Lin Bele Jacobsen

Projects

Farmers using machine learning

Learning new technology using machine learning, sound analytics and GPS – This project gave me new tools in my toolbelt!

Role
UX · Agile Coach · Agile Product Owner
Client
Mimiro
Year
2019-2020
Team
3 in Norway · 22 engineers in Bosch Bangalore (India) · 25 in total
A tractor ploughing a dusty field at golden hour, with birch trees and tall grass in the foreground.
Designing for farmers — registering field activity by sound, GPS and machine learning.

My key takeaways

Learning new technology using machine learning, sound analytics and GPS – This project gave me new tools in my toolbelt! Especially rewarding working with highly skilled engineers making sense of sound and data with machine learning. Being part of an energetic, data-driven, and entrepreneurial culture has been truly satisfying.

Project goals

  • Help farmers register their field activities to make sure they can confidently report this to the Norwegian government
  • With the help of sound, determine and register the ongoing activity the farmer is doing in his fields
  • Help the farmer delegate his tasks to his employees

Role and methodology

As this is a new tool using technology that has never solved a task like this, initial research was crucial. We hosted several workshops with farmers.

  • In-depth interviews at farms
  • User panel with monthly communication with the users
  • Wireframing and writing user stories
Diagram of the designer's tasks across five categories: Research, Ideation, User testing, Scrum and Product Management.
My tasks, grouped by discipline.

One of the reasons I was able to land this job was my experience with successful projects in India. Mimiro had chosen to partner up with Bosch India for this project. This was due to Bosch’s strong teams of engineers within sound analytics and machine learning.

A large group of Bosch India colleagues sitting together outdoors in front of a large red "#LikeABosch" sign.
The Bosch India engineering team.

I’ve done wireframing in Sketch and written all user stories for this tool, for iOS, Android and Web. I’ve also been the Product Owner and had a team of 22 engineers in Bosch India. I’ve worked in India every other month since I started in Mimiro. It has truly been rewarding working with so many highly skilled people in Bosch. In March 2019 we had 40 beta users testing our MVP for the entire growing season. We did thorough interviews with all users, making sure we found what could be changed or strengthened. In March 2020 we released our finished tool to the App Store and Google Play.

Four screens from the finished farm app: a task list, a field-boundary drawing tool on a satellite map, a task dashboard, and an activity recording screen.
The finished app — task management, field boundaries and activity recording.

Challenges

The exciting journey of startup life

Working for a startup has been an exhilarating experience, filled with unique opportunities and growth. While the journey has its challenges, these have ultimately shaped our success.

Balancing resources

A key challenge has been finding the right balance in resource allocation as we scale. This requires constant attention to ensure we maximise our potential.

The agile dance

Our daily routine involved building wireframes, enhancing designs, and facilitating agile ceremonies. This fast-paced environment fosters creativity but can also be intense.

Leading a dynamic team

Managing a diverse team of over 20 talented individuals has been both rewarding and complex. Harmonising different perspectives was essential to achieving our goals.

Pioneering new technologies

Using cutting-edge technologies to tackle unprecedented tasks is exciting yet challenging. Our journey often involves trial and error, leading to innovative solutions.

Collaborative innovation

Ideation workshops with developers, designers, and farmers highlight the power of diverse perspectives. While aligning these viewpoints can be tough, it drives our projects forward.

Five colleagues at a glass wall covered in sticky notes during an ideation workshop.
An ideation workshop in progress.

Celebrating success

After more than a year of hard work, celebrating a successful release with our dedicated team was a joyous milestone. It reminds us why we embrace the startup life: the thrill of creating something meaningful together.