UX designers and “engineering chefs” cook up unique user interfaces

Cabin interiors will continue to transform in the coming years, largely driven by the advanced UI/UX (user interface/user experience) development taking place in companies' innovation centers, said David Wilkie, director of the CNH Industrial Design Center, speaking at a 2020 SAE COMVEC Digital Summit session on design's role in product development. He believes a designer's job is to foster a “human connection” between the machine and the operator that includes a focus on ergonomics and the details that make for a “more pleasurable” operating environment.

“There's a huge push towards improving the cabin, improving the way of life for the operator and really making things easy to use and a pleasure to use,” Wilkie said. “To do this, you don't just need a designer or a stylist, what you need is a team - an engineering team that works with us, you need ergonomics, and you need the UX/UI team because it's the complete package.”