HondaConnect / HMI + Companion App

A more connected
way to ride.

A Team Bravo concept exploring how the Honda Rebel 500 display and a companion app can support new riders before, during, and after a ride.

MY CONTRIBUTION

Research & UI design contribution

I primarily contributed to research and supported parts of the UI design. The work shown here is the team’s shared output.

PROJECT CONTEXT

Team Bravo · SCAD
SDES 495 + UXDG 315
Independent redesign concept

Team-designed HondaConnect app and round HMI display — Connecting the companion app with the motorcycle display.

01 / Research

Start with the riding context.

The team visited dealerships to understand the physical display, riding posture, and handlebar controls. These observations informed a focus on essential information and short interactions.

Dealership visits and motorcycle display observations — Field context · Looking beyond the screen to the bike itself.View full size ↗

Four team research takeaways for the HMI — Research synthesis · Physical controls, glanceability, navigation, and notification hierarchy.View full size ↗

Study figures shown in the presentation refer to the team’s shared research.

02 / Experience concept

One journey, two interfaces.

The companion app supports planning and rider connection, while the motorcycle HMI carries relevant information into the ride. Pack Mode, a community heatmap, Bike Bump, and assistance requests form the concept’s connected experience.

HondaConnect companion app and HMI journey — System concept · Continuity before, during, and after a ride.View full size ↗

Pack Mode, community heatmap, Bike Bump and request assistance — Feature scope · Each capability has a place in the app, the HMI, or both.View full size ↗

Four illustrated rider scenarios — Storyboards · Exploring assistance, everyday riding, connecting, and planning.View full size ↗

03 / Interface exploration

Make the round display work as a system.

The mid-fidelity exploration brought home, menu, navigation, vehicle status, and Pack Mode into the same circular format. Seeing the screens together made their information hierarchy and navigation relationships explicit.

Mid-fidelity round HMI screens for home menu navigation vehicle and pack — Mid-fidelity exploration · A shared structure across the core screens.View full size ↗

04 / Design decisions

Show what changed, and why.

Two refinements explain how the team simplified the concept: returning map controls to a D-pad, and moving media into the trip window to give Pack Mode its own page.

Before and after map control design from list menu to D-pad — Map controls · Replacing a TV-style list with a directional control pattern.View full size ↗

Before and after media and Pack Mode navigation — Navigation structure · Media becomes a trip-window toggle; Pack Mode gains a dedicated destination.View full size ↗

05 / Final interface

Keep useful information within reach.

The high-fidelity direction carries a trip information area across screens, with a separate visual treatment for incoming notifications. The following boards show the intended interface behavior rather than measured usability outcomes.

High-fidelity persistent trip information area — Trip window · Fuel, trip, navigation, and media information within a common region.View full size ↗

High-fidelity incoming notifications and alert states — Notification states · A distinct treatment for information that needs attention.View full size ↗

06 / Connected riding

Bring the group into the ride.

Active Pack Mode shows the number of riders in the group and a compass overlay indicating their direction. The D-pad can toggle the overlay while the route remains visible.

Annotated final active Pack Mode interface and D-pad states — Final detail · Group awareness alongside navigation.View full size ↗