Challenge Summary
Welcome to RUX50! This is our 50th RUX Challenge! We are excited to award 50 T-Shirts to the Top 50 designers in this challenge! Yes… that might be crazy but we want to celebrate all things RUX and why not do it with Topcoder T-shirts! Now… back to our awesome customer design problem!
Welcome to the "RUX - Vulcan Nerve Center App Design Challenge". In this challenge, we are looking to quickly conceptualize and design the Nerve Center (NC) which will be used as a command center controlled by Vulcan employees to connect and orchestrate global operations of 100+ plants/factories and 1500+ machines that the company has around the globe. We are looking for concepts that have well-organized information architecture and clean (future interface and navigation) for the user to have a seamless experience.
Let us know if you have any questions!
What is a RUX Challenge?
The RUX (Rapid User Experience) challenge uses the same format as our famous LUX Challenge except it is not "Live" at an event. The RUX Challenge Series provides you with an opportunity to show digital leaders from some of the largest companies in the world just how good your concept and user experience (UI/UX) design skills are.
RUX (Rapid User Experience) challenges are fast, fun, and have more chances for you to capture prize money!
Note: You do not need to have RUX challenge experience to join this challenge - Just jump in and give it a try! Make sure to follow the challenge details, the challenge forum and ask questions.
Full Description & Project Guide
Background information
Vulcan is a company that is implementing new technologies and digital transformation within their factories and plants. To execute these plans, Vulcan is preparing 2 strategic initiatives, which are:
1. Create a "collaboration tool" between Vulcan Technician and Experts which was recently started via This RUX challenge
2. Create a "Nerve Center" or command center room in their headquarters, that will monitor, react and predict all things related to IIOT connected devices (assets) within Vulcan factories and plants. This is the goal for this challenge!
We want to achieve the following experiences at the end of this RUX challenge:
- The Nerve Center Big Screen View Experience for all Users
- The Nerve Center experience and screens for the collaboration tool (this is a live view of the collaboration)
RUX Challenge Timeline and Rolling Checkpoint
- Submission Start: Thursday, 12/13/2018 at 08:00 AM EST
- Rolling Checkpoint Start: Saturday, 12/15/2018 at 08:00 AM EST
- Submission End: Sunday, 12/16/2018 at 08:00 AM EST
We are offering 5 Prizes Placements
1) 1st Placement: $2000
2) 2nd Placement: $1500
3) 3rd Placement: $1000
4) 4th Placement: $750
5) 5th Placement: $500
- Plus 8 placements for Rolling Checkpoint prizes @ $50 each!
Note: Important Rolling Checkpoint Details
- High-Def and adroc will answer questions and provide Rolling Feedback as fast as possible.
- You must watch the Forum for your feedback!
- All initial qualifying checkpoint submissions will win $50 (Only 8 potential submissions)
Challenge Forum
Please ask in challenge forum for any doubts/questions regarding challenge requirements:
https://apps.topcoder.com/forums/?module=ThreadList&forumID=650002
Nerve Center Short Description
- The Nerve center (NC) will become the central intelligence unit for the Vulcan company asset management operation
- Our Vision for the NC is that it will be connecting and orchestrating the global operations for 100+ plants/factory and 1500+ machines
- In the beginning, NC will focus on the following:
Key Concept: People and Assets (IIOT machines) are the key elements of the Nerve Center. We do not want to "drill down" but we want to explode upward from the Asset to understand and tackle issues quickly.
User Personas
01) Nerve Center Room
Maestro (In-Scope)
Orchestrates the operational flow in the nerve center with some AI assistance. Works in sync with other Maestros. A Maestro can support 3 activities in parallel.
Nerve Center Facilitator (In-Scope)
On duty employee that see live things happening in the NC. they will funnel Maestro requests and enable work to get done, real-time reacting.
Diagnostics Expert (DE) (out of scope)
When the maintenance team faces a machine failure and cannot understand its root cause, the DE is the first one to look at the failure. Minimum output expected from him/her is to let the nerve center know what kind of expertise is needed given the diagnosis. It is very likely to have DEs in the nerve center who can trigger SME associations.
