Design Challenges in Developing the PACCAR Digital Message Center

The PACCAR Digital Message Center (DMC) is a truck computer with a 40-character vacuum-fluorescent display in the dash panel. Designed to OEM specifications, it serves to integrate the many data display requirements of heavy trucks into a single device.

To meet customers' ergonomic expectations, consideration was given to information navigation, the display technology, the number of keys, the size of each key, the key labeling, and the keys' tactile feedback. The product was designed to be used by operators (clock/alarm, messaging, fuel economy information), service technicians (diagnostics and maintenance) and fleet managers (trip recording and fuel management). Configurability and software upgradeability were also important considerations.