ACE (Advanced Car Eye) 3.0 Dashcam for BMW / MINI
The third generation of BMW/MINI's Dashcam was launched in over 70 countries from 2022 to 2026
Thinkware secured the supply contract for BMW Group's ACE 3.0 (BMW Dashcam: Advanced Car Eye 3.0) in 2021, covering all BMW and MINI models and set to be used in over 70 countries. This project contract was one of the key projects significantly impacting the company's revenue. Many relevant departments collaborated to carry out the project, and as the UX designer and project leader representing the Design Center at Thinkware, I coordinated all design-related issues and negotiated with BMW.
Process
The UX process was defined in consultation with the BMW Group, and at each stage of the process, we collaborated closely with the Industrial Design
and Mechanical Engineering departments within the Thinkware Design Center to ensure consistency between the hardware and software of the dashcam.
Definition of main scenarios
Definition of Key screens
Wireframe, Use Flows
Proposal and discussion of
Key screen designs
Prototyping
Usability Evaluation
Bug Report
Handling Development Issues
Additional Feature Updates
Maintenance and Support
This portfolio specifically highlights key components of the overall process, providing a focused representation of the work involved.
Preparation of dashcam
UX concept document
& proposal presentation
for project acquisition to
the BMW Group
> Project acquisition completed
Issues related to connectivity dissatisfaction.
The connection keeps getting disconnected
36%
The connection is not working
25%
The connection process is not smooth 15%
The error guide is inadequate 14%
85%
Types of dissatisfaction
Customer review analysis for Google Play Store and Apple App Store
2018.09 ~2021.02, Google Play Store and Apple App Store reviews
Video
Download
52%
Video
Playback
10%
Firmware
Update
10%
21%
Others
Connectivity
issues
Usability analysis for the previous model, ACE 2.0
We analyzed user reviews on app stores and IT device channels regarding the key usability of ACE 2.0.
The primary issue identified among user dissatisfaction was the connectivity problem between the phone and the dashcam (ACE 2.0).
Therefore, proposing improvements to address this connectivity issue became the top priority.
Review 700+
Review 210+
Proposal 1
Approaching to enhance connection success rate and speed
When connecting the mobile phone and the dashcam (ACE 2.0), users had to deal with the hassle of manually setting up complex Wi-Fi connections. Especially when using Wi-Fi, restrictions on mobile data usage could cause issues with no internet access. Through UX improvement and development reviews, we introduced a new usage scenario. Now users can easily start the initial connection using Bluetooth between the dashcam and the phone and later switch to Wi-Fi as needed. This proposal was discussed and finalized in collaboration with BMW. As a result, users can now minimize inconveniences during the connection process by choosing their preferred connection method.
Connection
success rate
80%
OVER
Connection time
20 sec
UNDER
Connection time
45 sec
No internet access
(Wi-Fi Only)
Connecting
Wi-Fi
On
Return to
the app
Connection
Complete
Password
Confirmation
Pairing
Complete
Registration
(First Time Only)
Video Download/
Firmware Update
Switch to Wi-Fi
Automatically transmit
Wi-Fi connection
information via BT
Connection
Complete
Wi-Fi settings
(OS)
Enter P/W manually during the initial connection
Wi-Fi
selection
Entering
Registration guide
Home screen
Wi-Fi connection
switch confirmation
Connection
(Registered)
Registration and connection process is simple
Switch freely between
BT/Wi-Fi as needed
Difficulty in the connection process
Connection
success rate
30%
Entering
Home screen
Proposal 2
Connection scenario to improve technical issues
When using ACE 2.0 app simultaneously with Android Auto or CarPlay while driving, users experienced connection problems caused by Wi-Fi connection interference, leading to functionality problems. Unfortunately, users were not provided with proper guidance in such scenarios. To address this issue, we proposed to BMW Group the implementation of clear and situation-specific guides for app usage and BMW Group actively accepted our proposal and they were successfully implemented to ACE 3.0 usage scenaio.
Entering
Registration guide
Home screen
Wi-Fi connection
Switch confirmation
Video Download/
Firmware Update
BT
Pairing
Guide
Android
Auto
Error
Guide
CarPlay
Error
Guide
Wi-Fi
Connection
Error
Guide
Connection
success rate
80%
Connection
success rate
80 + %
The BMW Group carefully reviewed and approved the response scenarios for errors in the entire USAGE scenario after a detailed examination and discussion.
Registration
(First-time)
BT
connection
guide
LED status guide
Retry
Connection
Connection
(Registered)
Connection
Complete?
