Automobile Association - Laptop Vehicle Mount

Company Description

The AA is the largest motoring organisation in the UK, with more dedicated patrols than anyone else.

The Problem

In order to maintain and improve its leading levels of customer service and technical support, the AA wanted to install a laptop in every vehicle in the yellow fleet.

The Challenge

Having approached MotionTouch to help to design and manufacture a mount for the laptops in the vehicles, there were a number of challenges that needed to be overcome on the project. Foremost of these was the health and safety implications on fitting the laptops into 14 different types of vehicle.

The Process

In the design stage it was important to evaluate each of the 14 vehicles for which the solution was required. MotionTouch engineers had to design a modular solution which met the requirements of the different vehicles.

The Solution

MotionTouch worked closely with the unions to ensure user acceptance. The product was also designed in accordance with the requirements and recommendations of the following bodies:

• The European Commission
• The Health and Safety Executive
• The British Standards Institute
• The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions
• The Vehicle Inspectorate

MotionTouch also subjected the product to the following rigorous testing:

• Prototype testing
• Crash testing
• NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness) Testing

Finally, MotionTouch designed the installation process for the vehicles, the installation training for the AA’s engineers and the warranty support procedure.

The Product

The VMM011 laptop vehicle mount is designed to be stored beside the passenger seat whilst driving, then easily assembled and operated from the passenger seat.

The positioning of the device in the passenger seat offers the following ergonomic benefits:

• The lower back is supported.
• The head may be held in an upright position above the spinal cord.
• Risk of eye strain is reduced.
• The wrists may be supported during use to lower the risks of RSI.

The Outcome

MotionTouch worked closely with AA fleet management, unions and its business group to meet all of the company’s requirements and deliver the complete solution in an 8 month time period. This enabled the AA to rollout its award winning IT technology on time and on budget. The solution also enabled the AA to increase productivity and increase their customer service levels.

Henry Powell, Director of MotionTouch says "The project was tremendously rewarding. Once we had broken the project down in to constituent parts we were able to work in close partnership with a number of AA’s departments to ensure that we met all business and timescale objectives".