02) Factory Persona's (In Scope)
Technicians: Onsite
The technicians work at the plant. They help the DE to understand the problem, follows diagnostics instructions, solves the problem together with the Expert (SME). The Technician sends an SOS if they need assistance (we assume the Technician follows the internal process and gets the required approvals internally in the plant).
Subject Matter Expert (SME): Onsite or Remote
Has deep vertical expertise on a matter like 'software problems in laser cutting machines'. The expertise is defined at least 2 dimensional: asset classes + problem classes. She takes over the problem once the DE has a diagnosis.
03) Nerve Center Support (Out of Scope)
- Note we have support roles that help put knowledge into the Nerve Center App - Improving the Nerve Center base knowledge. Potential roles in the support would be:
Nerve Center: Screen and Feature Requests
For this challenge, we are looking for the below screens to be designed/considered in your concepts. Do not allow the suggestions below to impact the creativity of design. If there is a better way to accomplish the same goal, then feel free to take creative liberties.
01) Nerve Center (Command Center) Screens layout and Interactions:
- Nerve Center – gets Vulcan company to have insight and make decisions faster
- Picture a Huge Screen with several windows/inner screens/widgets and a conductor/maestro overseeing it, and choosing which windows to zoom into and analyze, etc
- The windows/inner screens/widgets (within the big screen) should be ordered to logically tell a story)
- Think of the immediate view and then views that would showcase SOS situation, Experts (collaboration situation), Factory View, Asset View
02) Live Asset and Plant Overview Status:
- The focus is on KPIs and showing data that can be used to make business decisions in the factories and Plants
- Show live and real-time information about all Vulcan operation assets (this could be like a default view)
- Show all Plants/Factory Summary information
- Shows number of critical, vulnerable and stable machines
- Resources Summary List (Available Experts, Technicians, and Other Personnel)
- List of Online Users that are using the Nerve Center
- NC Base Knowledge Status
03) SOS Management features:
- Receive SOS request that needs immediate attention from Technician or Plant Manager on site (how is this shown on the screen, what items move?)
- Checking whether the issue can be solved in the Nerve Center or not (manual? Or via AI?)
- Finding Available Experts (Think of Uber selection):
04) Work in Progress (WIP)
- Shows the status of flows that have been set by maestros. Flows are made up of operations blocks. (These might be brought up to discuss issues - so possible full-screen usage.)
- Plants View:
- Machine/Asset View:
- Ops View:
- Schedule View:
- Expert Schedules view:
- Inbox View:
05) Additional Features
- As a designer any additional thoughts or features you would like to showcase?
06) Presentation Screen - 1920x1080 (16:9 Ratio)
- In a RUX challenge, this screen is the way to showcase your concept so keep it simple and make it look good!
- If you were walking into a meeting and needed to sell your idea - use this screen to showcase your concept.
Branding Guidelines
- Currently open to what a great "command center" UI approach should be
- Think about large screens/command center style
- Avoid contrasts that are too hard and too light
Previous RUX Design
- We are providing the screen designs from the previous RUX
- DO NOT copy these exactly. Use them as inspiration for where we want to continue to evolve the UI.
- There are design issues with these screens but we really liked the initial concepts and the direction. Evolve this with your "Command Center" UI.
- Color is very important! Clarity of data is very important!
Documentation
Download all documentation from the challenge forum!
- Branding Guidelines
- Previous RUX winning design (Design Direction)
- Photos (explaining the concept of the Nerve Center)
- Plant and Machine Images References (Use these as images for the plant and machines in your design)
Screen Sizes (Important!!)
- Big Screen in Command Center Room
- Resolution: 4K Display (16:9 screen ratio) - 3840x2160px or 1920x1080px is fine for this challenge
- Use grid systems for your layout
Marvel Prototype
- We need you to upload your screens to MarvelApp.com
- Please request for your MarvelApp prototype in the respective thread in the forum (or) send your request to fajar.mln@gmail.com
- You MUST include your MarvelApp URL (in your marvel app prototype, click on share and then copy the link & share it with your notes/comment this link while you upload).
