March 4, 2024 marks a significant update in Rockwell Automation’s ongoing commitment to fostering inclusive design within the critical realm of industrial automation, detailing specific strategies and solutions for hardware, terminology, and software design systems. This report, the second installment in a series examining the burgeoning impact of inclusive design, elaborates on how the global leader is tackling challenges to ensure its industrial equipment and software are accessible and usable by an increasingly diverse global workforce. The initiative underscores a broader industry shift towards recognizing that design choices can profoundly affect operational efficiency, safety, and employee satisfaction, extending beyond mere compliance to become a cornerstone of innovation and responsible corporate citizenship.
The Imperative of Inclusive Design in Industrial Automation
Industrial automation, characterized by its demanding environments and complex machinery, has traditionally focused on robustness and performance. However, a growing understanding of human diversity – encompassing variations in physical ability, cognitive function, age, and cultural background – necessitates a re-evaluation of design principles. The World Health Organization estimates that over one billion people, or approximately 15% of the global population, live with some form of disability. As the industrial workforce ages and diversifies, companies like Rockwell Automation are proactively addressing these realities. Inclusive design is no longer a niche consideration but a strategic imperative that impacts everything from employee recruitment and retention to operational safety and global market penetration. By designing for the broadest possible range of users, companies can unlock greater efficiency, reduce errors, minimize training costs, and cultivate a more equitable and productive work environment.
In Part 1 of this series, Rockwell Automation outlined the foundational definition of inclusive design and its escalating influence on industrial automation, acknowledging the inherent complexities and previewing a strategic roadmap for overcoming them. This follow-up delves deeper into the practical application of these strategies, highlighting the tangible efforts being made to integrate inclusive principles across various product development cycles. The company has announced plans to extend this series to a third part, which will cover additional activities and solutions, including its external web presence, localization efforts, and other software standards, underscoring the comprehensive nature of this transformative journey.
Designing Hardware for Diverse Human Factors
The unique operational landscape of industrial automation, where equipment must endure rigorous use in often unpredictable and rugged environments, presents distinct challenges for inclusive design. Hardware solutions must function flawlessly "anywhere, anytime, and all the time," necessitating designs that equally support the needs of diverse users, including those with disabilities. To gain current insights into how Rockwell Automation’s hardware solutions are being adapted, Alex Mummert, a Senior Industrial Designer at the company, shared perspectives on several critical design considerations.
Ergonomics as a Foundation for Safety and Efficiency
Mummert emphasized the significance of location and ergonomics in hardware design. Industrial hardware is typically placed either "on-machine" or "in-cabinet," requiring standardized information display despite varying product use cases. Maximizing access, minimizing obstructions from interfaces, and optimizing display angles (both vertical and horizontal) are crucial for legibility. A core principle articulated by Mummert is to "always strive to design for the 99th percentile," standardizing grip points, pull force, and space affordance to accommodate nearly the entire population without significant impediments. This proactive approach ensures that products are accessible to a wider range of physical capabilities, reducing strain and potential for injury.
The testing methodologies mirror those used in software design, with low-fidelity ergonomic validations conducted to confirm appropriate space affordances for specific use cases. An illustrative example provided was an ergonomics study led by Mummert’s team to evaluate an I/O module’s door-opening feature in relation to nearby cables. Such detailed analysis prevents common issues that could arise from cramped spaces or difficult access, directly contributing to operator safety and operational uptime.
Visual Clarity and Responsiveness in Challenging Environments
Beyond physical interaction, the visual and tactile feedback of hardware is paramount, especially given that these products operate in uncontrolled, often poorly lit, cramped, and dirty environments. Mummert explained, "We try to design products with these variables in mind to minimize their impact." Modifications such as adjusting cabling direction and maximizing interface legibility significantly improve day-to-day interactions for end-users. A clear hierarchy for both static and dynamic information, such as light indicators, is essential for rapid comprehension in high-pressure situations.
