup
Additionally, to also display the current mode active in the instrument cluster or HUD notifications. -
To improve safety and reduce distractions, it is important to minimize cognitive load by allowing for simple, single-focus actions. Make Drive Modes easily accessible and avoid complicated navigation. Limit access to options such as mode information and mode switching to instances when the vehicle is stationary or traveling at a safe speed.
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The system could recommend or automatically switch driving modes based on conditions, such as rough terrain. It allows drivers to customize presets, like steering sensitivity in Sport Mode, and saves preferences for different user profiles.
Design Approach: The design approach focused on prioritizing usability, safety, and aesthetics, ensuring that Drive Modes are accessible, intuitive, and consistent with the brand’s premium identity. Integrating features such as gesture control, personalization were essential to enhance the driver's sense of security and control.
1.2 Off-Road:
Purpose: Jaguar Land Rover vehicles offer a suite of off-road features to enhance performance in challenging conditions. Terrain Response 2 allows drivers to select specific terrain modes, while ATPC maintains a steady speed on difficult terrain. Electronic air suspension adjusts ride height for optimal ground clearance, and HDC controls speed on steep descents. ClearSight Ground View provides a camera-based view of the ground ahead, improving visibility in tough terrain.
UX Considerations:
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Essential and critical information such as terrain type, incline angles, wheel articulation, and tire pressure should be prominently prioritized.
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Real-time feedback on suspension faults, wheel slip fault statuses, and other fault notifications.
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Enable the system to remember settings based on last used preferences.
Design Approach: The design approach focused on creating a dedicated off-road screen that displays real-time data such as terrain, incline, and tire pressure. It features simplified controls to activate functions like Hill Descent Control and Auto Terrain Response. Additionally, the design prioritizes glanceability, allowing for quick decision-making on rugged trails, while ensuring easy access to dedicated off-road modes.
1.3 Transport Mode:
Purpose: When a vehicle needs to be towed or transported, it's important that it remains secure throughout the journey. Activating Transport Mode is crucial for maintaining the vehicle's safety and integrity during transit, whether it's on a tow truck, ferry, or during shipping.
UX Considerations:
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Drivers should easily activate and deactivate the feature through Vehicle Settings, which should have clear prompts for disabling Transport mode when starting the car.
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To display a confirmation message when activating the feature, along with clear steps to deactivate it. To also provide context-aware prompts and restrictions as safety measures.
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To provide clarity of information through on-screen explanations and help options, along with clear visual feedback indicators for active status.
1.4 Valet Mode:
Purpose: Enables a secure and hassle-free method to protect sensitive data by locking access to personal information and vehicle settings during valet parking.
UX Considerations:
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The feature should enable quick and effortless activation with a clear entry point.
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To enable PIN protection for mode deactivation, preventing unauthorized access and ensuring that personal information and vehicle settings remain inaccessible while the mode is active.
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To ensure that critical vehicle functions remain operable (e.g., emergency systems) and to provide clear error feedback if incorrect PIN entries occur.
Design Approach: The design approach focused on providing a secure, quick, and intuitive method for locking sensitive data and vehicle controls when handing the car to a valet. Clear labeling was used to ensure a simple activation process, and error prevention measures were implemented by confirming the user’s intent with a prompt.
MY ROLE
HMI DESIGINER
TEAM
HMI TEAM
TIMELINE
SEPT, 23’- PRESENT
Human-Machine Interface design in the automotive industry blends intuitive interaction, safety, and technology to create seamless connections between driver and vehicle. By anticipating user needs and minimizing cognitive load, a well-crafted HMI empowers drivers to stay in control while keeping their focus where it matters most: on the road.
Introduction: A Drive Towards the Future
Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) is a brand renowned for luxury, performance, and cutting-edge technology. As a Human-Machine Interface (HMI) Designer within JLR's Human Factors team, my mission was clear: to design seamless and intuitive in-vehicle infotainment experiences for the upcoming EMA and JEA programs, scheduled for release in the 2026 model year. This involved focusing on key areas such as Safety & Security, Vehicle Controls, and Comfort & Convenience, while also refining common features like Home Tiles, particularly Car Tiles.
Additionally, I was responsible for enhancing the existing PIVI Pro infotainment system based on user feedback and ensuring a cohesive design language across various domains. This journey was not merely about designing interfaces; it was about elevating how users experience luxury, safety, and convenience in every interaction.
Setting the Scene: The Context and Challenges
In the evolving automotive industry, Jaguar Land Rover is not just about luxury and performance — it's about anticipating user needs and providing intuitive controls that ensure safety, empower drivers, and enhance comfort.
My Responsibilities
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Requirements Gathering: Collected requirements from system engineers and product owners to create technical UX specifications for the features;
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Technical UX Specification: Created conceptual designs for complex in-vehicle information systems, identifying scenarios, use cases, and information architecture for the products and features;
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Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Collaborated with a multidisciplinary team that included UX designers, UI designers, software developers, and project managers;
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Cross-Functional Interaction: Participated in various discussions with professionals across disciplines to ensure successful product delivery.
The Challenge
Designing for in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) presents unique constraints:
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Cognitive Load Management: Drivers need to stay focused on the road.
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Safety Prioritization: Features must be accessible without causing distractions.
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Complex Systems Simplified: Managing diverse controls without overwhelming users.
