GVR – Futuring Design

Discover and Define

Research

Our research journey started with in-depth qualitative research conducted in selected cities in India to understand the product, user, retail environment, and market culture and draw a detailed design brief. Observing pump attendants gave us clear insights into the drawbacks of existing machines and the needs of the customers as well as the client.

Ergonomic analysis

We set up tests to validate the ergonomic proportions suitable for the Indian market. We paid special attention to visibility for the customer inside the car as well as the attendant operating the dispenser. This helped us fine tune proportions and provided us with valuable insight while designing the Latitude family of dispensers.

International Market

For a global product like Latitude, it is crucial to analyse pain points from a variety of cultural and geographical perspectives. A global study greatly informed our design process and put forward viewpoints of the customer, attendants as well as pump owners. Additionally, we studied bylaws and regulations from various countries to better understand constraints. Together these activities helped us create a product that performs consistently regardless of where in the world it is used.

Design and Detail

Concept Generation

After a thorough reseearch and analysis activity, we generate a wide variety of concepts that address those issues. After several iterations and refinement stages, we narrow down the concepts to a few viable options.

LATITUDE

Overall design stands robust yet maintains a soft elegant look by blending in all the key components of the dispenser.

Thoughtfully designed. From start to ﬁnish

Control Display Module

The CDM box is the all in one command centre for Latitude fuel dispensers. The module is designed for maximum efficency, utility and convenience. It is designed keeping in mind the experience of the attendant as well as the customer.

Research Findings

During the day sunlight reflects on the flat displays rendering them unreadable.

Hose Management
System

The hose management system allows for extension and automatic retraction of the hose eliminating hose drag and tanglement, increasing efficiency and reducing wear and tear. The modular retraction cassettes mean they can be added for use in 4p dispensers as well.

Research Findings

Hoses often drag on the floor and end up getting tangled and tread on. This increases the wear and tear and the long term maintainence costs of the dispensers.

Ergonomics

We designed each aspect of the dispensers with ergonomic comfort and efficiency in mind. The angle of the CDM display allows for maximium visibility for both the attendant as well as the customer.

Fatigue free operation

Attendants perform hundreds of operations with the dispenser during their shift, so their comfort and convenience is absolutely vital to better customer service and operational efficiency. Perfectly positioned screens and input areas as well as a comfortable nozzle height reduce attendant fatigue.

Durability

The unique canopy design eliminates water collection on the top. Additionally the cdm box is secured using a curved gasket that channels water and ensure no water collection. This means that Latitide is easy to clean and maintain.

Research Findings

Water collection and corrosion can damage body panels. This can reduce increase downtime caused by repairs and hamper the longevity of the dispenser.

Product Illumination

Curved lighting panel

The large curved canopy light illuminates the dispenser as well as the forecourt around it.

Light Guide

The indicative Light guide around the canopy communicates the pumps status.

Keypad Lighting Zone

The angled keypad as well as a dedicated lighting zone means efficient and easy use day or night.

Intuitive Interfaces

The interface for the CDM box was designed with efficiency and clarity in mind. Clear indications for price, amount, fuel and the pump number make for easy viewing, from up close by or at a distance.

Visibility

It can often be difficult for attendants to communicate with each other from behind dispensers. The open design allows for better vocal and visual communication while also providing a space for shared storing payment devices.

Research Findings

Communication is key to improving throughput and efficiency. A lack of clear communication can lead to errors and an unpleasant experience for attendants and customers.

Service Made Easy

Special attention was paid to ensure ease of access for after-sales servicing and maintenance. Latitudes CDM box design allows for a hassle-free servicing experience for the technician. Simply unlock the hinged front panel to gain immediate access to the components inside.

Research Findings

The control display module contains all the electronic components and thus one of the most common component to require service or repair. Making the machine easier to service on-site reduces downtime and results in improved throughput.

Modularity and Scale

Latitudes parts and components were designed to be modular and scale to fit all models in the range.

Branding

A large area was dedicated to the branding of both the company as well as its products. The base provides maximum real estate for brand visibility and even promotional space.

Latitude Family of Dispensers

Accelerate and Scale

Prototype

The final mockup showcased all components accurately and give a true sense of the final product.

Golden Sample

The finished product is a fully functional dispenser made with true to life materials and components. This sample was shipped to Dubai for the Latitude product launch.

Design for Manufacturing and Assembly

The crossfunctional team at Futuring and Gilbarco worked on design detailing with a goal of building a well designed product. The team focussed on structural design of large pressed metal parts, plastic components, lighting details and fit feel finish. This approch helped in ensuring seamless assemblies and a superior professional equipment which will ensure desired perfomance over the years.

The collaborative working ensured a superior aesthetics, well designed experiential product with many firsts in this sector.

A complete task analysis of the assembly process was imagined which allowed us to address issues and simplify them, making the assembly more efficient. During this design process, every attention was given to user experience, ergonomics, functionality, serviceability, manufacturing, logistics, guidelines and regulations.