Crucially, Rockwell Automation has refined its approach to indicators and lights. Mummert highlighted the importance of users understanding module status increasingly over time, with the most critical information noticed first. To ensure inclusive color affordance, updated wavelength guidance was developed to assist users with vision impairments in identifying colors more readily. Previously, overlapping color specifications for green and yellow LEDs could lead to confusion, especially with blue-green and yellow-green indicators on the same product line. By increasing the spacing between color LEDs, legibility is maximized even in poor visibility conditions, accounting for both environmental factors and human vision impairments. Intentional physical spacing allows users to discern individual elements, such as "the third indicator is flashing," rather than perceiving a cluster as a single continuous color. Strategic LED placement also considers surrounding cables and devices, ensuring indicators are not obscured, thereby reducing user frustration and ensuring critical alerts are noticed promptly.
User-interface responsiveness is another vital aspect. Mummert emphasized the need for clearly articulated visual or physical feedback confirming task completion. For instance, a locking feature on a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) requiring a quarter-turn must provide "distinct and consistent feedback" to indicate successful locking or unlocking. Furthermore, designing for operators wearing protective gear, such as gloves, which reduce tactile sensation and add bulk, is critical. Testing solutions with similar gear in analogous environments helps validate ergonomic efficacy under real-world conditions. These hardware considerations, while seemingly granular, collectively contribute to a robust and accessible industrial ecosystem capable of accommodating a broad spectrum of human capabilities.
Revolutionizing Language: Rockwell Automation’s Inclusive Terminology Initiative
The technology industry, including automation, has historically perpetuated outdated and noninclusive terminology, alienating users and hindering global communication. Rockwell Automation has embarked on a significant initiative to modernize its terminology, recognizing that language is a fundamental component of any user interface and crucial for effective communication with its diversifying user base and employee population. This is particularly challenging in automation, where legacy software and hardware solutions have persisted for decades, making customers hesitant to alter anything that might disrupt productivity.
Elena Dunne, Senior Manager of Industry Insights and a former terminologist, has spearheaded this effort. Her insights reveal a comprehensive strategy that spans both external and internal communications.
A Global Shift Towards Inclusive Language
The external strategy began with Dunne’s involvement in TerminOrgs, a consortium of terminologists from large organizations that had already identified potential alternatives to noninclusive terms. Rockwell Automation actively engaged with external parties, including standards organizations, partners, and customers who shared similar concerns and a desire for change. This collaborative approach ensures that the new terminology resonates across the industry.
To disseminate its efforts broadly, Rockwell Automation published a blog and created a dedicated webpage that showcases preferred alternatives. This evolving list encompasses terms across multiple subdomains, including cybersecurity, motion control, and software programming. Figure 2 in the original article provides a snapshot of these replacement terms, demonstrating the breadth of the initiative. The company has also taken its message "on the road," incorporating inclusive terminology into the "Bold Conversations" roundtable talks at its annual Automation Fair® tradeshow event for two consecutive years, most recently in Boston, where inclusive design and accessibility were key topics. This public engagement underscores Rockwell Automation’s leadership in driving this cultural and linguistic shift within the industrial sector.
Operationalizing Terminology Change Internally
Internally, proactive and transparent communication has been paramount. Rockwell Automation convened a Terminology Review Board and implemented diverse tactics to keep employees informed, including intranet updates, Yammer and Teams communications, internal newsletters, and comprehensive training programs. This multi-channel approach ensures that the new terminology is understood and adopted across the organization.
The initiative is supported by a cross-functional working group that manages five distinct workstreams: identifying noninclusive terms, reviewing proposed alternatives, implementing changes across various platforms, measuring the impact of these changes, and communicating progress. This structured approach ensures a systematic and thorough overhaul of language. Furthermore, the company is striving to integrate these practices into its productization pipeline. Dunne notes that UX and product-development representatives are actively engaged, and with the newly formed Inclusive Design and Accessibility function, led by Amber, there’s a strong focus on "proactive work that would help us build checks into the development process so that we can prevent inclusive-design and accessibility issues before they have a chance to develop." This foresight aims to embed inclusive language from the very inception of products, avoiding costly retroactive adjustments.
