avio - touch and go
Integrated interface for air traffic contollers
DURATION:
Oct. 2024 - Feb. 2025
Oct. 2024 - Feb. 2025
MY TASKS:
Field Study • User Interviews • Prototyping • User Testings • Interview to Insight • Interaction Concept • Interface Design
Field Study • User Interviews • Prototyping • User Testings • Interview to Insight • Interaction Concept • Interface Design
SKIP TO CONTENTS
SKIP TO CONTENTS
PROBLEM STATEMENT
Six systems, one controller
PROBLEM STATEMENT
Six systems, one controller
The tower setup is highly complex, consisting of multiple components used to control and coordinate air traffic. A single air traffic controller operates six systems simultaneously, each with its own interface and additional controls.
The tower setup is highly complex, consisting of multiple components used to control and coordinate air traffic. A single air traffic controller operates six systems simultaneously, each with its own interface and additional controls.
Controller Work Station Setup - Systemic Illustration
Controller Work Station Setup - Systemic Illustration
IMPROVING AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL
avio integrates individual systems on a single touch screen and combines them with a touch pen that provides tactile feedback. The concept supports the controllers’ mental model, improves situational awareness and reduces cognitive and physical workload in high-pressure situations.
avio integrates individual systems on a single touch screen and combines them with a touch pen that provides tactile feedback.
The concept supports the controllers’ mental model, improves situational awareness and reduces cognitive and physical workload in high-pressure situations.
IMPROVING AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL
avio integrates individual systems on a single touch screen and combines them with a touch pen that provides tactile feedback.
The concept supports the controllers’ mental model, improves situational awareness and reduces cognitive and physical workload in high-pressure situations.
Process
Process
Tower Field Studies
Tower Field Studies
The process began with field studies at Stuttgart Tower, where our team conducted several shadowing sessions during shifts to better understand the working environment and empathise with the users.
The process began with field studies at Stuttgart Tower, where our team conducted several shadowing sessions during shifts to better understand the working environment and empathise with the users.
Field Studies at Tower Stuttgart Airport
Field Studies at Tower Stuttgart Airport
Understanding an expert user’s mental model
Understanding an expert user’s mental model
Understanding an ATC's workflow was the most essential part of research. Most importantly: the mental model they use to plan the flight coordination. Amongst ATCs, it is called “the picture”.
This is what a “picture” can look like, drawn by an ATC during an interview. They described it as follows:
Understanding an ATC's workflow was the most essential part of research. Most importantly: the mental model they use to plan the flight coordination. Amongst ATCs, it is called “the picture”.
This is what a “picture” can look like, drawn by an ATC during an interview. They described it as follows:
"I usually have a plan for the next five minutes of what’s going to happen."
"I usually have a plan for the next five minutes of what’s going to happen."
Mental model called the "Picture" drawn by an ATC during an interview. Visualizes plane positions, speed, order, distances, and weather conditions.
Process of keeping the "Picture" up to date - according to user descriptions during interviews. The "Picture" has to be mentally updated every few seconds to minutes.
Mental model called the "Picture" drawn by an ATC during an interview. Visualizes plane positions, speed, order, distances, and weather conditions.
Process of keeping the "Picture" up to date - according to user descriptions during interviews. The "Picture" has to be mentally updated every few seconds to minutes.
Key User Insights
Key User Insights
Fragmented systems do not align with ATCs’ mental models.
Multiple input devices decrease users' situational awareness.
Primary information is not represented within the systems.
Fragmented systems do not align with ATCs’ mental models.
Multiple input devices decrease users' situational awareness.
Primary information is not represented within the systems.
INTEGRATING SCATTERED SYSTEMS
How might we integrate key systems to improve air traffic controllers’ situational awareness and make their work safer, more efficient, and more intuitive?
INTEGRATING SCATTERED SYSTEMS
How might we integrate key systems to improve air traffic controllers’ situational awareness and make their work safer, more efficient, and more intuitive?
Build, Test, Improve, Repeat
Build, Test, Improve, Repeat
Paper prototypes were created to test whether everything could be arranged meaningfully within the limited space.
Paper prototypes were created to test whether everything could be arranged meaningfully within the limited space.
Paper prototype for integrated layout
Paper prototype collection of sequencing variants
Paper prototype for integrated layout
Paper prototype collection of sequencing variants
The concept went through 6 iteration states, each including user testing, gathering feedback and evolving the product until our users could confidently use it.
The concept went through 6 iteration states, each including user testing, gathering feedback and evolving the product until our users could confidently use it.
