DiDi Intern - Enhancing the travel experience for Robotaxi
Overview
In summer 2023, I interned as a UX/UI designer on DiDi’s Autonomous Driving team in Beijing. I focused on crafting and improving the PHMI (Passenger Human-Machine Interface) for Robotaxi rides—addressing UX pain points around clarity, safety, and user trust in fully driverless travel. I collaborated with product managers, designers, and developers to identify usability issues, conduct competitive research, and deliver iterative design solutions informed by user feedback.
Design Challenge
How might we improve the passenger HMI for fully autonomous rides—when users have no driver to rely on, limited prior experience, and little existing UX standard to follow?
Designing for Robotaxi rides means rethinking how users receive guidance, reassurance, and feedback—entirely through the interface.
My Approach
To tackle the design challenges, I took a multi-step approach:
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Cross-functional interviews with PMs, designers, and engineers to understand product constraints and user expectations.
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User testing using PHMI 1.0 demo, paper prototypes, and low-fidelity wireframes to validate assumptions early.
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Competitive research on EV in-car experiences to identify relevant interaction patterns.
Key Iterations
Solution #1 – Restructuring Information Architecture
The original interface had unclear grouping and low visual hierarchy, which confused users during the ride.
I reorganized the content layout based on user feedback to make key actions more discoverable and related information easier to scan. I also refreshed the overall design language and color scheme for better consistency and clearer visual emphasis.
Solution #2 – Layout Optimization & Safety Reminder
The original horizontal layout made content harder to scan and disrupted the passenger flow.
I redesigned the UI into a vertical layout for better readability and spatial alignment. I also added a contextual safety prompt reminding passengers to check surroundings before opening the door, which enhancing both awareness and trust in the Robotaxi experience.
Solution #3 – Reducing Accidental Taps & Enriching Feedback
The original interface led to frequent mis-taps due to tightly packed touch targets and minimal spacing.
I redesigned the layout with clearer touch zones to reduce accidental input.
To improve feedback quality, I replaced binary "good/bad" buttons with emoji-based options and added a secondary input layer, so users could share the reason behind their feedback in a lightweight, friendly way.
Solution #4 – Reducing Accidental Taps & Enriching Feedback
The original flat icon design lacked depth and visual feedback.
I redesigned the UI bar using a frosted glass style to create a more modern, elevated feel.
To improve interaction clarity, I introduced multiple icon states: active, hover, and inactive. All giving users clear visual cues during each stage of interaction.
Style Guide
Final Reflection & What I Learn
This internship gave me hands-on experience designing for an emerging field: fully autonomous mobility. Through multiple iterations, I improved clarity, safety, and user feedback in the PHMI.
Beyond the HMI work, I also contributed to the design of internal B2B platform components and icons, and worked closely with developers to drive implementation forward. While this work is under NDA, it taught me how to balance business needs with user goals, and how to move design forward within real-world technical and organizational constraints.
Most importantly, I learned that design isn’t just about solving for users—it’s about aligning with the bigger picture.
Awards & Recognitions
Red Dot Design Award
2023
K Design Award
2023