Exercise: UI Design

8.3. Exercise: UI Design#

Question 1

You are designing a simple user interface for a motorised conveyor belt used in a classroom robotics activity.

The conveyor belt must allow the user to:

  • Start the belt.

  • Stop the belt.

  • Change the belt speed.

  • Know whether the belt is running.

  • Stop the system quickly in an emergency.

Design a simple UI for this system.

In your answer, include:

  • Input controls

  • Output feedback

  • Safety features

  • A short explanation of your layout

Solution

Input controls

  • Green Start button

  • Red Stop button

  • Large red emergency stop button

  • Rotary knob or slider for speed control

Output feedback

  • Green light showing Running

  • Red light showing Stopped

  • Speed display or labelled speed scale

  • Optional buzzer when the conveyor starts

Safety features

  • Emergency stop button placed separately from the normal controls

  • Conveyor should start at low speed by default

  • Speed control should have a clear minimum and maximum

  • System should not restart automatically after emergency stop is reset

Layout explanation

The start and stop buttons should be placed near each other because they are the main controls. The emergency stop should be larger and easier to reach, but separated from the normal buttons so it is not pressed by accident. The speed control should be clearly labelled so the user knows how fast the belt will move.

Question 2

Draw or describe a simple UI layout for the conveyor belt controller from Question 1.

Your layout should show where each control or indicator would be placed.

Solution

Solution is locked

Question 3

You are designing a UI for a small robot arm that can pick up and move lightweight objects.

The robot arm needs the following controls:

  • Move left

  • Move right

  • Move up

  • Move down

  • Open gripper

  • Close gripper

  • Stop movement

Design a simple UI for this robot arm.

Solution

Solution is locked

Question 4

Improve the robot arm UI from Question 3 for a user who has low vision.

What changes would you make?

Solution

Solution is locked

Question 5

Choose one mechatronic system and design your own simple UI for it.

You may choose one of these systems or create your own:

  • Automatic pet feeder

  • Smart door lock

  • Motorised curtain opener

  • Line-following robot

  • Mini elevator model

  • Automatic plant watering system

Your answer should include:

  • The system you chose

  • The user goal

  • Inputs

  • Outputs

  • Safety features

  • A simple sketch or written layout

Solution

Solution is locked