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Navia - Underwater Drone
Software Redesign

Project Context

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I led the end-to-end redesign of an industrial underwater drone control software at Hydromea.
The legacy system was outdated and misaligned with ongoing drone hardware development. The company planned a groundbreaking feature: an interactive mission map linking captured images to dive map elements, reducing post-processing from hours to minutes and lowering operational error.

I was the sole UX designer in a 20+ engineer team, working in parallel with hardware development under strict time and safety constraints.

Navia website UX/UI redesign showcasing interactive prototypes and visual direction for improved usability.

Challenges

  • Safety-critical, offline software used in extreme outdoor environments

  • High complexity with multiple simultaneous drones and tools

  • Limited interface space (touchscreen, no hover, thick device frame)

  • Rapidly evolving hardware and new feature integration

  • High-stakes environment requiring fast decision-making and minimal errors

Key UX Contributions

Interactive Mission Mapping

  • Created a globally unique feature enabling pre-dive map creation and direct attachment of dive images

  • Eliminated up to 8 hours of post-dive documentation

  • Reduced errors and improved operational traceability

  • Received strong client approval and immediate partial implementation

Grid map interface on pilot page of the Navia software.
Navia software performing self-scan to verify system readiness before inspection.

Dive Interface Redesign

  • Docking and dual-drone status indicators

  • Step-by-step pre-dive preparation guides

  • Self-check visualizations for 1 or 2 drones

  • Underwater communication signal indicators (affected by turbidity, distance, obstacles)

  • Tool module controls (gripper, vacuum, lighting)

  • Critical status indicators with clear hierarchy for emergency situations

Field-Optimized Design

  • Touchscreen-friendly UI (no hover)

  • High-visibility, low-fatigue color system

  • Interface layout optimised for extreme conditions and physical frame constraints, as well as for office environment use

  • Designed for low cognitive load and pragmatic decision-making

Navia software error message displayed during dive.
Light-themed settings panel in Navia software for user preferences.

Settings & Configuration

  • Independently created a settings module post-internship, including usage guides, metric system selection, and operational parameters

  • The company later requested formal permission to integrate this module

Navia software welcome screen, showing initial setup and start options.
Grid map interface for selecting pillars to inspect with drones in Navia system.
Navia software initial step preparation, guiding user through setup process.
wo drones stacked for inspection tasks.

UX Process

  • Competitive benchmark and product ecosystem analysis

  • Supervisor’s doctoral research review

  • Hybrid card sorting

  • Multiple high-fidelity prototypes (Complex prototype. Visual misalignments may occur)

  • Client presentation (US Army stakeholder)

  • Iterative user testing and design refinement

  • Visual tools to communicate design rationale to engineers and ensure synchronisation with hardware development

  • For more details about the research, click here.

Research highlights board summarizing user feedback and structural gaps in competitor websites for Navia project.

Impact & Learnings

  • Enabled engineers to work more efficiently during parallel drone development

  • Positive client feedback and partial direct implementation of prototypes

  • Developed deep understanding of offline, safety-critical systems

  • Learned to balance technical constraints, extreme conditions, and user needs

  • Strengthened collaboration skills: bridging UX and engineering through shared visual language

  • Reinforced passion for complex, responsibility-heavy, technically innovative projects

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