--- title: "New design concept for optimal usability | Ergosign GmbH" description: "Discover in our case study with Key Technology how efficient design enhances human-machine interaction and ensures optimal usability." canonical_url: "https://www.ergosign.de/en/projects/key-technology-compass" locale: en meta: "og:description": "Discover in our case study with Key Technology how efficient design enhances human-machine interaction and ensures optimal usability." "og:title": "New design concept for optimal usability" "twitter:description": "Discover in our case study with Key Technology how efficient design enhances human-machine interaction and ensures optimal usability." "twitter:title": "New design concept for optimal usability" --- > Index of every page on this site: [llms.txt](https://www.ergosign.de/llms.txt) # New design concept for** optimal usability** ![Mann bedient User Interface der Lebensmittel-Sortiermaschine COMPASS](https://a.storyblok.com/f/180740/1920x1080/9a0c5db7be/cs_key-technology-header.jpg/m/3840x1792/smart) ## Efficient and consistent design simplifies the **human-machine communication** Following the successful design and development of the user interface for the digital sorting platform “ [VERYX](https://www.ergosign.de/en/projects/key-technology-veryx)”, Ergosign has now been entrusted with creating the design concept for the new digital sorting platform “COMPASS”. The machine, which uses AI-powered image recognition to detect defective or substandard food items along with foreign objects, aims to stand out with its exceptional usability and perceived operational simplicity. ## **Better usability** through efficient design ### The starting point The project's goal was to develop a detailed and validated design concept for COMPASS. The new machine seeks to replicate the success of the higher-priced VERYX models within the mid-price segment. These machines are known for their low maintenance requirements and increased processing capacities. The human-machine interaction of the highly complex machine needed to be simplified. ## Extensive **research and prototyping** ### Our approach The project began with a comprehensive research phase, during which we identified user needs and requirements. We carefully analyzed the daily work routine and the complexity of interacting with the machine. The insights from this phase served as the basis for vivid artifacts such as personas and scenarios. The developed concept was initially translated into interactive and visually detailed prototypes in Figma. This component-based design facilitated efficient coordination and enabled the swift identification of strengths and weaknesses of the concept. Direct communication channels and collaboration tools such as Miro allowed immediate exchange and feedback. ![COMPASS - Die Sortiermaschine für Lebensmittel. Außerdem sieht man das UI der COMPASS Maschine.](https://a.storyblok.com/f/180740/3840x2160/982aec07ce/cs_key-technology_slide1_v3.jpg/m/3200x0) ## Intuitive and **user-friendly UI** ### The solution The "COMPASS" design language builds upon the existing UI components and visual design of VERYX. The primary focus of the new design was to visually simplify the user interface, focusing on faster and easier access to machine operation for new and inexperienced users. Introducing an efficient, consistent, and easy-to-learn design language was our way of achieving this goal. Existing components were revised and optimized based on insights from contextual analysis. For example, new machine users are now guided step-by-step through the interface and application. ![UI der COMPASS Maschine als Nahaufnahme.](https://a.storyblok.com/f/180740/3840x2160/48a5a5feb9/cs_key-technology_slide2_v3-1.jpg/m/3200x0) ## **Happy users** thanks to a new operating concept Remote validations confirmed that the new operating concept effectively addressed the major challenges faced by users: the machine's complex operation and the previous lack of transparency in processes like color teaching for machine learning to detect foreign objects. Overall, the new operating concept received positive feedback, being recognized as a significant improvement over the existing system. > The presentation and prototypes feature impressive visuals. Figma proved to be an excellent tool for gathering user feedback, achieving a** strong final design**, and delivering an **outstanding overall result**. *Stephan WestcottSenior Manager EngineeringKey Technology* ## Key Technology ### About the client Key Technology is a global leader in food processing technology, continually striving to meet the growing needs of its customers. As a manufacturer of machines for conveying, processing, and sorting primarily food products, Key machines are utilized by 80% of the world's top 20 food processing companies. With over 70 years of experience as a supplier of food processing machinery, Key Technology serves dozens of industries, including fruits, vegetables, nuts, potatoes, confectionery, snacks, and more. ## More** Case Studies** [![Ein Mann sitzt an einem Schreibtisch vor 2 Bildschirmen, auf denen die Vision-Research-Anwendung geöffnet ist. Im Hintergrund ist ein Foto-Aufbau mit den Hochgeschwindigkeitskameras zu sehen.]()

