Project
Two
Inspiration
This version is inspired by the original Ducati Scrambler, a very versatile light motorcycle which is – untypical for Ducati – not necessarily built for the road. The limits are here only set by the imagination for tuning fans, everything from Coffee-Racer to off-road motorcycle is possible.
The idea to use this motorcycle as a base was born on the fact that I didn’t drove the motorcycle for safety reasons and I was asked to design one. So I asked myself: How does a motorcycle need to look that I would drive it. So I looked for a bike with a smaller engine for beginners and landed on the friendly looking Ducati Scrambler.
Time set the standard for the electric engine type, which is a very controversial topic among motorcycle-enthusiasts. But Harley-Davidson had just shown that it’s not a trade off between a cool bike and an electric engine.
Yellow was the color inspiration due to the international use of yellow and black on any kind of warning signs which creates more awareness for the bike to be seen and noticed.
Also the trellis frame is colored in the same yellow and is illuminated. It is reacting with several sensors on the bike to detect if a car for example changes lanes without noticing the motorcycle and pulses to be more noticeable.
Product Design
By keeping the conventional design, the fuel tank could be reused as an enclosed storage area for some small items like gloves. Due to no gasoline the top-part of the container could be assigned to the user interface with a giant display which gives especially new and insecure drivers all the necessary information during the ride in an comprehensive and easy to read overview.
Due to the bike being electric the second accent color used is copper metallic which reflects the inner color of electric cables. It was especially used on all components directly connected to driving like the brakes on the front, the transmission in the back or the suspension in the front as well as the electric engine of course.
UI Design
/// Top area
The top area shows the most vital information for the driver which he needs always in focus. The most important data is of course the speed which is shown as a digital number because that way it’s faster for the brain to process the input.
Directly below the current speed is the state of charge which is shown with a battery graphic for a quick look to get a feeling about the status but also with the exact number. On the sides we have the currently by the engine produced newton meters and kilowatts which is also connected to the next part of the display.
/// Drive trainer
Next comes the drive trainer which is especially helpful for beginners but could be also used by experienced drivers on unknown road to always be safe. On the sides you can see two bargraphs which show the current power output of the engine. In the center area there is a line shown which works as a limiter when the trainer is on and a route is programmed into the navigation system.
This helps preventing to speed up too much and lose control over the motorcycle and therefore always be safe on it. Even experienced drivers can use this trainer in a passive state as a recommendation on unknown roads to know what is coming up ahead.
/// Battery information
The next graphic is already well known from electric cars with an intelligent route planner integrated. It shows the current battery charge and also the charging status on the destination, which helps drivers new to electric bikes to also be assured if and with how much electricity left the destination is reached.
Also the main route data is shown like remaining kilometers/miles and time to the destination.
/// Quick access
In an ergonomic position are three quick access buttons located. The first one on the left toggles through between three different POI states: charging and parking, points of interest and a custom profile which is predefined by the driver before the ride.
Behind the next button is the general menu of the motorcycle hidden where all adjustments can be made and all information can be seen.
The last button on the right side works like regular seat warmers in modern cars by toggling through the heating-steps.
/// Map
Inspired from the time before smartphones and other small GPS navigation devices – when drivers used to place a physical map on the gasoline tank of their motorcycles – this map is also in 2D, well 2.5D. The whole area is shown in bird-eye view which is also the most realistic perspective, considering the driver is looking down on it and it is aligned with the road.
In this map also the POIs from the previous menu are shown.
/// Triangle pattern
The area closest to the driver is also the area which should be looked at the least. I aimed for a smooth transition to the paint job of the bike. Inspired by the logo of Ducati I went for a triangle pattern which shows some small movement by growing and shrinking triangles. The higher the state of charge, the more intense is the pulsing.
AR UI Design
This concept enhances the screen on the motorcycle by an even more comfortable user interface using AR technology. The visor is enhanced by a blind spot assistant with those orange brackets on each side. This visual helps by blinking for the driver to recognize traffic in an area which is not visible in the mirrors (blind spot). It’s also working as a distance warning, in this case both brackets would light up at the same time.
In the center we have again all the necessary information regarding the current situation of the motorcycle. A bargraph for a quick look of the state of charge enhanced by the percentage in the middle below it and the remaining kilometers/miles next to it on the right side.
Next to some telltales the speed is again the most vital information here. It is shown right next to the current speed limit.
Switching to the bottom part of the visor: here is an indicator about the angle of the bike in comparison of what’s possible with the motorcycle. This assures the driver that he/she is in a safe range and not in danger.
The triangle pattern of the display is also reused as a driving lane for the bike with a color indication of the current speed in the current situation. Blue means the speed is fine, the more red it gets the more dangerous it gets due to speeding.