UX of the HMI mobile application
UX of the HMI mobile application An application that connects via bluetooth to devices that improve indoor air quality is to replace physical HMI manipulators. In addition to typical functions, such as setting the temperature, humidity, air freshness, it is also intended to be used by installers and service technicians for advanced management of the entire system. This is an opportunity to make the interface easier to use than the typical plastic device hanging on the wall.
Design challenge
Reconciliation in one interface of the needs of a building resident user with the advanced needs of an installer and service technician, with a satisfactory user experience. An important limitation of the project was the logic of automation managing the system and the habits of “old” users.
Process steps
1 / Desk research
Service safari (expert analysis) of the PoC version of the application and the HMI physical device.
2 / Analysis of the context of use
Creation of user stories.
3 / Good practices
Benchmark of IoT applications.
4/ UX concept
An interactive prototype of the application in Figma
5/ Prototype validation
Tests on end-users and service technicians.
6/ Preparing a prototype for the UI
Making corrections to the prototype and transferring it to graphic design
Results of preliminary analyses
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On the market of building/home automation management applications, there are no dominant utility patterns that would facilitate the presentation and management of many functions.
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The mere transfer of the keypad function to the phone will significantly improve the user experience - the graphical display with virtual, contextual buttons changes the interaction with the interface.
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The logic of the application will hide from the user's eyes many operations resulting from the need to go through complex technical options embedded in the text interface.
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The PoC application performs advanced functions, but does not take into account the context of use and the needs of users.
User stories
The prepared stories are:
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first use of the application by any user,
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first launch of the air quality improvement system by the installer/service technician,
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reuse of the application by the service technician.
The analysis of user stories showed that it is necessary to change the navigation structure of the application and add elements not provided for in the specification, such as user onboarding.

Changes applied
The main 4 screens with widgets and attractive graphics are dedicated to the resident of the facility and the owner/administrator of the facility. They allow:
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Changing the basic parameters of the system operation.
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Understanding the operating status of devices, programmed operating mode, etc.
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Be alerted to system problems in a way that allows you to explain the situation and get help from a specialist
Professional users have received a new, easier to use interface that allows you to:
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system boot,
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Individual system settings - time programming, specific settings of selected operating parameters.
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Diagnostics and troubleshooting of automation problems in the system.
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Remembering service passwords, identifying devices.
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Factory reset.
Application in Play and App Store
The application has been tested on professional users and residents - as a result, several usability improvements and a more attractive appearance have been introduced. In October 2022, it will pass F&F tests and then go as an official distribution to Google and Apple stores. But this is not the end of the development of this application - more functionalities are in preparation...
Copyright & NDA:
Copyright © Agnieszka Menczykowska 2022
The presented projects are implemented or in the process of implementation, however, their details must remain secret due to the NDA.