Systematizing Accessibility: The Flourish Design System
The challenge of retroactively updating decades-old industrial software solutions that were not originally designed for accessibility is significant. Rockwell Automation’s strategy for future releases involves rigorous implementation and testing of accessibility best practices and policies, many of which are still under development. A cornerstone of this strategy is the internal Flourish Design System, a centralized repository of design guidelines, components, and patterns, as illustrated in Figure 3. Jonathon Gulbrandsen, Design System Leader at Rockwell Automation, shed light on how this system is leveraging to drive the adoption of accessible and inclusive practices.
The Multiplier Effect of Design Systems
Gulbrandsen explained that the initial focus for building accessibility into the design system was on "a proper contrast ratio [within] all our common componentry," followed by keyboard accessibility. The emphasis on keyboard accessibility was particularly impactful because it demonstrated benefits for all users, not just those with impairments. In industrial automation, many software applications are immersive, integrated design environments (IDEs) like Rockwell Automation’s FactoryTalk® Design Studio, used by "power users" such as system designers and automation engineers. These power users often prefer the speed and efficiency of keyboard navigation to perform tasks without constantly reaching for a mouse, which can impose physical and cognitive strain during long workdays. Leaders quickly recognized the "win-win" scenario of supporting power users while simultaneously enhancing accessibility for individuals with impairments.
To ensure an appropriate contrast ratio, Rockwell Automation anchored its strategy in compliance, specifically with WCAG 2.1 (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) standards. This approach garners the attention of leadership and product managers, who must prioritize product development. The Design System team first ensured its components were compliant before being released to development teams. Gulbrandsen stated, "For contrast ratio, we built into our component-design process a requirement to test and ensure that the ratio meets at least AA WCAG 2.1 standards for graphics and UI components, and we strive for AAA standards for text." This proactive integration ensures that accessibility is not an afterthought but an inherent quality of every component.
Beyond Compliance: Enhancing User Experience for All
Compliance with modern web standards like WCAG builds customer and user confidence, demonstrating Rockwell Automation’s commitment to meeting the needs of diverse workforces. This ongoing effort is systematically documented; "Every component has an accessibility section within our documentation site that is ready for expansion as we continue to add capabilities that all of our products can use," Gulbrandsen confirmed. Looking ahead, the design system is being developed to be themeable, offering various visual presentations such as dark or high-contrast themes, further expanding accessibility and user preference. By embedding accessibility deeply within its core design system, Rockwell Automation ensures that new products and updates will be inclusive by default, streamlining development and significantly reducing the effort required for future compliance.
A Holistic Approach with Far-Reaching Implications
Rockwell Automation’s multi-pronged approach to inclusive design — encompassing hardware ergonomics, inclusive terminology, and systemic software accessibility — represents a significant leap forward in the industrial automation sector. By aligning its diverse industrial-automation experiences with the needs of a global and diverse user base, the company is not only enhancing the usability and safety of its products but also setting a new benchmark for the industry. The proactive engagement with industry consortia like TerminOrgs, coupled with internal training and the integration of accessibility into core design systems, demonstrates a deep-seated commitment that goes beyond regulatory compliance.
The implications of this holistic strategy are far-reaching. Improved ergonomics and clear visual indicators directly contribute to reduced human error and increased operational uptime, leading to significant economic benefits for customers. An inclusive terminology strategy fosters a more welcoming and efficient global communication environment, attracting diverse talent and strengthening brand perception. By embedding accessibility into the Flourish Design System, Rockwell Automation is future-proofing its software portfolio, ensuring scalability of inclusive practices across hundreds of thousands of SKUs and promoting consistency in user experience. This strategic foresight positions Rockwell Automation as a leader in industrial innovation, recognizing that technological advancement must walk hand-in-hand with human-centric design.
Looking Ahead: Sustaining the Momentum
The journey towards fully inclusive industrial automation is an ongoing effort, but Rockwell Automation has established robust foundations to sustain this momentum for years to come. Whether through establishing best practices for hardware design, evolving terminology to embrace a diverse global employee and user population, or ensuring that its design system incorporates accessibility by default, the commitment remains strong. The forthcoming Part 3 of this series promises to delve into additional critical areas, including Rockwell Automation’s external web presence, localization efforts, and other software standards. This comprehensive and iterative approach exemplifies a commitment to not just adapt to the future of work but to actively shape it, ensuring that industrial automation serves all who interact with it.