Electric Outboard Boat Motor
Integrated
Digital Display
Project Description
Design Mercury's first all-electric outboard for diverse boat types and global applications.
Company
Mercury Marine
Design Team
Thomas Weger
Jacob Neuman
Mark Henker
Role
UI/UX Design
Duration
2021 – 2023
Timeline
Exploration to final designs in ~1.5 years
Background
With growing popularity of electric products, many companies recognize the market opportunity, but none are as trusted or have the size and industry market share of Mercury Marine. As an industry leader, Mercury is seizing the chance to invest and dominate the expanding electric market, while also addressing increasing environmental concerns by offering electric propulsion solutions that allow boating on both previously and newly protected waterways.
Process
Research & Planning
Primary, secondary, and analogous industry research uncovered opportunities, challenges, and user needs for markets internationally. Based on key findings and insights, we defined target user groups and outlined key features aligned with user needs, market trends, and broader Mercury strategies.
Primary research activities included interviews with electric boat users aiming to capture their typical boating journey and experiences with existing products. Secondary research gathered from design partners provided additional observations and user sentiments, informing the development of electrification user groups. Informed personas were then developed per user group to provide a human-centered framework to guide design work and decisions across project teams.
These opportunities drove our focus toward small vessels with constrained space, lacking traditional helms and mounted displays, necessitating the development of an all-in-one, integrated, and portable solution. Understanding user groups and their holistic boating journey was an integral step towards ideation and developing desirable experiences.
Set-up
Charge
On/Off
Go
Boating
Battery
Status
Return
Home
Initial Concepting
In parallel with physical product development, we explored small format displays, various form-factors, and display technologies to establish a realistic foundation for concept exploration. Utilizing gathered user insights, we determined information architecture and visual hierarchy through rapid sketches, wireframes, and preliminary user testing. By conceptualizing and refining these elements in tandem with the physical design, we achieved a thoughtful and intentional integration of physical and digital interfaces.
Testing & Optimization
We conducted testing through various project phases to ensure intuitiveness and ease-of-use, with an emphasis on simplifying available information at a glance. User feedback was gathered through moderated open-ended usability studies to capture interactions and preferences during simulated boating journeys. Paper prototypes, physical models, and high fidelity 'clickable' prototypes were used to evaluate the holistic experience of our concepts.
Design & Prototyping
Initial design exploration covered a range of options to determine the best combinations of attributes that aligned with project goals and strategies. We worked with cross-functional engineering teams and international suppliers within and outside of Mercury.
Focusing on user needs, access to critical boating information, such as speed, battery state of charge, range, power output, and depth were necessary to address top boater concerns and instill confidence. Physical interactions while using the product was a top context consideration during concept exploration and refinement.
As concepts started to take shape, we explored low-energy, small-screen IBN, TFT, LCD, and E-ink display technologies and their limitations. We selected IBN segmented display technology as it provided durable, cost effective, energy efficient and sunlight readable characteristics that complimented and enhanced aspects of our marine UI experience.
Refinements
Feature development was prioritized based on user feedback and technical feasibility. Supplier collaboration was key at this phase as we pushed available technology to its limit. Over 120 Individual IBN segments were designed and independently spaced to communicate live data and critical information in a 4" x 3" display package.
Going into design refinements and prototyping, the project scope expanded. The integrated UI solution would also need to function as a standalone interface to pair with multiple Avator outboard models and boat applications.
Solution
The Mercury Avator 7.5e integrated display enables the electric outboard motor to provide all the necessary information for an electric marine journey. Designed for a premium appearance and convenient placement on the motor, it offers quick access to motor data via navigation buttons.
Selectable Data
All boaters are unique and prefer different information at different times depending on boating activity, boat type, and environmental conditions. To accommodate these needs, users can select engine speed, battery percentage, and range estimates, with information displayed in full color for easy digestion, even in direct sunlight. Common colors—green for good and red for warnings/alarms—allow users to quickly assess the motor's status at a glance.
Mission Critical Communication
Legibility was a primary concern to minimize time spent reading data and to reduce data overload, allowing operators to quickly monitor information on the go and when swapping data types. Throughout development, sunlight-readability testing was conducted in varying weather conditions at multiple reading distances to ensure appropriate accessibility. To address range anxiety, emphasis was placed on battery percentage, available range and low battery states – with increasing levels of attention as the battery approaches zero.