Judging Criteria
Your submission will be judged on the following criteria:
- Overall idea and execution of concepts
- How well does your design align with the objectives of the challenge and the persona's
- Your overall design and user experience
- Cleanliness of screen design and user flow
Target Audience
- Vulcan Company Employees
Submission & Source Files
Preview Image
Please create your preview image as one (1) 1024x1024px JPG or PNG file in RGB color mode at 72dpi and place a screenshot of your submission within it.
Submission File
- Submit JPG/PNG image files based on the Challenge submission requirements stated above
- MarvelApp link for review and to provide feedback
Source Files
All source files of all graphics created in either Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, XD or Sketch and saved as an editable layer
Final Fixes
This RUX might have final fixes
Welcome to the "RUX - Vulcan Nerve Center App Design Challenge". In this challenge, we are looking to quickly conceptualize and design the Nerve Center (NC) which will be used as a command center controlled by Vulcan employees to connect and orchestrate global operations of 100+ plants/factories and 1500+ machines that the company has around the globe. We are looking for concepts that have well-organized information architecture and clean (future interface and navigation) for the user to have a seamless experience.
Let us know if you have any questions!
What is a RUX Challenge?
The RUX (Rapid User Experience) challenge uses the same format as our famous LUX Challenge except it is not "Live" at an event. The RUX Challenge Series provides you with an opportunity to show digital leaders from some of the largest companies in the world just how good your concept and user experience (UI/UX) design skills are.
RUX (Rapid User Experience) challenges are fast, fun, and have more chances for you to capture prize money!
Note: You do not need to have RUX challenge experience to join this challenge - Just jump in and give it a try! Make sure to follow the challenge details, the challenge forum and ask questions.
Full Description & Project Guide
Background information
Vulcan is a company that is implementing new technologies and digital transformation within their factories and plants. To execute these plans, Vulcan is preparing 2 strategic initiatives, which are:
1. Create a "collaboration tool" between Vulcan Technician and Experts which was recently started via This RUX challenge
2. Create a "Nerve Center" or command center room in their headquarters, that will monitor, react and predict all things related to IIOT connected devices (assets) within Vulcan factories and plants. This is the goal for this challenge!
We want to achieve the following experiences at the end of this RUX challenge:
- The Nerve Center Big Screen View Experience for all Users
- The Nerve Center experience and screens for the collaboration tool (this is a live view of the collaboration)
RUX Challenge Timeline and Rolling Checkpoint
- Submission Start: Thursday, 12/13/2018 at 08:00 AM EST
- Rolling Checkpoint Start: Saturday, 12/15/2018 at 08:00 AM EST
- Submission End: Sunday, 12/16/2018 at 08:00 AM EST
We are offering 5 Prizes Placements
1) 1st Placement: $2000
2) 2nd Placement: $1500
3) 3rd Placement: $1000
4) 4th Placement: $750
5) 5th Placement: $500
- Plus 8 placements for Rolling Checkpoint prizes @ $50 each!
Note: Important Rolling Checkpoint Details
- High-Def and adroc will answer questions and provide Rolling Feedback as fast as possible.
- You must watch the Forum for your feedback!
- All initial qualifying checkpoint submissions will win $50 (Only 8 potential submissions)
Challenge Forum
Please ask in challenge forum for any doubts/questions regarding challenge requirements:
https://apps.topcoder.com/forums/?module=ThreadList&forumID=650002
Nerve Center Short Description
- The Nerve center (NC) will become the central intelligence unit for the Vulcan company asset management operation
- Our Vision for the NC is that it will be connecting and orchestrating the global operations for 100+ plants/factory and 1500+ machines
- In the beginning, NC will focus on the following:
- Enables hyper-speed collaboration among Vulcan Employees and Experts. For example, a Chinese CNC specialist will become available for supporting a solution to a rare CNC problem in Poland in less than 10 minutes. The collaboration will be enhanced by AR and real-time translation technologies
- Predict and prompt machine failures
- Captures tacit knowledge and digests it into structured knowledge for the company to learn at a global scale
- Compares and contrasts asset performance from multiple angles, identifies top performers, elicits what top performers do differently, absorbs and disseminates this knowledge
- Enables hyper-speed tactical decision making in times of emergency and operational disruptions
Key Concept: People and Assets (IIOT machines) are the key elements of the Nerve Center. We do not want to "drill down" but we want to explode upward from the Asset to understand and tackle issues quickly.
