Volvo Cars
Raising the level of safety in and around the car
2011-2016 Semcon
PRODUCT OWNER
TEST LEADER |
RESEARCH |
ERGONOMICS |
METHODOLOGY
OPPORTUNITY
Based on data from unique studies in real-world situations, everyone’s driving experience and safety in and around cars is consistently being improved. Following the digitalization era of rapidly increasing connectivity, changed human focus and behaviors, and with touchscreens being installed in cars, the infotainment system and the driver's position are developed and quality proved to follow safety parameters.
SOLUTION
Identify qualitative data through user research and benchmark studies, testing real-situation behaviors using eye-tracking and analyzing data from subjective experiences and brain activity. The data reports from the studies are used in the continuous development of the driver’s position in all Volvo's cars at the Active Safety department.
MY ROLE
TEST LEADER, USER RESEARCHER, PRODUCT OWNER
As part of Active Safety’s team at Volvo Cars in Gothenburg, I led the user studies of the infotainment system in real driving situations. My daily work included planning, user testing, and collecting driver's performance data using EEG, eye-tracking and subjective interviews while doing tasks in real and simulated traffic situations. I set up a team and target group, operated user tests and managed the data analysis and flow.
As product owner of the car's interface for three multimedia products (Spotify, Phone, and Privacy Policy), I also took ownership of the quality and development of the safety of their functionality for a user-friendly interface and connectivity.
Through a full period of five years I was part of a research team with different partners from Lindholmen Science Park to study, innovate and develop new functions in the car's Active Safety Systems.
RESULTS
USAGE OF DATA
The results and analysis of the data gave us insights that waere used for ergonomic and interactive designs for improved safety in the driver's position at Volvo Cars, first launched in the driver assistance systems in V90 in 2016.
WORK FLOW
We implemented a systematic research methodology was developed by our team for Volvo's testing and user centered design processes at Active Safety.
KEY TAKE-AWAYS
TEAM SKILLS
Working with meaningful products that improve any kind of life is a great motivator for me. A car is used all over the world by anyone, which is a learning per se, and it’s a great feeling knowing that the work you do is part of improving a rather risky universal product to reach requirements and levels of safety for all.
LEADERSHIP
As a test leader my leadership skills were improved. Working in such a positive team with a great approach to team safety, built my confidence and growth as a process leader. It’s clear that there are motivators and approaches needed from each individual to be or become a good leader, but a team is never as strong as when it's balanced and built upon trust, responsibility and healthy working environments.
BIG COMPANY PROCESSES
Working in huge company structures is sometimes challenging in a creative and idea generative way. Some simple and quick improvements for even safer cars will not always be prioritized. Because what might seem like a simple solution to implement still needs the quality and requirements testing to be approved.
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