Not only a portable satellitar navigator
A portable navigation system able to work not only as GPS navigator but also as terminal for the Internet navigation. EasyRoad3G has been introduced in cars of Fiat Group such as Fiat 500 and Alfa Romeo MiTo. It has been showed for the first time at Paris Motorshow 2008.
What we built
The result of this project has been a portable navigation system not able only to guide users during their driving activity but also to be used to check other info and data. Thanks to the Internet connection and to the applications installed, Easyroad3G allows the user to check:
The following picture shows the aim and possibilities of the connected device. 
What I have done
As UX/UI designer I was the responsible for the User Interface design of the device. I realized, together with the Microsoft Innovation Center of Turin, a versatile and handy solution. With a particular attention to the information architecture and to the navigation flow we have worked to EasyRoad 3G trying to organize and shape the big amount of info in the easiest, usable and most clear way from the user point of view.
User flow e Wireframes
I firstly designed a user flow in order to immediately identify the complexity of info to convey through the device. Later I focused on the wireframe design. This activity included the design of all the applications involved and installed in the device. During the wireframing activity I took into consideration the modularity of the several applications. This aspect simplified the developers’ work during the later application implementation. Focusing on the templates and reusable elements I was able to shape a cohesive solution rather than a puzzle of single pieces.
User Interface Design
Using Microsoft Expression Design as suite of tools for the user interface design, I firstly realized different versions of the UI to propose and to debate together with the team. As soon as the style was shared and approved by the team I developed a first mock-up of the UI in HTML and CSS. This mock-up was necessary in order to test the UI navigation with real users. After 5 sessions of tests some improvements and changes were added to the navigation flow and buttons style. The aim was to make an easier and clearer final UI version.
I decided to maintain an innovative style for the icons, colorful and bright. This because when they were positioned on a very dark background they would ensure more readability and visibility from the users’ standpoint.
Finally, the latest activity followed at the end of this process was the exportation of all the graphical elements designed for the UI. This process step was necessary in order to give to developers all the material needed for the final UI implementation on the device.
Results
EasyRoad3G had a great success during the official shows at the main European motorshows and at the Telecom Italia Mobile stores. It has been sold at the Italian TIM stores from 2008 to 2010.
