Autonomy
Designing experiences for autonomous operations demands a deep understanding of the intricacies of agriculture and the cutting-edge technologies driving automation today.
INTRO
Balancing Capabilities, Usability, & Safety
Autonomy in agriculture is still largely uncharted territory. Many of the challenges we encountered had no existing playbook; we were often solving problems for the first time. As we developed solutions, our work began to shape not only best practices but also influence emerging regulations across the U.S. and Europe.
Testing and Validation
Autonomous operations are inherently complex, so we approached workflow design from every angle. Extensive field testing played a critical role in validating our hypotheses, uncovering blind spots, and refining edge cases.
Proactively Designing for Safety
We systematically mapped out all potential “unhappy paths” within our workflows to identify edge cases and failure scenarios. The goal was to design safeguards that prioritized user and equipment safety, without compromising operational efficiency.
Real-time visualizations and live updates make remote monitoring possible
Communication Leads to Trust
For autonomy to succeed, users must trust the system. We focused on clear, intuitive interfaces that gave farmers both control and visibility. Clear and transparent visual communication make users feel like they are in control, instilling trust and confidence in our products.
All notifications should be clear and paired with actionable directions.
Safety
We approached all our workflows and user journeys with safety at the forefront. Working closely with a safety team, we aimed to strike a balance between usability, efficiency, and the safety of farm workers in all our autonomy solutions.
HRI
We approached the HRI (Human Robot Interaction) by studying behavioral design patterns and the methods used for visual communication. Using distinct RGB light–strip animations, and a limited set of audio available to us, we designed a system that effectively communicates the tractor’s movements and behaviors.
Avoiding Alert Fatigue
Alert fatigue can cause users to ignore systems used to communicate. Striking the right balance between keeping the user informed while not bombarding them with constant sounds and visuals is necessary.
Anticipating the movements of an automated vehicle is vital to the safety of farm workers
By limiting the variation in light-strip animations and sounds, and being intentional with identifying and solving for use cases, we designed a system that can be easily understood and retained. This fosters a trusting connection with users and their smart farm equipment.