User Personas
01) Nerve Center Room
Maestro (In-Scope)
Orchestrates the operational flow in the nerve center with some AI assistance. Works in sync with other Maestros. A Maestro can support 3 activities in parallel.
Nerve Center Facilitator (In-Scope)
On duty employee that see live things happening in the NC. they will funnel Maestro requests and enable work to get done, real-time reacting.
Diagnostics Expert (DE) (out of scope)
When the maintenance team faces a machine failure and cannot understand its root cause, the DE is the first one to look at the failure. Minimum output expected from him/her is to let the nerve center know what kind of expertise is needed given the diagnosis. It is very likely to have DEs in the nerve center who can trigger SME associations.
02) Factory Persona's (In Scope)
Technicians: Onsite
The technicians work at the plant. They help the DE to understand the problem, follows diagnostics instructions, solves the problem together with the Expert (SME). The Technician sends an SOS if they need assistance (we assume the Technician follows the internal process and gets the required approvals internally in the plant).
Subject Matter Expert (SME): Onsite or Remote
Has deep vertical expertise on a matter like 'software problems in laser cutting machines'. The expertise is defined at least 2 dimensional: asset classes + problem classes. She takes over the problem once the DE has a diagnosis.
03) Nerve Center Support (Out of Scope)
- Note we have support roles that help put knowledge into the Nerve Center App - Improving the Nerve Center base knowledge. Potential roles in the support would be:
- Data Scientist
- Data Science Developer
- Deployment Person (programmer)
- Training and Quality Expert
- Technical Exec
- We left off the descriptions - can provide them if you feel they will help you with your concepts.Nerve Center: Screen and Feature Requests
For this challenge, we are looking for the below screens to be designed/considered in your concepts. Do not allow the suggestions below to impact the creativity of design. If there is a better way to accomplish the same goal, then feel free to take creative liberties.
01) Nerve Center (Command Center) Screens layout and Interactions:
- Nerve Center – gets Vulcan company to have insight and make decisions faster
- Picture a Huge Screen with several windows/inner screens/widgets and a conductor/maestro overseeing it, and choosing which windows to zoom into and analyze, etc
- The windows/inner screens/widgets (within the big screen) should be ordered to logically tell a story)
- Think of the immediate view and then views that would showcase SOS situation, Experts (collaboration situation), Factory View, Asset View
02) Live Asset and Plant Overview Status:
- The focus is on KPIs and showing data that can be used to make business decisions in the factories and Plants
- Show live and real-time information about all Vulcan operation assets (this could be like a default view)
- Show all Plants/Factory Summary information
- Shows number of critical, vulnerable and stable machines
- Resources Summary List (Available Experts, Technicians, and Other Personnel)
- List of Online Users that are using the Nerve Center
- NC Base Knowledge Status
03) SOS Management features:
- Receive SOS request that needs immediate attention from Technician or Plant Manager on site (how is this shown on the screen, what items move?)
- Checking whether the issue can be solved in the Nerve Center or not (manual? Or via AI?)
- Finding Available Experts (Think of Uber selection):
-- Assign Expert and connecting them directly to the person onsite in the Factory/Plants
-- Receive an Issue report from Expert and Technician or Plant Manager
-- Close Issue Case
04) Work in Progress (WIP)
- Shows the status of flows that have been set by maestros. Flows are made up of operations blocks. (These might be brought up to discuss issues - so possible full-screen usage.)
