PRINOTH - New user interface for snow groomer "Leitwolf
The more sophisticated the technology, the more important the interface between man and machine. BUSSE has designed a completely new interface for the "Leitwolf" snow groomer from the South Tyrolean company Prinoth, which significantly improves operation and menu navigation for drivers, customer mechanics and service staff.
With the recently introduced "Leitwolf," Prinoth is setting standards in the snow groomer market: The model is considered the world's most economical vehicle in its class and is uncompromisingly environmentally friendly. Another feature is the modern display technology with a completely redesigned screen display and simpler operation and menu navigation. Everything meets the requirements of both the U.S. market and European customers.
Prinoth entrusted the design of the display and menu navigation to the experts at BUSSE, while TTControl Srl - TTTech Computertechnik AG was responsible for the programming content.
The display was to be redesigned primarily to make operation and navigation easier and more efficient for the driver of the snow groomer; at the same time, it was to match the appearance of the vehicle. This very sensitive task required a delicate touch in design, as the operator must have a quick and complete overview of all parameters, functions and processes of the snow groomer at all times. Routine hand movements, familiar to the numerous users of other Prinoth snow groomers, therefore had to be taken into account at all costs.
Employees from Prinoth, BUSSE and TTC first examined such structures and processes. As a project team, they then determined new approaches in workshops and concept studies.
A key component of the new interface design is the main screen, which has been completely redesigned graphically. It displays the most important vehicle parameters in a modern cockpit look. Special functions of the numerous attachments such as the snow blower or winch have been clearly summarized in graphic units. In addition to the purely technical characteristic values, the operating modes of these attachments are now also displayed graphically in such a way that the driver can grasp them at a glance.
The BUSSE designers have also completely redeveloped the main menu and the guidance through the submenus. They use a rotary and pressure controller for this purpose. Operation is also improved by more modern and meaningful icons. Because the remaining menu items are always visible at the top of the screen, the operator always maintains an overview and switches unerringly between the individual menu levels and items. In addition to the layouts of the different menu types, BUSSE redrew or improved hundreds of icons during this interdisciplinary project.
For BUSSE, this smooth and very successful collaboration with Prinoth and TTC is of particular importance. BUSSE is thereby strengthening its relationships with customers throughout Europe and demonstrating its skills in interface design. As technical products and their operation become more and more diverse, this field is becoming increasingly important.
