To Improve
Conversion and analysis of Drone Images into 2D & 3D Maps seamlessly

To Improve
Conversion and analysis of Drone Images into 2D & 3D Maps seamlessly

To Improve
Conversion and analysis of Drone Images into 2D & 3D Maps seamlessly

mining | construction | SAAS | product design

mining | construction | SAAS | product design

The Challenge

The Challenge

The Challenge

Absence of Industrialization in India leads to lack of Digitalization in many Industries. Our major challenge is Tapping into large to mid scale industry, to make their surveys and analysis more efficient, cost-friendly, time-saving and easing the process of handling and sharing Data & Reports.


Minoair is India's first of its kind AI-powered web based software to provide Conversion of Drone data into 2D & 3D maps with confident collaboration among teams.

Absence of Industrialization in India leads to lack of Digitalization in many Industries. Our major challenge is Tapping into large to mid scale industry, to make their surveys and analysis more efficient, cost-friendly, time-saving and easing the process of handling and sharing Data & Reports.


Minoair is India's first of its kind AI-powered web based software to provide Conversion of Drone data into 2D & 3D maps with confident collaboration among teams.

My Roles and Responsibility

My Roles and Responsibility

My Roles and Responsibility

  • To perform thorough User research and deducing potential Target users according to the different profiles and use-cases.

  • To perform thorough User research and deducing potential Target users according to the different profiles and use-cases.

  • To make anytime-anywhere sharing and collaboration smooth and accessible.

  • To make anytime-anywhere sharing and collaboration smooth and accessible.

  • To Create stand-out product through benchmarking global products.

  • To Create stand-out product through benchmarking global products.

  • To Redesign an existing system to improve its Experience and Interface.

  • To Redesign an existing system to improve its Experience and Interface.

Design Process

Design Process

Design Process

The project is truly based on balanced User and Market Centric Design Process in order to focus on the user problem and Business requirements to ensure that product meet the need of Target Audience and stand-out in Indian market. I decided to break down the project into different phases as mentioned below.

The project is truly based on balanced User and Market Centric Design Process in order to focus on the user problem and Business requirements to ensure that product meet the need of Target Audience and stand-out in Indian market. I decided to break down the project into different phases as mentioned below.

Discovery

Discovery

Discovery

Defining

Defining

Defining

Ideation

Ideation

Ideation

Design

Design

Design

Discover

Understanding Business...

Understanding Business...

Understanding Business...

The efficient way to learn about the business is to Interogate the founders. I performed a stakeholder Interview session and learned about the Industry and the company to align myself with the company’s Vison and to discover the future possibilities.

The efficient way to learn about the business is to Interogate the founders. I performed a stakeholder Interview session and learned about the Industry and the company to align myself with the company’s Vison and to discover the future possibilities.

Primary Objectives

  • To Understand about Drone mapping technology and analysis in Mining & Construction industry.

  • To Understand about Drone mapping technology and analysis in Mining & Construction industry.

  • To Identify target market and current userbase

  • To Identify target market and current userbase

  • To Identify our Direct and Indirect competitors.

  • To Identify our Direct and Indirect competitors.

  • To learn the potential users and growth metrics of the company.

  • To learn the potential users and growth metrics of the company.

  • To Discover the goals, vison, scope of improvements, etc.

  • To Discover the goals, vison, scope of improvements, etc.

Me

Founder

Findings from the Interview...

Goal is to build an industry first visual intelligence platform for mining and construction industry using deep technology.

Goal is to build an industry first visual intelligence platform for mining and construction industry using deep technology.

Goal is to build an industry first visual intelligence platform for mining and construction industry using deep technology.

Vision is to become become next mapping infrastructure/stack for this sector.

Vision is to become become next mapping infrastructure/stack for this sector.

Vision is to become become next mapping infrastructure/stack for this sector.

Minoair offers complete enterprise drone solutions on our comprehensive platform.

Minoair offers complete enterprise drone solutions on our comprehensive platform.

Minoair offers complete enterprise drone solutions on our comprehensive platform.

it provides end-to-end solutions that turn aerial data and IoT into actionable business intelligence for industries.

it provides end-to-end solutions that turn aerial data and IoT into actionable business intelligence for industries.

it provides end-to-end solutions that turn aerial data and IoT into actionable business intelligence for industries.

Currently working with 12+ mining site and mapped 3000+ hectare of area and connected 500+ devices to our platform.