- Plants View:
-- The user can dig down into the plants to see more detail information about it
-- Shows selected Plants building layout in various views (3D, Photos, plants building diagram)
-- Show information related to the Plants (Employee numbers, Productivity through years, All asset/machine available in the plant, etc)
-- Also, shows the flow of material for the current and backlog Work orders for the machine/asset.
- Machine/Asset View:
-- Show all Machine IOT status
-- Shows various Machine images, for an example: Photos of Machine, a 3d isometric picture of the machine with a mathematical representation of the machine with 50+ sensor readings for 50+ machine components overlaid, Machine diagram, etc
-- Machine performance/operational KPI
-- Shows various Machine images, for an example: Photos of Machine, a 3d isometric picture of the machine with a mathematical representation of the machine with 50+ sensor readings for 50+ machine components overlaid, Machine diagram, etc
-- Machine performance/operational KPI
- Ops View:
-- Lists the current work order being produced and the backlog work orders of the machine. Work order refers to: {SKU, Qty, start date time, end date time, produced number, remaining number, next machine}
- Schedule View:
-- Shows the Gantt chart for the plant. But for only the machines that are en route for the current and backlog work orders.
- Expert Schedules view:
-- It helps maestro to see the feasible session time for the selected participants.
-- Upcoming Sessions, Shows the planned sessions
-- Upcoming Sessions, Shows the planned sessions
- Inbox View:
-- Shows the current activity and backlog of the roles involved in the NC operations. Used by maestro assign activities.
05) Additional Features
- As a designer any additional thoughts or features you would like to showcase?
06) Presentation Screen - 1920x1080 (16:9 Ratio)
- In a RUX challenge, this screen is the way to showcase your concept so keep it simple and make it look good!
- If you were walking into a meeting and needed to sell your idea - use this screen to showcase your concept.
Branding Guidelines
- Currently open to what a great "command center" UI approach should be
- Think about large screens/command center style
- Avoid contrasts that are too hard and too light
Previous RUX Design
- We are providing the screen designs from the previous RUX
- DO NOT copy these exactly. Use them as inspiration for where we want to continue to evolve the UI.
- There are design issues with these screens but we really liked the initial concepts and the direction. Evolve this with your "Command Center" UI.
- Color is very important! Clarity of data is very important!
Documentation
Download all documentation from the challenge forum!
- Branding Guidelines
- Previous RUX winning design (Design Direction)
- Photos (explaining the concept of the Nerve Center)
- Plant and Machine Images References (Use these as images for the plant and machines in your design)
Screen Sizes (Important!!)
- Big Screen in Command Center Room
- Resolution: 4K Display (16:9 screen ratio) - 3840x2160px or 1920x1080px is fine for this challenge
- Use grid systems for your layout
Marvel Prototype
- We need you to upload your screens to MarvelApp.com
- Please request for your MarvelApp prototype in the respective thread in the forum (or) send your request to fajar.mln@gmail.com
- You MUST include your MarvelApp URL (in your marvel app prototype, click on share and then copy the link & share it with your notes/comment this link while you upload).
Judging Criteria
Your submission will be judged on the following criteria:
- Overall idea and execution of concepts
- How well does your design align with the objectives of the challenge and the persona's
- Your overall design and user experience
- Cleanliness of screen design and user flow
Target Audience
- Vulcan Company Employees
Submission & Source Files
Preview Image
Please create your preview image as one (1) 1024x1024px JPG or PNG file in RGB color mode at 72dpi and place a screenshot of your submission within it.
Submission File
- Submit JPG/PNG image files based on the Challenge submission requirements stated above
- MarvelApp link for review and to provide feedback
Source Files
All source files of all graphics created in either Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, XD or Sketch and saved as an editable layer
Final Fixes
This RUX might have final fixes
Please read the challenge specification carefully and watch the forums for any questions or feedback concerning this challenge. It is important that you monitor any updates provided by the client or Studio Admins in the forums. Please post any questions you might have for the client in the forums.