Visual Accessibility
High Contrast, sun-light readable and brightness control
Visual Accessibility
High Contrast, sun-light readable and brightness control
Energy Efficient
Enhanced efficiency with a low power-draw display
Energy Efficient
Enhanced efficiency with a low power-draw display
Proactive Reminders
Three levels of progressing low battery reminders
Proactive Reminders
Three levels of progressing low battery reminders
Display Settings
Customizable settings allow users to tailor control preferences and priorities to their unique needs. Settings are available within the data carousel that users can toggle to. Once settings is selected, users can adjust throttle direction (ambidextrous) and units of measure. As a familiar marine display experience, users can also change display brightness by tapping the power button. Holding the power button will prompt a countdown sequence until powered off.
Display Flexibility
For boat applications that feature a steering wheel and throttle controls, a remote display is offered to be flush mounted or placed in an adjustable bracket. These applications required different physical interactions compared to the integrated display, but yet still leverage all the same display information.
Results
Product Recognition
The designed product has garnered international acclaim, winning numerous prestigious marine & design awards for its innovation and excellence.
Project Challenges
Developing a product with numerous limitations, novel experiences, and a new fuel source required balancing creativity with constraints while adapting to unfamiliar technologies. All of the layered complexities in many aspects of the product made it increasingly difficult to develop a simple and easy to use product. As an example, the chosen IBN display technology offered many benefits to the UI design and visibility but also had many limitation: display segments to communicate information, along with color limitations, and segment spacing restrictions. These constraints ultimately restricted the designs complexity and the amount of information that can be displayed at a time.
Electric Outboard
Boat Motor
Integrated
Digital
Display
Project Description
Design Mercury's first all-electric outboard for diverse boat types and global applications.
Company
Mercury Marine
Design Team
Thomas Weger
Jacob Neuman
Mark Henker
Role
UI/UX Design
Duration
2021 – 2023
Timeline
Exploration to final designs in ~1.5 years
Background
With growing popularity of electric products, many companies recognize the market opportunity, but none are as trusted or have the size and industry market share of Mercury Marine. As an industry leader, Mercury is seizing the chance to invest and dominate the expanding electric market, while also addressing increasing environmental concerns by offering electric propulsion solutions that allow boating on both previously and newly protected waterways.
Process
Research & Planning
Primary, secondary, and analogous industry research uncovered opportunities, challenges, and user needs for markets internationally. Based on key findings and insights, we defined target user groups and outlined key features aligned with user needs, market trends, and broader Mercury strategies.
Primary research activities included interviews with electric boat users aiming to capture their typical boating journey and experiences with existing products. Secondary research gathered from design partners provided additional observations and user sentiments, informing the development of electrification user groups. Informed personas were then developed per user group to provide a human-centered framework to guide design work and decisions across project teams.
These opportunities drove our focus toward small vessels with constrained space, lacking traditional helms and mounted displays, necessitating the development of an all-in-one, integrated, and portable solution. Understanding user groups and their holistic boating journey was an integral step towards ideation and developing desirable experiences.
Set-up
Charge
On/Off
Go
Boating
Battery
Status
Return
Home
Initial Concepting
In parallel with physical product development, we explored small format displays, various form-factors, and display technologies to establish a realistic foundation for concept exploration. Utilizing gathered user insights, we determined information architecture and visual hierarchy through rapid sketches, wireframes, and preliminary user testing. By conceptualizing and refining these elements in tandem with the physical design, we achieved a thoughtful and intentional integration of physical and digital interfaces.
Testing & Optimization
We conducted testing through various project phases to ensure intuitiveness and ease-of-use, with an emphasis on simplifying available information at a glance. User feedback was gathered through moderated open-ended usability studies to capture interactions and preferences during simulated boating journeys. Paper prototypes, physical models, and high fidelity 'clickable' prototypes were used to evaluate the holistic experience of our concepts.
Design & Prototyping
Initial design exploration covered a range of options to determine the best combinations of attributes that aligned with project goals and strategies. We worked with cross-functional engineering teams and international suppliers within and outside of Mercury.
Focusing on user needs, access to critical boating information, such as speed, battery state of charge, range, power output, and depth were necessary to address top boater concerns and instill confidence. Physical interactions while using the product was a top context consideration during concept exploration and refinement.