Currently working with 12+ mining site and mapped 3000+ hectare of area and connected 500+ devices to our platform.

Currently working with 12+ mining site and mapped 3000+ hectare of area and connected 500+ devices to our platform.

Collecting, storing and analysing spatial and IoT data is tough as they are in silos.

Collecting, storing and analysing spatial and IoT data is tough as they are in silos.

Collecting, storing and analysing spatial and IoT data is tough as they are in silos.

Minoair provide cloud based plug and play connectors to gather, store and analyse these data to get actionable insight.

Minoair provide cloud based plug and play connectors to gather, store and analyse these data to get actionable insight.

Minoair provide cloud based plug and play connectors to gather, store and analyse these data to get actionable insight.

Our USP is Minoair’s Huge number of integration with different stack of IoT, Scada, SAP etc.

Our USP is Minoair’s Huge number of integration with different stack of IoT, Scada, SAP etc.

Our USP is Minoair’s Huge number of integration with different stack of IoT, Scada, SAP etc.

Our users are mostly Professionals such as Industrial Owners, Managers, Technicians, Surveyors, Analysts etc.

Our users are mostly Professionals such as Industrial Owners, Managers, Technicians, Surveyors, Analysts etc.

Our users are mostly Professionals such as Industrial Owners, Managers, Technicians, Surveyors, Analysts etc.

Our direct competitors include Drone Deploy, propelleraero & Alteia.

Our direct competitors include Drone Deploy, propelleraero & Alteia.

Our direct competitors include Drone Deploy, propelleraero & Alteia.

Strength of our competitors is their User freindly seamless product experience and go to market strategies.

Strength of our competitors is their User freindly seamless product experience and go to market strategies.

Strength of our competitors is their User freindly seamless product experience and go to market strategies.

Major weakness of our competitor is Pricing and Low penetration in Indian market.

Major weakness of our competitor is Pricing and Low penetration in Indian market.

Major weakness of our competitor is Pricing and Low penetration in Indian market.

Learning from the Interview, I decide to dive deeper into Market and Users…

Empathizing with Users...

Empathizing with Users...

Empathizing with Users...

Learning about business helps us to estimate our potential Target users. To learn deeply about the Users’ Lifestyle, Behavior, needs and pain-points we conducted a Research with diverse existing and potential user groups.

Learning about business helps us to estimate our potential Target users. To learn deeply about the Users’ Lifestyle, Behavior, needs and pain-points we conducted a Research with diverse existing and potential user groups.

Interrogation with existing and potential users

Conducted Interview with Industrial Engineers, Management and Students to learn their pain points and Expectations and to define scope of improvements for better use case.

Given below are few common questions that I included in all the Interactions (not necessarily in chronological order) and objectives behind the questions.

Conducted Interview with Industrial Engineers, Management and Students to learn their pain points and Expectations and to define scope of improvements for better use case.

Given below are few common questions that I included in all the Interactions (not necessarily in chronological order) and objectives behind the questions.

Findings from the Interview...

Pain Points

Pain Points

Pain Points

Difficulty matching workers skills with upcoming technologies.

Difficulty matching workers skills with upcoming technologies.

Difficulty matching workers skills with upcoming technologies.

Easy and efficient Conversion between DSM and DTM is required

Easy and efficient Conversion between DSM and DTM is required

Easy and efficient Conversion between DSM and DTM is required

Finding and Tagging GCPs are important and currently we have to manually fill all the coordinates.

Finding and Tagging GCPs are important and currently we have to manually fill all the coordinates.

Finding and Tagging GCPs are important and currently we have to manually fill all the coordinates.

Interface is not good and it is sometimes difficult for new users to perform tasks.

Interface is not good and it is sometimes difficult for new users to perform tasks.

Interface is not good and it is sometimes difficult for new users to perform tasks.

To gather data on the basis of different use cases and requirements.

To gather data on the basis of different use cases and requirements.

To gather data on the basis of different use cases and requirements.

Data and coordinates are critical so slight mistake could result huge problems.

Data and coordinates are critical so slight mistake could result huge problems.

Data and coordinates are critical so slight mistake could result huge problems.

Absence of Different conversions units as ft, m, hectares, km etc. so we have to manually process those conversions

Absence of Different conversions units as ft, m, hectares, km etc. so we have to manually process those conversions

Absence of Different conversions units as ft, m, hectares, km etc. so we have to manually process those conversions

Comparing has to done manually, through Maps and plans

Comparing has to done manually, through Maps and plans

Comparing has to done manually, through Maps and plans

After Collecting users’ feedback, I tried to understand the market further...

