Service Module v2 (SM2) IdleAire Technologies Corporation

IdleAire is a Knoxville-based start-up company which supplies HVAC, 120V electric power, telephone, internet access, and a slew of other services to truck drivers while they are on rest breaks at truck stops. A "service module" mounts in the passenger window of the truck cab. These services allow the drivers to shut off their engines, saving fuel and reducing emissions.

This concept has been in development for years and the second major iteration of the hardware is now being deployed. IdleAire intends to install these facilities in truck stops across the United States.

Nothing like it before...

I was brought in to overcome the significant interaction issues for this complex system. Since nothing like this product has been done before, it was difficult for product managers and developers alike to envision how this product would function and how to design an uncomplicated interface.

What made this project especially challenging is that the service module which mounts in a truck cab's window has the capability to provide a large number of services, requiring a solution which satifies the immediate requirements, but is also future proof to accomodate the interaction and control needs for currently planned and even unknown future services.

IdleAire's custom hardware portal contains air conditioning and return ducts, 120V AC power recepticles, cable TV and phone jacks, and has USB ports for attaching a user-supplied keyboard and/or mouse. Each service module contains a Linux-based computer running custom software.

Currently the user needs to be able to pay for basic services, purchase optional services such as ethernet, control HVAC settings (thermostat), access and control a web browser, enter arbitrary information via touchscreen (virtual keyboard), and view current system usage. Future services are confidential, but exciting with the considerable processing power in each service module.

The Process

I was first

Initial interface testing indicated that a touchscreen was far more intuitive to truckers than cursor-based navigation methods, and project management decided the benefits outweighed the additional per unit cost. An infrared touchscreen surrounded by a membrane keypad was adopted as our primary mode of user interaction.

(This case study is unfinished)

The interface for the service module incorporates all system controls and point-of-sale features. The user may , activate cable TVand is designed to be used by non-technical, non-english speaking, and semi-literate truck drivers. While being usable by least-common denominator users, the interface does not pander, designed to be equally usable by newbies and long term users alike.

Responsible for designing methods for user interaction, created keypad, and all media assets. Touchscreen and keypad entry.

New services may be introduced without redesign of the user interface.

Text-entry can be performed using the on-screen virtual keyboard via the infrared touch screen or by attaching a user-supplied USB keyboard.

The menu is the system's "dashboard", providing status information for all services. The dashboard currently provides space for up to 9 service modules which will be added as new services are introduced. Each module displays its current status information and pressing it opens the module to allow the user to change module settings.

Thermostat controls allow the user to adjust heating and cooling settings.

Created an interface blueprint to aid implementation. Created all media assets.
Prepared all media for use by developers. Worked with programming staff to design software architecture