Input device user test
Input device user test
Test setup
Test setup
Solution
Solution
Integrated systems and synchronized key information
Integrated systems and synchronized key information
avio combines six systems into one clear and organized view. By placing information directly where it is needed, it connects each aircraft’s flight data with its planned position in the sequence.
This enables controllers to compare information at a glance and quickly identify when adjustments to the sequence are needed.
avio combines six systems into one clear and organized view. By placing information directly where it is needed, it connects each aircraft’s flight data with its planned position in the sequence.
This enables controllers to compare information at a glance and quickly identify when adjustments to the sequence are needed.
avio interface in full screen. Original size: 49 In screen.
avio interface in full screen. Original size: 49 In screen.
Unified, clear design system
Unified, clear design system
The new design system focuses on a clear visual language, consistent color coding, and improved readability.
The new design system focuses on a clear visual language, consistent color coding, and improved readability.
Excerpt from avio design system
Excerpt from avio design system
Eliminated tool switching and added intuitive pen gesture control
Eliminated tool switching and added intuitive pen gesture control
All functions are quickly accessible through a universal touch pen. Interactions are designed to be intuitive, fast, and aligned with ATCs’ mental model.
For example, controllers can swipe up or down to issue takeoff and landing clearances, or use quick swipes to update an aircraft’s status to the next step in the sequence. This helps them maintain a clear overview of what is planned and what is about to happen next.
All functions are quickly accessible through a universal touch pen. Interactions are designed to be intuitive, fast, and aligned with ATCs’ mental model.
For example, controllers can swipe up or down to issue takeoff and landing clearances, or use quick swipes to update an aircraft’s status to the next step in the sequence. This helps them maintain a clear overview of what is planned and what is about to happen next.
Plane status update via inuitive touch pen gestures
Plane status update via inuitive touch pen gestures
Improved situational awareness via haptic feedback
Improved situational awareness via haptic feedback
The avio touch pen provides feedback without requiring controllers to take their eyes off the airfield. Actions are confirmed through tactile feedback, letting users know when a task has been completed successfully.
Errors and emergencies are communicated through distinct haptic patterns, helping ensure that critical situations are noticed immediately.
The avio touch pen provides feedback without requiring controllers to take their eyes off the airfield. Actions are confirmed through tactile feedback, letting users know when a task has been completed successfully.
Errors and emergencies are communicated through distinct haptic patterns, helping ensure that critical situations are noticed immediately.
Functional prototype for haptic feedback
Functional prototype for haptic feedback
Increased efficiency in sequencing timeline
Increased efficiency in sequencing timeline
The new timeline helps controllers work more efficiently by visualizing the current sequence in relation to real time, making spacing and safety distances immediately visible.
The new timeline helps controllers work more efficiently by visualizing the current sequence in relation to real time, making spacing and safety distances immediately visible.
Intuitive arrival and departure sequencing
Intuitive arrival and departure sequencing
Faster response in emergency situations
Faster response in emergency situations
In critical situations, relevant information is clearly highlighted, helping air traffic controllers respond quickly and confidently without distractions.
In critical situations, relevant information is clearly highlighted, helping air traffic controllers respond quickly and confidently without distractions.
Information hierarchy in emergency situations
Information hierarchy in emergency situations
Recognition and Achievements
Recognition and Achievements
UX Design Award Gold - New Talent 2025
JURY STATEMENT
"Avio brings empathy and clarity to one of the world's most high-stakes environments: air traffic control. With its sleek, pen-based interface and smart integration, Avio reduces cognitive load, supporting faster and more confident decision-making when every second counts. […]"
Lightning Talk Host @ PUSH UX 2025
At PUSH UX, we spoke about avio's process and challenges behind the development, including a product walk through.
New Talent Pitch @ IDZ Member Circle 2026
The Member Circle is a Networking Event by IDZ Berlin where we pitched our thesis project.
The event was held in collaboration with Bosch in Ludwigsburg.
UX Design Award Gold - New Talent 2025
JURY STATEMENT
"Avio brings empathy and clarity to one of the world's most high-stakes environments: air traffic control. With its sleek, pen-based interface and smart integration, Avio reduces cognitive load, supporting faster and more confident decision-making when every second counts. […]"
Lightning Talk Host @ PUSH UX 2025
At PUSH UX, we spoke about avio's process and challenges behind the development, including a product walk through.
New Talent Pitch @ IDZ Member Circle 2026
The Member Circle is a Networking Event by IDZ Berlin where we pitched our thesis project.
The event was held in collaboration with Bosch in Ludwigsburg.
