OVERVIEW:
MINI circular interface cockpit
ROLE:
UX Customer Expert (Concept Refinement)
TOOLS:
Figma, Jira, In-house Tools
MINI Interaction Unit
about.
The MINI Interaction Unit’s round display was eye-catching and fun, but it also came with unique usability challenges. As a UX Customer Expert, my job was to evaluate whether the interface supported quick, glance-based interaction while driving, despite its unconventional shape.
challenge.
MINI’s new Interaction Unit introduced a bold departure from traditional in-car interfaces: a fully circular touchscreen combined with voice interaction, an animated personal assistant ("Spike"), and AR-based navigation. My challenge as a UX Customer Expert was to evaluate whether this novel system was intuitive, safe, and emotionally resonant, especially given the unfamiliar screen geometry and the shift toward multimodal voice interaction.
action.
Working directly with cross-functional teams in HMI, UI, and Voice UX, I conducted scenario-based testing in real vehicles. I assessed layout logic, hit-zone accuracy, and glanceability within the circular display. I also evaluated how clearly Spike communicated feedback and whether voice commands felt natural and timely. For nav users, I focused on the visibility of turn-by-turn instructions and route planning under real-world pressures.
result.
My insights led to refinements in the touch layout, voice response behavior, and navigation clarity across the new MINI Operating System 9. I also helped shape Spike’s personality to better reflect MINI’s playful brand while maintaining clear usability. Since its launch in November 2023, this interface has been deployed in approximately 140,000 vehicles worldwide, delivering a more fun and responsive experience. The project stands out as one of MINI’s most ambitious interface innovations to date, redefining in-car interaction for a global audience.
final thoughts.
On the road, trust is earned in seconds. In a development team, it takes a few more turns.
In a cross-functional setting, great ideas need more than just logic, they need traction. As the friendly outsider in a high-speed, high-stakes environment, I made it my mission to build real relationships with designers, developers, and engineers. That meant sharing insights with honesty, warmth, and just the right amount of persistence.
With patience, heart, and a well-organized glovebox full of notes, I’m proud to have contributed to MINI’s most expressive interface yet—and helped make it feel intuitive, not just iconic.
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