Iterative Proto­typing for Smart Ope­rating Armrest

elobau’s aISA - User Experience you can touch

The adaptive operating armrest aISA for tractors, developed together with our customer elobau, adapts intelligently to the attached implement and takes vehicle control to a new level.

  • seit 2012

    successful partnership

  • 4

    adaptive operating modules

  • 1

    lean operating concept for all applications

  • seit 2012

    successful partnership

  • 4

    adaptive operating modules

  • 1

    lean operating concept for all applications

  • Collage of various sketches that visualize the various differentiations and ideas of a handle.
  • Exploded assembly drawing of a rotary knob showing the structure.
Depending on the application, the handle can be operated in various positions – from retracted to fully extended. It is equipped with two buttons and two control wheels and can be extended in four directions. The challenge was to integrate a variety of operating elements intuitively and easily into a handle that can be flexibly adjusted in height.

Concept of the operating elements

Conventional work machines have a large number of static control elements in their operating armrests. Depending on the connected implement, a large number of the controls are redundant and create a complex and confusing overall picture. The aISA operating armrest displays all the operating functions of the devices in a reduced and ergonomic design and only provides the functions of the attachment currently in use. The operating armrest adapts to the respective operating scenario or implement required.

A concept graphic showing the dynamic adjustment of the control armrest using blue arrows.
A concept graphic showing the vertical adaptivity of the armrest handle by means of a blue arrow.
A concept graphic showing the rotation of a button on the armrest by means of a blue arrow.

Design of the components

aISA breaks with the conventional component concepts of other operating armrests. Instead of the typical design of an upper and lower shell made of fiber-reinforced plastic, alSA features a frame as the load-bearing component. The metal of the frame is produced using 3D printing, which is a more sustainable option than using fiber-reinforced plastic, which can only be recycled at great expense. Further advantages of this production method are the elimination of tools and the associated costs, the direct integration of various interfaces for operating elements and cables in the material and greater freedom in terms of formal, aesthetic and ergonomic design.

Exploded view of the control armrest. The supporting frame can be seen in the center, while the various control elements are arranged around it.

Smart features

The aISA system improves working conditions with a user-friendly interface that offers benefits for both less experienced and highly skilled drivers. By adapting to the ISOBUS standard, it makes it easier for manu­facturers to integrate it into their vehicles or equipment. It supports individual control through a modular, customizable design that increases the ergonomics and efficiency of operation, accelerating the learning curve and reducing the error rate.

Side view of the control arm rest.
Rendered detailed view of the control armrest with focus on different buttons with backlit icons.

Christian Angermann Senior Industrial Design Engineer and UXMA project manager for this project

  • seit 2012

    successful partnership

  • 4

    adaptive operating modules

  • 1

    lean operating concept for all applications

Cases

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