As concepts started to take shape, we explored low-energy, small-screen IBN, TFT, LCD, and E-ink display technologies and their limitations. We selected IBN segmented display technology as it provided durable, cost effective, energy efficient and sunlight readable characteristics that complimented and enhanced aspects of our marine UI experience.
Refinements
Feature development was prioritized based on user feedback and technical feasibility. Supplier collaboration was key at this phase as we pushed available technology to its limit. Over 120 Individual IBN segments were designed and independently spaced to communicate live data and critical information in a 4" x 3" display package.
Going into design refinements and prototyping, the project scope expanded. The integrated UI solution would also need to function as a standalone interface to pair with multiple Avator outboard models and boat applications.
Solution
The Mercury Avator 7.5e integrated display enables the electric outboard motor to provide all the necessary information for an electric marine journey. Designed for a premium appearance and convenient placement on the motor, it offers quick access to motor data via navigation buttons.
Selectable Data
All boaters are unique and prefer different information at different times depending on boating activity, boat type, and environmental conditions. To accommodate these needs, users can select engine speed, battery percentage, and range estimates, with information displayed in full color for easy digestion, even in direct sunlight. Common colors—green for good and red for warnings/alarms—allow users to quickly assess the motor's status at a glance.
Mission Critical Communication
Legibility was a primary concern to minimize time spent reading data and to reduce data overload, allowing operators to quickly monitor information on the go and when swapping data types. Throughout development, sunlight-readability testing was conducted in varying weather conditions at multiple reading distances to ensure appropriate accessibility. To address range anxiety, emphasis was placed on battery percentage, available range and low battery states – with increasing levels of attention as the battery approaches zero.
Visual Accessibility
High Contrast, sun-light readable and brightness control
Energy Efficient
Enhanced efficiency with a low power-draw display
Proactive Reminders
Three levels of progressing low battery reminders
Display Settings
Customizable settings allow users to tailor control preferences and priorities to their unique needs. Settings are available within the data carousel that users can toggle to. Once settings is selected, users can adjust throttle direction (ambidextrous) and units of measure. As a familiar marine display experience, users can also change display brightness by tapping the power button. Holding the power button will prompt a countdown sequence until powered off.
Display Flexibility
For boat applications that feature a steering wheel and throttle controls, a remote display is offered to be flush mounted or placed in an adjustable bracket. These applications required different physical interactions compared to the integrated display, but yet still leverage all the same display information.
Results
Product Recognition
The designed product has garnered international acclaim, winning numerous prestigious marine & design awards for its innovation and excellence.
Project Challenges
Developing a product with numerous limitations, novel experiences, and a new fuel source required balancing creativity with constraints while adapting to unfamiliar technologies. All of the layered complexities in many aspects of the product made it increasingly difficult to develop a simple and easy to use product. As an example, the chosen IBN display technology offered many benefits to the UI design and visibility but also had many limitation: display segments to communicate information, along with color limitations, and segment spacing restrictions. These constraints ultimately restricted the designs complexity and the amount of information that can be displayed at a time.
Electric Outboard Boat Motor
Integrated
Digital
Display
Project Description
Design Mercury's first all-electric outboard for diverse boat types and global applications.
Company
Mercury Marine
Design Team
Thomas Weger
Jacob Neuman
Mark Henker
Role
UI/UX Design
Duration
2021 – 2023
Timeline
Exploration to final designs in ~1.5 years
Background
With growing popularity of electric products, many companies recognize the market opportunity, but none are as trusted or have the size and industry market share of Mercury Marine. As an industry leader, Mercury is seizing the chance to invest and dominate the expanding electric market, while also addressing increasing environmental concerns by offering electric propulsion solutions that allow boating on both previously and newly protected waterways.
Process
Research & Planning
Primary, secondary, and analogous industry research uncovered opportunities, challenges, and user needs for markets internationally. Based on key findings and insights, we defined target user groups and outlined key features aligned with user needs, market trends, and broader Mercury strategies.
Primary research activities included interviews with electric boat users aiming to capture their typical boating journey and experiences with existing products. Secondary research gathered from design partners provided additional observations and user sentiments, informing the development of electrification user groups. Informed personas were then developed per user group to provide a human-centered framework to guide design work and decisions across project teams.
These opportunities drove our focus toward small vessels with constrained space, lacking traditional helms and mounted displays, necessitating the development of an all-in-one, integrated, and portable solution. Understanding user groups and their holistic boating journey was an integral step towards ideation and developing desirable experiences.
