2025
HITACHI
interaction
HITACHI User Testing
THE PROJECT
CONTEXT
Developed with Hitachi Europe, this project explored driver cabin ergonomics through immersive user testing. The goal was to evaluate the Landcros One concept against two existing Hitachi excavator models and gather actionable feedback from professional operators across Europe.
ROLE
We designed and delivered the full testing experience, combining virtual environment creation, custom tools, DigiPHY integration, physical setup, tracking systems and qualitative observation into a single evaluation platform, fully developed in Unreal Engine 5.
THE SHIFT
From design assumption to validated operator feedback
The challenge was not only to visualize a new excavator concept, but to test it against real usage expectations. We created a controlled yet realistic environment to compare multiple cabins and translate operator responses into concrete development directions.
“Providing a clear, actionable report that translates data into concrete directions.”
Ale Argenio, Chief UX Design
APPROACH
SENSE
We structured the project around direct comparison between the newly developed Landcros One concept and two existing Hitachi excavator models, involving 20 professional operators from across Europe. The testing framework was built to capture both quantitative responses and qualitative behavioral insights.
SHAPE
We created a realistic construction environment and integrated the three excavator models for side-by-side evaluation. This allowed users to assess the concept in authentic operating scenarios rather than abstract design reviews, grounding feedback in context and usability.
MAKE
We developed a full immersive testing platform in Unreal Engine 5 using a tablet-controlled questionnaire system, DigiPHY auto-alignment, Qualisys tracking, a physical seat setup, tracked objects, and multi-camera recording. This enabled precise ergonomic validation inside VR while preserving physical interaction fidelity.
“Aligning the physical and digital position through DigiPHY’s auto-alignment feature.”
Lukasz Czekanowski, Chief Interaction Design
OUTCOME
WHAT CHANGED
Extending immersive validation beyond automotive
This project showed how DigiPHY and mixed-reality testing can be adapted to industrial machinery, enabling realistic ergonomic studies in new sectors. It also provided Hitachi with clear evidence to guide the further development of the Landcros One concept.
