Project name:
Future of Quay Crane Experience | System Duration: August to October 2018 at Division of Industrial Design (DID) Overview: Design for Future of Quay Crane Experience to assist PSA quay crane operators in transiting from manual to semi-automation quay crane, targeting to increase the lowered productivity faced after shift; in collaboration with Ports of Singapore Authority (PSA) Team: With Delia Lim, Zephanie Lim and Woei Perng Role: Ethnographic Research, Design Probes, User Tests, Rapid Prototypes |
Background
Port in Singapore are undergoing huge industry innovations with automation and digitalisation transformation. The project aim to assist the Ports to achieve their digital transformation journey from human perspectives. Applying Service Design and User Experience Design to understand the needs of various stakeholders in complex networks, innovative ideas were created for new process and environments while embracing emerging technologies like context-aware technologies.
This project in collaboration with PSA was to assist PSA quay crane operators in transiting from manual to semi-automation quay crane, targeting to increase the lowered productivity faced after the shift.
Research Process & Findings
To better understand our various stakeholders - Quay Crane Operators (QCO) and Wharf Operation Supervisor (WOS) at a deeper level, our team spent the first few weeks in conducting situational analysis of PSA and interviewing more than 10 Quay Crane Operators, 3 Supervisors and 1 Senior Engineer. Our team got the chance to experience the vast differences in environment for manual and semi-automation quay crane.
Port in Singapore are undergoing huge industry innovations with automation and digitalisation transformation. The project aim to assist the Ports to achieve their digital transformation journey from human perspectives. Applying Service Design and User Experience Design to understand the needs of various stakeholders in complex networks, innovative ideas were created for new process and environments while embracing emerging technologies like context-aware technologies.
This project in collaboration with PSA was to assist PSA quay crane operators in transiting from manual to semi-automation quay crane, targeting to increase the lowered productivity faced after the shift.
Research Process & Findings
To better understand our various stakeholders - Quay Crane Operators (QCO) and Wharf Operation Supervisor (WOS) at a deeper level, our team spent the first few weeks in conducting situational analysis of PSA and interviewing more than 10 Quay Crane Operators, 3 Supervisors and 1 Senior Engineer. Our team got the chance to experience the vast differences in environment for manual and semi-automation quay crane.
Key problem areas - Heavy Reliance on Visual & Experience, Inconsistent Console Design, Lack of Affirmation (No Prior Warning shown) and Information Overload
Insights & Analysis
After conducting weeks of user research and ethnography, our group generated key insights by understanding different needs of stakeholders.
After conducting weeks of user research and ethnography, our group generated key insights by understanding different needs of stakeholders.
Design Developments
We conceptualized various solutions as a whole system in enhancing the semi-automation quay crane workflow and environment, which were further improved after rounds of co-creation sessions with operators.
We conceptualized various solutions as a whole system in enhancing the semi-automation quay crane workflow and environment, which were further improved after rounds of co-creation sessions with operators.
System Framework to Increase Productivity
Our team had many rounds of interview with various operators to find out how to increase the lowered productivity faced aftershift. We found out that there's singular communication channel and workflow, putting a huge responsibility on operator to reach out to the respective ground staff for each safety issue. Inspired by control tower in airline industry, our team proposed a centralized dispatch system to enhance the current workflow for a higher and safer job efficiency. When the operator faces a problem, the system will redirect the job to ground staff to solve and the operator receives a new job, reducing waiting time.
Our team had many rounds of interview with various operators to find out how to increase the lowered productivity faced aftershift. We found out that there's singular communication channel and workflow, putting a huge responsibility on operator to reach out to the respective ground staff for each safety issue. Inspired by control tower in airline industry, our team proposed a centralized dispatch system to enhance the current workflow for a higher and safer job efficiency. When the operator faces a problem, the system will redirect the job to ground staff to solve and the operator receives a new job, reducing waiting time.
Idea: Future of Quay Crane Experience
Other than the proposed centralised dispatch system, various solutions were proposed to design the future of quay crane experience.
Other than the proposed centralised dispatch system, various solutions were proposed to design the future of quay crane experience.
- Heads-up display (HUD) on the operator's camera view provides a visual guide to supplement the lack of environmental signals, allowing greater manoeuvre accuracy and speed.
- Our console interface is designed to have uniform language and in align with the heads-up display. Additionally, it incorporates tactile feedback and colour-coding to reduce human error.
- To aid operators in checking for safety given the limited camera view and providing them greater affirmation, an obstacle detection warning system was proposed to pause operations and alert operators of potential dangers in a timely manner.
- Declutter unnecessary information on screens by placing crucial and relevant information at the center of the display screen.
Possible Technology
Our team work closely with PSA senior engineer to discuss the possible use of technology for the implementation of our proposed solutions. The possible technology used can be the Lidar 3D scanner, a technology that is reliable, durable and at a low cost. The Lidar 3d Scanner can scan the cargo ship's profile enabling the technology in providing the appropriate information to operators.
Our team work closely with PSA senior engineer to discuss the possible use of technology for the implementation of our proposed solutions. The possible technology used can be the Lidar 3D scanner, a technology that is reliable, durable and at a low cost. The Lidar 3d Scanner can scan the cargo ship's profile enabling the technology in providing the appropriate information to operators.
Conclusion
Our team presented to PSA executives and the responses were very well-received as they see the potential of our human-centric designs. Even though the past three months were tough, we reflected as a team and learnt many crucial lessons about the future of technology design. I shall end off with a personal quote which is also my biggest takeaway from this project.
Our team presented to PSA executives and the responses were very well-received as they see the potential of our human-centric designs. Even though the past three months were tough, we reflected as a team and learnt many crucial lessons about the future of technology design. I shall end off with a personal quote which is also my biggest takeaway from this project.
" Inevitably, people will fear the uncertainty that new technologies bring but how can we as designers build an environment for humans to embrace new technologies or see the potential that new technologies bring." - Hayley Han, 2018
Team
Leader - Hayley Han
Designers - Delia Lim, Zephanie Lim, Woei Perng Soo & Hayley Han
Video Producer (Premiere Pro) - Hayley Han
Animation Designer (After Effect) - Delia Lim
Interace Designer (Illustrator) - Zephanie Lim
Leader - Hayley Han
Designers - Delia Lim, Zephanie Lim, Woei Perng Soo & Hayley Han
Video Producer (Premiere Pro) - Hayley Han
Animation Designer (After Effect) - Delia Lim
Interace Designer (Illustrator) - Zephanie Lim