Retry
Connection
Provide suitable error guides
based on OS, iDrive version,
and connection status
Switch to Wi-Fi
Connection
Complete?
Retry connection
through error guide
Connection
Complete?
Results of Improving Connection Performance
By changing the connection method and enhancing the scenario, we significantly increased the connection success rate and substantially reduced the connection time. We have delivered the improvement results report to BMW based on the final Software Acceptance criteria, and received positive feedback for the connection aspect.
Enhancements in Usability Beyond Connection Improvement
We aimed to enhance the overall user experience of the app, going beyond addressing connectivity issues. Every screen that underwent changes compared to ACE 2.0 required approval from the BMW group. Actively suggesting improvements for screens in need, we successfully introduced the enhanced screens after thorough scenario reviews and discussions.
Utilizing Card Sorting Methodology for Ideal setting Information Grouping
A main screen that intuitively conveys the identity of the product
Offering product images
and app skin tailored to the selected brand (BMW/MINI)
Utilizing pop-ups to provide necessary
information at the right moments
Providing hints that clearly expose key features before entering
The home screen clearly presents dashcam registration and connection status through product images, ensuring a distinct display of the BMW and MINI brand identities. By reorganizing the information based on the attributes and priorities of the displayed content, we structured a well-organized screen.
We utilized the card sorting methodology to organize information, grouping it based on individual attributes. We simplified the title and value display areas, structured complex settings into additional sub-menus, and implemented intuitive control components tailored to each attribute.
Utilizing intuitive components
To meet the client's request for displaying thumbnails even in a slow BT connection, we reduced thumbnail size and presented them in a list format, decreasing the number of thumbnails per screen.
This resulted in shorter loading times and facilitated easier file navigation with time information.
The all phrases for ACE 3.0 Dashcam and the app were initially written in Korean from a user perspective. Subsequently, a usability evaluation for UX writing was conducted with 10 Korean users. The final Korean version was then translated into English, and the English version was finalized in collaboration with BMW representatives. Following this, the English version served as the basis for translations into languages for the planned release countries.
I identified and revised unclear aspects and confusing descriptions in ACE 2.0's dashcam and app through discussions. Additionally, I organized multilingual phrases processed by the translation agency into a UX writing integration document, providing developers with guidance on the correct implementation.
UX writing
validation
UX Writing and Multilingual Translation Management
Improvement of
37 Existing
Phrases
Continuously
Addressing VOC
Switch to Wi-Fi for displaying more information on the screen
Other Usability Enhancements
We made efforts to not only address connectivity issues but also to enhance the usability of every screen in the app, upgrading the overall look and feel for a better user experience in ACE 3.0. We conducted online meetings twice a week with the BMW group, creating UX Proposal documents for each screen. We persuaded them and discussed detailed UX/UI improvements. We also redefined the AUI sounds for each USAGE CASE and actively participated in sound production. Additionally, we defined the consistent operational behavior of buttons (PUI) and LEDs for different scenarios in the Dashcam (ACE 3.0), maintaining a cohesive connectivity between the app and the Dashcam.
Proposing Solutions to Address the Issue
Discussion and Revision of UX proposal documents for weekly online meetings
Mid-Fidelity Prototyping to Align Understanding with the Client and Define Information Architecture (IA) and Screen Workflow in the UX Concept Stage
Scan the QR code to view the prototype on your phone.
Mechanical
Engineering
Department
UX
Department
Project
Leader
Design Center
Participated in determining the design components of form, CMF, mockup evaluation, button sizes, and positions based on ergonomic data for in-car dashcam users, reflecting the client's identity.
Participated in determining the dashcam's parting line, internal circuit board interconnection method, tactile feedback when pressing buttons, and securing internal space.
Sharing and Discussing Proposal Documents with BMW Group.
Planned and managed the design of the UX for the dashcam and the app.
Performing the role of a project leader
As the ACE 3.0 project leader at the Design Center, I collaborated with team leaders from the Industrial Design and Mechanical Engineering departments to address all issues related to ACE. This collaboration proved extremely valuable in maintaining the product design and user interface identity consistency for the dashcam. Utilizing these insights, I engaged in discussions with BMW, aligning on various matters. This successful performance over a year and a half led to receiving the Outstanding Employee Award in 2022 for effectively managing the design project and implementing dashcams for BMW Group. Currently, I continue to work with BMW on handling development issues, additional feature updates, maintenance, and supporting ACE's functionality upgrades.
Industrial
Design
Department
Copyright © 2024 Min Suk Kang. All rights reserved.