Set-up
Charge
On/Off
Go
Boating
Battery
Status
Return
Home
Initial Concepting
In parallel with physical product development, we explored small format displays, various form-factors, and display technologies to establish a realistic foundation for concept exploration. Utilizing gathered user insights, we determined information architecture and visual hierarchy through rapid sketches, wireframes, and preliminary user testing. By conceptualizing and refining these elements in tandem with the physical design, we achieved a thoughtful and intentional integration of physical and digital interfaces.
Testing & Optimization
We conducted testing through various project phases to ensure intuitiveness and ease-of-use, with an emphasis on simplifying available information at a glance. User feedback was gathered through moderated open-ended usability studies to capture interactions and preferences during simulated boating journeys. Paper prototypes, physical models, and high fidelity 'clickable' prototypes were used to evaluate the holistic experience of our concepts.
Design & Prototyping
Initial design exploration covered a range of options to determine the best combinations of attributes that aligned with project goals and strategies. We worked with cross-functional engineering teams and international suppliers within and outside of Mercury.
Focusing on user needs, access to critical boating information, such as speed, battery state of charge, range, power output, and depth were necessary to address top boater concerns and instill confidence. Physical interactions while using the product was a top context consideration during concept exploration and refinement.
As concepts started to take shape, we explored low-energy, small-screen IBN, TFT, LCD, and E-ink display technologies and their limitations. We selected IBN segmented display technology as it provided durable, cost effective, energy efficient and sunlight readable characteristics that complimented and enhanced aspects of our marine UI experience.
Refinements
Feature development was prioritized based on user feedback and technical feasibility. Supplier collaboration was key at this phase as we pushed available technology to its limit. Over 120 Individual IBN segments were designed and independently spaced to communicate live data and critical information in a 4" x 3" display package.
Going into design refinements and prototyping, the project scope expanded. The integrated UI solution would also need to function as a standalone interface to pair with multiple Avator outboard models and boat applications.
Solution
The Mercury Avator 7.5e integrated display enables the electric outboard motor to provide all the necessary information for an electric marine journey. Designed for a premium appearance and convenient placement on the motor, it offers quick access to motor data via navigation buttons.
Selectable Data
All boaters are unique and prefer different information at different times depending on boating activity, boat type, and environmental conditions. To accommodate these needs, users can select engine speed, battery percentage, and range estimates, with information displayed in full color for easy digestion, even in direct sunlight. Common colors—green for good and red for warnings/alarms—allow users to quickly assess the motor's status at a glance.
Mission Critical Communication
Legibility was a primary concern to minimize time spent reading data and to reduce data overload, allowing operators to quickly monitor information on the go and when swapping data types. Throughout development, sunlight-readability testing was conducted in varying weather conditions at multiple reading distances to ensure appropriate accessibility. To address range anxiety, emphasis was placed on battery percentage, available range and low battery states – with increasing levels of attention as the battery approaches zero.
Visual Accessibility
High Contrast, sun-light readable and brightness control
Energy Efficient
Enhanced efficiency with a low power-draw display
Proactive Reminders
Three levels of progressing low battery reminders
Display Settings
Customizable settings allow users to tailor control preferences and priorities to their unique needs. Settings are available within the data carousel that users can toggle to. Once settings is selected, users can adjust throttle direction (ambidextrous) and units of measure. As a familiar marine display experience, users can also change display brightness by tapping the power button. Holding the power button will prompt a countdown sequence until powered off.
Display Flexibility
For boat applications that feature a steering wheel and throttle controls, a remote display is offered to be flush mounted or placed in an adjustable bracket. These applications required different physical interactions compared to the integrated display, but yet still leverage all the same display information.
Results
Product Recognition
The designed product has garnered international acclaim, winning numerous prestigious marine & design awards for its innovation and excellence.
Project Challenges
Developing a product with numerous limitations, novel experiences, and a new fuel source required balancing creativity with constraints while adapting to unfamiliar technologies. All of the layered complexities in many aspects of the product made it increasingly difficult to develop a simple and easy to use product. As an example, the chosen IBN display technology offered many benefits to the UI design and visibility but also had many limitation: display segments to communicate information, along with color limitations, and segment spacing restrictions. These constraints ultimately restricted the designs complexity and the amount of information that can be displayed at a time.