In Application Voice Agent
Conversational voice assistant that keeps truck drivers informed, hands-free and compliant
At a glance
I owned and designed Hey Transflo, a conversational voice feature that plugs into Transflo's driver apps. Drivers hear prompts, messages, notifications, hours-of-service status and load details hands-free, so they stay informed and compliant without picking up the phone.
The challenge
Drivers get a constant stream of dispatch messages, load updates and compliance alerts, but reading a screen while driving is unsafe and restricted. They needed a way to stay informed without picking up the phone.
What I led
- Created the concept and owned the feature from first sketch through launch
- Designed the conversation: the "Hey Transflo" phrase, prompts, spoken responses, and clear listening, speaking and recovery states
- Defined the core voice commands: next stop, HOS status, read messages, read notifications and daily summary
- Designed for hands-free, glanceable use so drivers stay focused on the road and within distracted-driving rules
- Built it as a standalone plug-in so any Transflo driver app could add voice
- Built and led the team through repeated rounds of customer input, market and technology research
- Now guiding its next stage as an AI copilot with automated features that learn from how drivers use it
The outcome
Hey Transflo launched in 2019 as its own plug-in feature and was adopted across Transflo's driver apps. Drivers ask for their next stop, HOS status, messages or a summary of their day and hear the answer. Today that foundation is becoming an AI copilot in the cab.
Overview
Hey Transflo is a conversational, in-app voice assistant for truck drivers. I designed it in 2018 as its own plug-in feature, and it launched in 2019. Any Transflo driver app can add it, so drivers get the same hands-free voice experience wherever they work.
Drivers tap the mic, wait for the listening cue, and ask in plain language. Hey Transflo answers out loud, so they can keep their eyes on the road and stay compliant.
What drivers can ask:
"What is my next stop?"
"What is my HOS status?"
"Read my messages."
"Read my notifications."
"Give me a summary."
I owned the feature from the first concept and have led its team through every stage since, from voice assist to the AI copilot it is becoming today.
Services
Conversational Design, Voice UX, Product Ownership, Product Design, Customer & Market Research, AI Product Strategy.
Client name
Transflo
Team
Feature Owner & Lead Designer (John Karl), Product Management, UX Design & Research, Mobile Engineering, Stakeholders, SME's
Designing the Conversation
Goal:
Make talking to the app feel as simple as talking to a dispatcher, with short prompts, clear answers and no guesswork about what the app is doing.
Wake and listen: the "Hey Transflo" screen shows "Things to Ask," so drivers always know what they can say.
Clear states: distinct listening, speaking and ready-to-speak states, each with its own icon and motion.
Graceful recovery: when it doesn't understand, it says so plainly and lets the driver try again or replay the answer.
Hands-Free in the Cab
Purpose:
Give drivers the information they need while driving without asking them to read or tap through screens.
One large mic target to start, and one clear X to close
Spoken answers for next stop, HOS status, messages, notifications and a daily summary
Built as a standalone plug-in so each Transflo driver app could add voice in the same way, on phones and tablets
Designed around distracted-driving rules so drivers stay compliant
From Voice Assist to AI Copilot
Where it is going:
Since launch I have led the team through repeated rounds of customer input, market research and technology research. Each round shaped the next version.
2018: concept, research and conversation design
2019: launched as a plug-in voice feature
Today: evolving into an AI copilot in the cab, with AI-automated features and machine learning that improves from how drivers use it
Hey Transflo: a conversational voice feature that plugs into Transflo's driver apps.
Final observations
Hey Transflo shows how conversational design can make a complex, safety-critical job simpler. Starting with a small set of clear voice commands built trust with drivers, and making it a standalone plug-in let it grow across Transflo's apps. That same foundation is now the starting point for an AI copilot that helps drivers before they even ask.
John Karl
19 Years • Product & UX Design Leader Leading Mobile Product for 500K+ Users
If you like what you see or have any questions, feel free to send me an email anytime.
Selected work
[2010 -2025]