Discovering Market & Competitors...

Discovering Market & Competitors...

Discovering Market & Competitors...

After extracting information and insights about the Industry from Stakeholder and users, I dig deeper into the Industry to learn more about the current trends and technology as well as competitors and tried to find out where we stand in the market.

After extracting information and insights about the Industry from Stakeholder and users, I dig deeper into the Industry to learn more about the current trends and technology as well as competitors and tried to find out where we stand in the market.

Competitors Analysis

After learning more about the industry, I wanted to take a closer look at Minoair’s competitors and how they’re helping their users. Through my market research, I identified some top direct and indirect competitors within the industry across the globe

After learning more about the industry, I wanted to take a closer look at Minoair’s competitors and how they’re helping their users. Through my market research, I identified some top direct and indirect competitors within the industry across the globe

Among all, I picked the Direct competitors and then I looked deeper at their Product Strengths and weaknesses…

Among all, I picked the Direct competitors and then I looked deeper at their Product Strengths and weaknesses…

Strength and Weaknesses of Direct competitors...

Strengths

Through market research, I was able to gain a more thorough understanding. It can process high-resolution photos, photos with fish-eye distortion, thermal images, near-IR images, and multispectral imagery It Effectively allows the algorithm to move photos with high-accuracy coordinates less than those with low-accuracy coordinates Quick guide page present in website for easy learning and Tutorials with detailed Explaination.

process millions of 3D images each week, and hence AI is more powerful Exclusively cloud based platform Accuracy ranges between 1 cm and 5 cm Claims on its website to be capable of volume measurement accuracy within 1-2% of laser methods. 3D textured mesh is possible processes complex vertical and horizontal data into a point cloud 4x as dense as its Terrain mode. offer excellent DSM, DTM, and elevation models with comparable visual quality when used with GCPs. Intuitive and user-friendly interface offers a feature to map and execute the flight plan automatically without needing pilot input.

Hybrid platform. provides Local as well as cloud processing. the ability to collect survey-grade data with <1 cm accuracy. Pix4D claims to perform at 2-5% volumetric accuracy. 3D textured mesh is possible Provides option of filling and smoothing to improve planarity and complete critical areas. offer excellent DSM, DTM, and elevation models with comparable visual quality when used with GCPs. 20+export supported file formats Competitive pricing and affordable for even Small scale businesses. Mobile friendly

Through market research, I was able to gain a more thorough understanding. Use high-precision GPS technology to avoid costly prep work in setting ground control points and get survey-grade accuracy from photo reconstruction. It offers 3D modelling and Cross section creations

Weakness

All positions recorded by global navigation satellite system receivers have inherent error of around 1-10 meters which is caused by various sources, meaning the given location is not the exact location. Costyly and more or less preferrably used by Agriculture industries.

Taking multiple GCPs is possible but at some extra cost of around $49 even with sufficient GCPs and checkpoints low accuracy. The only export supported file types are JPG, GeoTIFF, DXF/SHP, ShapeFile, OBJ, LAS, XYZ, RCP, PDF, and ZIP. DroneDeploy is more complicated with its pricing model and has raised its fees considerably in recent years.

Lowers accuracy despite several user anecdotes of considerably better results it is a fairly difficult platform to navigate and to learn. Multiple softwares and platform for diffrent kind of tasks, not an aggregated software.

Through market research, I was able to gain a more thorough understanding Pit optimization and risk management features are not available Fence disgrams and Log map creation is not feasible

Strengths

Weakness

Strengths

Weakness

Strengths

Weakness

Strengths

Weakness

Define

Now we will define overall data and pain-points in a way that it make sense, so that further Information could be extracted to derive a solution...

Target Group Personas

Target Group Personas

Target Group Personas

We already learned that our Target User base is little and restricted. So I divided the Target users into three category on the basis of their product use cases.

We already learned that our Target User base is little and restricted. So I divided the Target users into three category on the basis of their product use cases.

Surveyors and Analysts

Surveyors and Analysts

Surveyors
and
Analysts

Project Managers and Team Leads

Project Managers and Team Leads

General Managers and HODs

General Managers and HODs

Functions

Functions

Functions

Users who interact with our product majorly, and their work mostly revolves around it.

