A communication and hearing protection headset system for arborists & tree care professionals – making teamwork safer and more efficient.

Client – Husqvarna

Context: In house/Sweden

Role: Design Lead

2023

Brief

The mission was clear: develop the ultimate team communication solution tailored specifically for arborists and tree care professionals. Despite a gap in our portfolio and a market flooded with either exorbitantly priced options or solutions that fell short of meeting our target audience's needs, we saw a golden opportunity to set a new standard in the market.
We've spent 6 years delving deep into the industry, engaging with over a hundred tree care professionals and industry experts.
The result offers all the features they need in a comprehensive platform without any trade-offs. Because reliable communication is at the heart of smooth and efficient teamwork – and that's precisely what this product is all about.

→ Industrial design  → User Interaction  → User Experience

Understanding core needs & delivering empowering features with ease, without compromises.

My role

I led the design effort as the sole representative in a cross-functional team. My role was to merge user interaction with physical design into a seamless and comprehensive system. I spend most of my time with users validating concepts and refining interactions untill we achieved the desired product. The challenge was to deliver smooth user interactions while offering more possibilities and features for even more efficient and reliable teamwork.

A true game changer.

— X-COM Active™ is the first communication system designed specifically for arborists and tree care professionals. This robust yet comfortable advanced communication system supports up to ten users in a seamless peer-to-peer network and allows everyone connected to communicate clearly with each other simultaneously without background noises. Quickly warn your colleagues if a danger appears, coordinate tasks more easily, or share a story to keep the mood up. X-COM Active™ improves efficiency and safety, setting a new standard for working in the treetops.

— Built for Seamless Communication.
Up to 10 people can connect to the group, and those without X-COM Active™ can easily communicate with the team through a simple phone call. Our self-healing wireless network ensures seamless departure without affecting communication. While communication in the workgroup is always prioritized, you can connect up to two devices via Bluetooth to receive calls and listen to music.

— The X-Factor, Revolutionizing Team Communication.

— Why we created "Rooms"
Communication is key to success, but when dealing with tricky situations, you don't want to be disturbed by colleagues working on different tasks. You need the most efficient communication, filtering only the information that matters. With that feature, you have the possibility to switch rooms at the press of a button so you can focus on your work without interruptions. When needed, you can break down walls for emergencies or to share information with the entire team seamlessly. Experience unparalleled focus and collaboration with Rooms.

— UX for Demanding Conditions.
A robust design to withstand rain, wind, cold, heat and features large easy-to-use controls, allowing them to manage all settings with gloves on. With sound clarity over a 400-meter range, it provides crystal clear communication and real-time lip sync when teammates are far apart.

— Built for Seamless Communication.
Up to 10 people can connect to the group, and those without X-COM Active™ can easily communicate with the team through a simple phone call. Our self-healing wireless network ensures seamless departure without affecting communication. While communication in the workgroup is always prioritized, you can connect up to two devices via Bluetooth to receive calls and listen to music.

X-COM Active works for up to ten people at the same time and is a so-called peer-to-peer network where everyone connected can communicate with each other simultaneously. The headphones are comfortable and robust. The new communication system is designed to further improve collaboration for everyone who works together in the treetops. TEXT A JETER TU PEUX GARDER CE FORMAT POUR INTRODUITE PROCESS AND WORK DONE

A True Game Changer.
The first team communication system designed specifically for arborists and tree care professionals. The result of 6 years of exchanges with more than a hundred tree care professionals with all the features they needs without any unnecessary trade-offs. Seamless communication in noisy environments means that you can quickly warn your colleagues if a danger appears, coordinate your tasks more easily or tell a story to keep the mood up TU PEUX DELETE !

Process
The special design and features are based upon our extensive field researchs, prototype testing and expertise from developing and manufacturing power cutters.
If you've ever experienced a power cutter kickback, you will know why you should wear the SmartGuard™ helmet.