NOVA
An adaptive in-car experience that seamlessly balances safety, trust, and immersion through context-aware design and intuitive interaction.
My Role
Project Lead, UI Design,
UX Design
Project Type
Automotive infotainment UX
Tools Used
Figma, Rhino, Keyshot, Photoshop
Duration
10 Weeks
Overview
Nova reimagines how drivers and vehicles interact by adapting to human focus and emotion.
It builds a trustworthy connection between people and automation while keeping every moment on the road meaningful.
Background
Nova reimagines how drivers and vehicles interact by adapting to human focus and emotion.
It builds a trustworthy connection between people and automation while keeping every moment on the road meaningful.
Design Process
Initial Thinking
Design a system that adapts to driver attention and emotion.
Target Users
Daily commuters who frequently switch between manual and assisted driving.
|
Tech-curious drivers who feel uneasy about vehicle autonomy.
Photo Diaries | User Surveys | In-person Interviews | Tesla Cybertruck Field Test
Research Methods
User Research
Pain Points
Insights
Drivers need calm visual feedback, clear communication of control state, and emotional reassurance during autonomy transitions.
Challenge
Problem Statement
Drivers need calm visual feedback, clear communication of control state, and emotional reassurance during autonomy transitions.
Goal
To build a context-aware interface that bridges trust between human and machine through clarity and empathy.
Persona
Ethan – Driver
35 | Project Manager | Virginia
Aspiration: Wants to feel safe and connected during daily commutes.
Frustration: Too many visual distractions and unclear alerts.
Prototyping & Testing
Methods
3 In-person tests + 10 Maze participants
A/B testing for UI clarity
Key Insights
Mode transitions needed clearer visual feedback.
Simplified layouts reduced distraction.
Personalization options increased trust.
Outcome
Final prototype achieved SUS score 91.2 and higher user preference for calm visual tone.
Design Concept
Three Adaptive Modes
Focus Mode: Manual driving | Minimal alerts | Essential data only
Comfort Mode: Shared control | Schedules and messages | Balanced UI
Relax Mode: Full autonomy | Ambient visuals | Media and environment info
Each mode changes layout density, lighting, and interaction depth based on driver attention and environment.
Final Design
Key Screens
Landing Dashboard | Focus Mode | Comfort Mode | Relax Mode
Impact
Nova reduced cognitive load and increased user trust compared to existing infotainment systems.
Reflection
Takeaways
Clear feedback creates trust.
Emotional tone shapes perceived safety.
Future iterations will explore shared mobility applications.