Frequent Users

Users who use our product to draw project based insights for Decision making.

Moderate Users

Users who use our product to monitor the overall project system.

Occasional users

Goals

Goals

Goals

Conduct Drone flights and gather different Images as well as GCPs.

Process drone image through mapping tools and create projects for different sites.

Evaluate different data points to create detailed analysis report.

Evaluate relevant data points to understand the progress.

Multiple analysis to measure the growth rate.

Create a plan or compare previous and existing plans.

Compare multiple analysis reports and draw important highlights for decision making.

Measure overall running status

Pains

Pains

Pains

Require better experience for fast process.

Report management is an issue.

Uploading GCPs coordinates is a manual process

Uploading process is slow

comparison report generation is not possible

Easy and efficient Conversion between DSM and DTM is required.

Interface is not good and it is sometimes difficult to perform tasks.

Project Managers and Team Leads

Functions

Users who use our product to draw project based insights for Decision making.

Moderate Users

Goals

Evaluate relevant data points to understand the progress.

Multiple analysis to measure the growth rate.

Create a plan or compare previous and existing plans.

Pains

comparison report generation is not possible

Easy and efficient Conversion between DSM and DTM is required.

General Managers and HODs

Functions

Users who use our product to monitor the overall project system.

Occasional users

Goals

Compare multiple analysis reports and draw important highlights for decision making.

Measure overall running status

Pains

Interface is not good and it is sometimes difficult to perform tasks.

User Centered Design Canvas (UCDC)

User Centered Design Canvas (UCDC)

User Centered Design Canvas (UCDC)

we created a UCDC to get a better overview of User vs Business requirements and to determine the overall product health compared to market

we created a UCDC to get a better overview of User vs Business requirements and to determine the overall product health compared to market

Ideate

Application Map

Application Map

Application Map

To start planning the architecture of the application and where these features would fit into it, I created an application map to organize the screens in a way that would be logical and intuitive for our user.

To start planning the architecture of the application and where these features would fit into it, I created an application map to organize the screens in a way that would be logical and intuitive for our user.

Architectural Flow

Architectural Flow

Architectural Flow

I had a clear idea of the architecture of the tool, however, I wanted to continue to better understand how user would be interacting with the key screens and features in the app.

I first started by identifying what key tasks the user would be trying to complete when using Minoair based on the users’ goals.

I had a clear idea of the architecture of the tool, however, I wanted to continue to better understand how user would be interacting with the key screens and features in the app.

I first started by identifying what key tasks the user would be trying to complete when using Minoair based on the users’ goals.

Design

Wireframes

Wireframes

Wireframes

Now that I had gather preliminary information and Insights , I created wireframes to make sure that the structure and flow of the tool is intuitive for our users. Before working on the visual design, I wanted to first make sure that the design was functional.

Now that I had gather preliminary information and Insights , I created wireframes to make sure that the structure and flow of the tool is intuitive for our users. Before working on the visual design, I wanted to first make sure that the design was functional.

Visual Design

Visual Design

Visual Design

After creating wireframes, I started designing the visual screens to incorporate the branding and making it more appealing for Users.

After creating wireframes, I started designing the visual screens to incorporate the branding and making it more appealing for Users.

Design System

I came up with a design system to add consistency, structure and communication across product. I chose simple readable humanist typeface that would improve reading legibility at both small and large sizes. The color palette is mature and has good contrast. The components are Reusable and consistent.

I came up with a design system to add consistency, structure and communication across product. I chose simple readable humanist typeface that would improve reading legibility at both small and large sizes. The color palette is mature and has good contrast. The components are Reusable and consistent.

Screen Mockups

Screen Mockups

Screen Mockups

Taking my wireframes and Design system into consideration, I now worked on creating final, high fidelity wireframes and screens. With Minoair’s branding defined, I worked on incorporating their identity to craft the visual design of their new application. For better UX, we tried to create a unidirectional flow.

Taking my wireframes and Design system into consideration, I now worked on creating final, high fidelity wireframes and screens. With Minoair’s branding defined, I worked on incorporating their identity to craft the visual design of their new application. For better UX, we tried to create a unidirectional flow.

Dashboard

Dashboard

Dashboard

Dashboard is the first screen after onboarding. It contains a list of different existing sites for the user.


It could be different Mines, or different sites in same mines or different construction sites etc.