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Brand Legacy: Maintaining the premium Jaguar Land Rover experience.
The Process: How We Designed with Intention
The Human-Machine Interface (HMI) design process at Jaguar Land Rover employs a carefully structured and multi-tiered workflow. This approach ensures that the interface is not only user-friendly but also enhances the overall driving experience. Each level of this workflow encompasses specific steps that guide designers in creating intuitive and efficient interactions between the driver and the vehicle’s systems. The Human-Machine Interface (HMI) design process at Jaguar Land Rover follows a structured, multi-level workflow.
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System Documentation: Authored by Engineers: Engineers create system documentation that encompasses multiple features within a broader system, such as security.
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Feature Software Documentation: Developed by Feature Owners and Human Factors Specialists: Feature owners take high-level system documents and develop detailed feature documents. These outline the technical requirements and explain how each feature integrates with the overall system.
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HMI Documentation: Created by UX-HMI Designers: In my role, I analyze feature documents and conceptualize how these can be translated into interactions and interfaces. After developing these concepts, I document the HMI specifications. This includes detailing screens, components, interaction behaviors, use cases, happy/unhappy paths, and potential error cases.
Comfort & Convenience 🌡️
1.1 Fragrance Dispenser:
Purpose: Fragrance Dispenser combines luxury with intuitive control, focusing on a delightful, sensory-driven user experience that evokes feelings of luxury and comfort.
UX Considerations:
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To ensure a simple navigation system that allows users to select different fragrances using gestures, such as swiping or tapping through options. Additionally, users should be able to adjust the intensity levels using a slider or step-based controls labeled Low, Medium, and High, all designed within a neat and cohesive interface.
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To use appropriate color coding to distinguish between scents and provide clear visuals indicating different levels of fragrance availability that will serve as concise visual feedback to the user.
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To provide feedback from the cluster and IVI on replacing fragrance holders and during unavailability of all or some fragrances due to climate system errors or other issues.
Design Approach: The interface is designed to be user-friendly, allowing easy access to main features with minimal taps. It provides clear feedback across both the cluster and infotainment system, ensuring drivers are well-informed about important aspects of the features. For example, it alerts users when it's time to change the fragrance tray holders and notifies them of any unavailability of certain fragrances due to errors. Additionally, it offers guided steps to help minimize user frustration when handling errors.
1.2 Cabin Moods:
Purpose: Cabin Moods integrates personalized lighting, temperature, and scent to create preset environments that match the driver’s mood, resulting in a holistic and immersive experience.
UX Considerations:
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Simple and intuitive navigation ensures users can quickly access and select moods according to their requirements, with clear and descriptive labels to convey the experience.
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Allow users to modify lighting, fragrance, audio, seats, and comfort to match their preferences with a custom settings option, and to save and recall the customized mood for user convenience.
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To adapt to the moods based on the driving context and to offer balanced default settings that cater to general preferences.
Home Tiles Feature
1.1 Home Tiles (Car Tiles)
Purpose: The modular and dynamic car tile provides quick, glanceable access to essential vehicle functions and information. Designed as part of a modular and customizable interface, this tile enhances the user experience by allowing drivers direct control over various aspects of the vehicle, eliminating the need to navigate through multiple menus.
UX Considerations:
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To offer customizable shortcut buttons for quick access to vehicle features.
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To show real-time information, including vehicle status, drive modes, climate control, navigation, and safety features.
Tailoring PIVI Pro: Using Customer Insights to Drive Improvement
Earlier this year, we were thrilled to learn that PIVI PRO was ranked as the best in-car infotainment system by customers in the J.D. Power U.S. APEAL study—arguably the most prestigious and influential customer survey in the industry.
Creating an infotainment system that is easy to use while also being visually appealing and effectively managing driver attention is no simple task. I am incredibly proud to be part of the team that made a significant contribution to this achievement.
We are continually improving the PIVI Pro experience by incorporating customer feedback and customizing the system to provide the best user experience.
I have contributed to developing use cases that focus on several key areas to enhance this experience, including:
- Legalization and regulations
- Software over-the-air updates
- Security and safety features
- Enhancing luxury experiences through improved comfort and convenience.
Building the Design System
The brand's design system thrives on two fundamental elements that set the foundation for creativity and functionality:
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Atoms: Think of these as the building blocks of design—simple yet powerful elements like buttons and icons that are essential for any interface.
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Molecules: When you combine these atoms, you form more intricate UI components, such as input fields, menus, navigation bars, and banners that bring life to digital experiences.
The overarching objective behind crafting this design system was to forge a cohesive, versatile, and scalable framework that seamlessly adapts across various brands and platforms.
During my time working on the JLR design system, I had the privilege of taking on several key responsibilities:
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Component Library Management: Played a crucial role in maintaining and updating our component and icon libraries in Figma, with the goal of creating a cohesive design system that accommodates the various brands and modules we are developing.
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Scaling the Design System with Figma Variables: To streamline theme changes, we implemented Figma Variables, allowing our design system to easily evolve and adapt to shifting requirements.
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Cross-Functional Collaboration: We developed a proactive communication strategy to improve collaboration across teams. This included regular weekly sync meetings with product and development teams, during which we aligned our roadmaps, gathered valuable feedback on new components, and addressed any necessary adjustments.
Through these efforts, we aimed to not just design but to create an engaging experience that resonates with users and stakeholders alike!