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](https://www.ergosign.de/en/projects/nikon-slm-prep) ## Ready for the **next step**? Let’s shape the digital future of industry together. We look forward to hearing your ideas! ![Ergosign](https://a.storyblok.com/f/180740/500x500/b74942b5a7/lisa-foellinger.jpg/m/360x360) ### Lisa Föllinger Principal UX Designer, Head of Site Stuttgart [+49 681 95 98 20 0]() [projects@ergosign.de](mailto:projects@ergosign.de) ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@id":"https://www.ergosign.de/#website","@type":"WebSite","inLanguage":"en","name":"Ergosign GmbH","url":"https://www.ergosign.de/","publisher":{"@id":"https://www.ergosign.de/#identity"},"translationOfWork":{"@id":"https://www.ergosign.de/#website"}},{"@id":"https://www.ergosign.de/en/projects/key-technology-compass#webpage","@type":"WebPage","dateModified":"2026-10-14T11:26:45.591Z","datePublished":"2024-01-19T15:10:00.000Z","description":"Discover in our case study with Key Technology how efficient design enhances human-machine interaction and ensures optimal usability.","name":"New design concept for optimal usability","url":"https://www.ergosign.de/en/projects/key-technology-compass","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https://www.ergosign.de/en/projects/key-technology-compass#breadcrumb"},"isPartOf":{"@id":"https://www.ergosign.de/#website"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https://www.ergosign.de/en/projects/key-technology-compass"]}],"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https://www.ergosign.de/#logo"}},{"@id":"https://www.ergosign.de/#identity","@type":"Organization","name":"Ergosign GmbH","url":"https://www.ergosign.de","logo":{"@id":"https://www.ergosign.de/#logo"}},{"@id":"https://www.ergosign.de/#/schema/organization/#ergosign-organization","@type":"Organization","name":"Ergosign GmbH","url":"https://www.ergosign.de","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://www.ergosign.de/logo.png"}},{"@id":"https://www.ergosign.de/#/schema/organization/#case-study-client-organization","@type":"Organization","name":"Key Technology","url":"https://www.key.net/de/"},{"@id":"https://www.ergosign.de/en/projects/key-technology-compass#article","@type":"Article","about":"#case-study-client-organization","dateModified":"2026-10-14T11:26:45.591Z","datePublished":"2024-01-19T15:10:00.000Z","headline":"New design concept for optimal usability of Key Technology's \"COMPASS\"","inLanguage":"en","thumbnailUrl":"https://a.storyblok.com/f/180740/1920x1080/9a0c5db7be/cs_key-technology-header.jpg","author":{"@id":"https://www.ergosign.de/#/schema/organization/#ergosign-organization"},"image":{"@id":"https://www.ergosign.de/#/schema/image/1"},"isPartOf":{"@id":"https://www.ergosign.de/en/projects/key-technology-compass#webpage"},"mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https://www.ergosign.de/en/projects/key-technology-compass#webpage"},"publisher":{"@id":"https://www.ergosign.de/#/schema/organization/#ergosign-organization"}},{"@id":"https://www.ergosign.de/en/projects/key-technology-compass#/schema/quotation/#quote-4eb3767d-1626-49f7-8dbc-1dffe73a4722","@type":"Quotation","text":"The presentation and prototypes feature impressive visuals. Figma proved to be an excellent tool for gathering user feedback, achieving a strong final design, and delivering an outstanding overall result.","spokenByCharacter":{"@type":"Person","name":"Stephan Westcott","jobTitle":"Senior Manager Engineering","worksFor":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Key Technology"}}},{"@id":"https://www.ergosign.de/en/projects/key-technology-compass#breadcrumb","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","name":"Home","item":"https://www.ergosign.de/en","position":1},{"@type":"ListItem","name":"projects","item":"https://www.ergosign.de/en/projects","position":2},{"@type":"ListItem","name":"Key Technology COMPASS","item":"https://www.ergosign.de/en/projects/key-technology-compass","position":3}]},{"@id":"https://www.ergosign.de/#logo","@type":"ImageObject","caption":"Ergosign GmbH","contentUrl":"https://www.ergosign.de/logo.png","inLanguage":"en","url":"https://www.ergosign.de/logo.png"},{"@id":"https://www.ergosign.de/#/schema/image/1","@type":"ImageObject","contentUrl":"https://a.storyblok.com/f/180740/1920x1080/9a0c5db7be/cs_key-technology-header.jpg","inLanguage":"en","url":"https://a.storyblok.com/f/180740/1920x1080/9a0c5db7be/cs_key-technology-header.jpg"}]} ``` ## Sitemap See the full [sitemap](https://www.ergosign.de/sitemap.md) for all pages.