User can also toggle between shared sites and can create their own site.

Dashboard is the first screen after onboarding. It contains a list of different existing sites for the user.


It could be different Mines, or different sites in same mines or different construction sites etc.


User can also toggle between shared sites and can create their own site.

Projects

Projects

Projects

This section is divided into Projects and Survey. After selecting a site, user can now choose from various projects and surveys with which they want to proceed.

They can share projects with the people and also mange different surveys.

This section is divided into Projects and Survey. After selecting a site, user can now choose from various projects and surveys with which they want to proceed.

They can share projects with the people and also mange different surveys.

Project > Cut/Fill Analysis

Project > Cut/Fill Analysis

Project > Cut/Fill Analysis

Under any project, user can now work on and get their data and reports or perform analysis with the help of tools available.

Cut fill analysis is a tool where user can get data of a what amount is excavated or filled in that particular area.

Under any project, user can now work on and get their data and reports or perform analysis with the help of tools available.

Cut fill analysis is a tool where user can get data of a what amount is excavated or filled in that particular area.

Project > Annotations

Project > Annotations

Project > Annotations

In annotations user can draw a shape or area for the analysis is required and derive relevant information for that section.

It is basically the artboard kind of section but in terms of maps.

In annotations user can draw a shape or area for the analysis is required and derive relevant information for that section.

It is basically the artboard kind of section but in terms of maps.

Upload Images

Upload Images

Upload Images

Drone data are usually larger in size and took more time to get processed. So I try to show a clear information about every photo that is uploading, so that we can reduce the chance of error.

Drone data are usually larger in size and took more time to get processed. So I try to show a clear information about every photo that is uploading, so that we can reduce the chance of error.

Enter GCPs

Enter GCPs

Enter GCPs

In this section, Generally user have to enter the values manually, but in Minoair, user can even upload a excel file or doc file and can retrieve data for GCPs.

In this section, Generally user have to enter the values manually, but in Minoair, user can even upload a excel file or doc file and can retrieve data for GCPs.

Share

Share

Share

Share screen is created keeping in mind, so that from just one screen, user can share multiple people with different preferences as per their need.

Share screen is created keeping in mind, so that from just one screen, user can share multiple people with different preferences as per their need.

Reflections

Reflections

Reflections

If I could do this project again, there are a few things I would have done differently:

If I could do this project again, there are a few things I would have done differently:

  • Perform heuristic evaluations of the Minoair’s tool.

  • Advocate for usability testing of the existing product before adding new features and changes.

  • Encourage our client to accept detailed reports on the above as our key deliverables

  • Perform heuristic evaluations of the Minoair’s tool.

  • Advocate for usability testing of the existing product before adding new features and changes.

  • Encourage our client to accept detailed reports on the above as our key deliverables

In hindsight, I think there were a couple of opportunities where I could have made the case to the client for me to shift my focus to UX research through college Students and Professors. Also Interface could look more modern and cleaner as well as I should have on multiple Interactions.

In hindsight, I think there were a couple of opportunities where I could have made the case to the client for me to shift my focus to UX research through college Students and Professors. Also Interface could look more modern and cleaner as well as I should have on multiple Interactions.

Instead, I continued to design and iterate upon new features, although during my client presentation I was able to make recommendations for addressing usability issues and suggested more in-depth UX research as some of their next steps.

Instead, I continued to design and iterate upon new features, although during my client presentation I was able to make recommendations for addressing usability issues and suggested more in-depth UX research as some of their next steps.

With that said, I am constantly in touch with client even now and I was pleased to learn that he has been able to use our screens and user flows to inform the direction of Minoair’s product. I’m excited to hear more about the success of their platform as they continue to mature.

With that said, I am constantly in touch with client even now and I was pleased to learn that he has been able to use our screens and user flows to inform the direction of Minoair’s product. I’m excited to hear more about the success of their platform as they continue to mature.

UI

UI

UI

BOTH

BOTH

BOTH

CAN

CAN

CAN

TOGETHER

TOGETHER

TOGETHER

BECOME

BECOME

BECOME

A

A

A

GREAT

GREAT

GREAT

TEAM

TEAM

TEAM

LET'S

LET'S

LET'S

CONNECT?

CONNECT?

CONNECT?

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Crafted with L ve, Designed in Framer

Crafted with _____ Designed in _______

© Narendra Gupta 2024

© Narendra Gupta 2024