ELECTRONICS
Easy driver
jonathan eziquiel-shriro & jason kandik
The pulling together of experience in both off and on-highway vehicle environments has led to the development of an operator system that combines unparalleled features with maximum ease of use
The Vehicle Display Controller puts HMI within arm’s reach
Off-highway vehicle operators are immersed in a high-bandwidth flow of information. Because these operators are working rather than commuting, they must accept, comprehend and act on more data sources than automobile drivers typically handle. This has led to information management becoming a critical aspect of ergonomics in offhighway vehicle cab design. Research into areas of success and failure in the automotive industry can yield insights to potential solutions and pitfalls in designing high-tech cab controls for information-rich applications. Since its founding in 1943, Grayhill has been committed to providing topquality solutions for a wide range of applications in the defence, aerospace, medical, agriculture, construction, automotive, and electronics industries. Now, as a leading designer and manufacturer of customised userinterface solutions, switches, rugged mobile computers, and electronic components, the company’s products include control panels, keypads, rotary switches, encoders, joysticks, push buttons, I/O modules, and dip switches. Experience in the designing of encoders and rotary switches for automotive applications puts Grayhill in the special position of being able to share data across industries. To that end, the company has undertaken extensive studies of operator
interface ergonomics to ensure its products are practical, efficient and intuitive. Working with global automobile manufacturers has produced optimal tactile feedback data on components, such as rotary detent and push button force. Data accumulated from working with manufacturers of agriculture and construction vehicles has provided a source of comparison, further guiding operator-interface design. Learning lessons from humanmachine interface (HMI) devices in the
auto industry, there is a careful balance that must be struck between too many – and too few – input devices. An overall approach to HMI requires an intuitive starting point balanced with a design that enables users to navigate between modes with just a few actions. If all functions are assigned their own switch, then the operator interface tends to become cluttered, raising the potential for accidents. On the other hand, if all functions are accessed through one input device, then even the most basic function can get buried within submenus requiring memory to find. After all, no-one would want to search through submenus just to change the volume on the stereo!
Right balance
An information management system to meet the challenges of the off-highway environment
Grayhill has combined its research into physical ergonomics with new insight into information management, developing an innovative vehicle
iVT International Off-Highway 2009
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ELECTRONICS
Keypads operating on the vehicle’s CANbus provide another method of interacting with onboard information systems
operator interface system – the Series 3D CANbus display – and the Series 3J vehicle display controller (VDC). Together, these two products provide a complete human-machine interface. The display is ideal for monitoring gauges, diagnostic menus and video feeds, while the VDC, mounted within easy reach, provides an efficient and intuitive means of navigating through on-screen software. In large off-highway vehicles operating in dangerous environments, diverted attention could lead to disaster. To make sure the operator’s focus is on the task at hand, Grayhill created an input device that can be operated by touch and feel alone. Its Vehicle Display Controller can be mounted within easy reach of a seated operator and is designed to fit the palm of 95% of potential users. This interface features an 8-way joystick for navigating through on-screen menus, an optical encoder for scrolling and a centre push button for selecting. Most commonly used ‘hot keys’ are grouped around the knob to provide quick access to menus or often-used screens. Each key is also specially shaped and located and therefore easily remembered. After a brief orientation period with the controller, a cab operator can quickly access on-screen information. Grayhill’s off-highway vehicle operator interface system is the most advanced in the industry, offering the greatest number of input/output ports, the best equipped CPU and the highest spec display. The flexibility of this XXX
iVT International Off-Highway 2009
system minimises design costs for OEMs by offering a standard hardware platform that can run limitless applications depending on the requirements of each vehicle. For example, some vehicles may require only electric gauges and diagnostic functions that alert the operator of fault conditions or service reminders. Other larger vehicles may require this system’s innovative ability to display three scalable video feeds and communicate with mounted implements.
Screen test The company’s vehicle-mount display integrates a 10.4-in SVGA LCD with an embedded single-board computer in a rugged and sealed housing. The highresolution, backlit display is specified for outdoor use in bright sunlight. To run multiple applications simultaneously, a large quantity and variety of inputs are
available, including USB, Ethernet and CANbus ports. Three video inputs (the most in the industry) enable simultaneous camera views so the operator can monitor blind spots. In addition to the VDC, there are many other ways for an operator to interface with the software on display. The Series 3D CANbus display is available with optional touch-screen capabilities. If a touch-screen is not specified, the operator can still interface directly via six soft-keys positioned to the right of the display. These keys can be backlit and laser-engraved with custom legends. Both Series 3D and 3J are specified to perform in extreme temperatures where exposure to sunlight, driving rain and snow are common. To protect against the ingress of liquids, dust and dirt, both products are sealed to IP67. Further, the display and controller are built and tested to withstand the vibration and shock that is expected off-road. These devices are part of a range of in-cab controls that also include keypads designed for off-highway vehicles. The release of the Series 3D and 3J further enhance Grayhill’s capabilities in developing custom dashboards and control panels that meet the price, performance and aesthetic requirements of each customer. Additionally, the company can develop an optimal graphic user interface (onscreen design and layout of functions) to help improve operating efficiency. iVT Jonathan Eziquiel-Schriro is senior industrial designer at Grayhill, with five years’ user-interface experience. Jason Kandik is MarCom specialist CONTACT www.grayhill.com info@grayhill.com
The Vehicle Display Controller facilitates cursor control, scrolling and menu selection