What to Consider When Choosing a Dashboard Display for Outdoor Power Equipment

Where to begin

Asking the right questions will help guide the development process to the desired outcome. Engineering teams already familiar with UX design can still benefit from charting a roadmap to the ideal solution so that no decision is overlooked.

Regardless of the time or resources you can dedicate to the project, there are different levels of support available to those seeking a light assist to full backing for a completely designed display and graphic interface. The consultative process with your design partner should focus on form, fit, function and cost considerations such as:

Where must the display fit and what mounting options must you consider?

• Replacing a standard gauge cluster with a touchscreen may necessitate further design changes that are not apparent at first but that you must plan for.
• There are various sizes of touchscreen displays in the market. Being aware of how much dash real estate you are willing to utilize is an important step you do not want to forget.
• Integration of multiple displays into a single touchscreen display can save space.

What conditions will your machine be exposed to?

• It is challenging to design for a weather-beaten dashboard as opposed to a climate-controlled cabin. Sealing technology is especially important so that your equipment won’t let your customers down in tough operating environments. An IP67-rated solution can withstand some of the worst dust, grime and water.
• Does your machine work outside? Your screen will need to be capable of being read in full sunlight.
• Consider how your wiring harness will have to change if you plan to protect the reliability of your electrical system by using a display with an IP67 sealed connector.

How will the display get the data it needs?

• There are several published versions of the CAN specification. If you are planning to connect to the display via CAN, ensure that it’s compatible with the version used by other CAN-enabled devices on the bus.
• Ensure that your display can accept any required non-CAN inputs and outputs, if needed.

What data will be stored, displayed and/or reported?

• A digital touchscreen display can do anything from showing battery life and vehicle/engine speed to allowing the user to control custom vehicle settings.
• The ability to combine engine and diagnostic information into a single interface and share data with other devices enables new possibilities for OEMs, like the display of diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs), maintenance reminders and proprietary messages.

Is passcode protection required?

• Off-road and outdoor power equipment machine safeguards are required to prevent un-wanted users from operating the equipment. Knowing if this functionality will be required of the embedded dashboard display and if it will work in conjunction with your current key switch is another detail that will need to be discovered in the project’s early stages.

Who will design your screens?

• Most digital displays allow you to differentiate your product with custom screens. If your team possesses programming and troubleshooting skills, you might choose to build your custom user interface using in-house talent. Or you may elect to consult experts outside the company.
• If you plan to have your screens developed for you, will the manufacturer of your display work with you to create them?
• If you plan to configure the UI in-house, what development environments does your display support, and does your team have experience working in them? Has your team created a custom UI before?

What level of support will be needed after project completion?

• Does your in-house team have the capacity to make field updates? Or will you require additional support after your product is launched?

How well does your display manufacturer know your industry?

• The OPE industry is evolving, requiring OEMs to adopt more cost-effective means of doing business and more creative ways to reflect the brand identity of their equipment. Strategic alignment around project goals is critical to realizing the full potential of your next big introduction.