Designing Safe Call Controls for Two Wheelers

Ola Electric is leading India’s two-wheeler EV revolution with the S1 — a high-performance electric scooter featuring a 7-inch touchscreen and a keyless experience, all integrated with the Ola Electric app.

Ola S1 scooters come equipped with Bluetooth and speakers—making it possible to introduce calling functionality directly into the scooter’s dashboard. Our goal was to design a seamless experience that allowed riders to answer or reject calls without taking their hands off the handlebar or eyes off the road. This feature had to be intuitive, safe, and familiar, without overwhelming the rider.

Most two-wheeler riders either miss important calls or take risky actions to answer them while riding. Unlike four-wheelers, scooters rarely offer in-built call controls. With Ola S1’s connected tech, we had the opportunity to fill that gap—but safety and simplicity had to lead the design.

We explored different input methods (touchscreen vs physical controls), call notification styles, and interaction flows. A major constraint: the touchscreen becomes inactive when the scooter is in motion for safety reasons. This meant we had to lean heavily on physical interaction through the control pad and make the visual cues on the screen extremely clear and reactive.

We created dynamic, state-aware icons that clearly signaled when call controls were active or inactive. Riders could accept or reject calls using the right-side control pad, ensuring safe interaction without relying on the touchscreen. The interface was intentionally minimal, designed for maximum legibility in bright sunlight and while in motion. We tested multiple iterations to ensure the interaction felt intuitive and reduced rider distraction to an absolute minimum.

The feature first rolled out in the MoveOS 3 BETA in October 2022 and reached all Ola S1 users by December 2022. Riders appreciated the ability to stay connected without unsafe hacks—many compared it to the convenience of car dashboards.

The calling feature was widely adopted and well-received. It reinforced Ola’s position as a leader in two-wheeler innovation and elevated the overall riding experience. For me, this project was about bridging the gap between safety and convenience—by designing an interaction that just feels right on two wheels. It’s a small but meaningful shift that redefines what riders can expect from their vehicles.