Maestro GUI

TEAM

Moran

Product Manager

Emilie

Clinical Researcher

Jefferey

Chief Strategy Officer

Ritwik

Data Scientist

Tapforce Agency

Software Developer

ROLE

0 -> 1 Concept

Design System

UX Research

Product Launch

DURATION

May' 24 - Apr' 25

As a contractor, I worked at Moon Surgical as the only Product Designer (AI) to support them in their digital transformation and be ready for the future.

I created the Maestro Insights Platform based on business requirements and crafted it into an end-to-end, currently live AI based dashboard that helps surgeon adopt and become an expert in using robots to conduct surgeries, drastically reducing fatigue, saving costs and making resources available.

View Impact

Preview of the Maestro Insights Platform

Project Overview

CONTEXT

The Maestro robotic system integrates seamlessly into any existing Operating Room setup.

The robot collects data through sensors and cameras during procedures. This data powers real-time decision-making and post-surgery reflection, enabling a continuous loop of learning and improvement for surgeons and their teams.

This case study features end-to-end design of the Maestro Insights Platform — the post-surgical reflection tool for surgeons.

Project Features

FEATURES OF MAESTRO INSIGHTS

Trend Cards

Trend Cards are located on the dashboard page for surgeons. It helps surgeons make sense of critical KPIs at a glance.

“If something shifted, I’d like to know up front, just the key signals.”

View Design Exploration

Surgeon Dashboard with Trend Cards

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Distribution Chart

Also on surgeon dashboard, distribution charts help surgeons track their procedure targets over time, in an interactive way.

“If I can see how I’ve used the robot over time, I can better understand the value it’s adding”

“If I can see how I’ve used the robot over time, I can better understand the value it’s adding.”

View Design Exploration

Surgeon Dashboard with Distribution Chart

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Recent Cases

Recent cases allow a surgeon to keep track of their latest cases and track their case time, notes, as well as detailed AI analysis.

“I like to check what I did recently, my cases, timing, and if anything needs my attention?”

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Surgeon Dashboard with Recent Cases

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Clicking a Recent Case opens up a detailed AI Synopsis Modal

Surgeons can get a detailed analysis of their case performed through Maestro robot and take actionable insights

Surgeon Dashboard with Recent Cases

COMPONENTS OF RECENT CASES

Case Intelligence uses LLM to provide case summary

Coupled with numbers, recent cases provide a holistic picture

Surgeons see details of the instruments they used with the robot, learn actionable insights

For note taking, just say "Hey Maestro", and continue speaking. AI steps in.

For note taking,
just say "Hey Maestro", and continue speaking. AI steps in.

FOR HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATORS

Admin Dashboard

Hospital administrators can track a site's robot performance in the form of metrics such as Top Service Lines, Surgeons, and live robot status.

“I would like to see how the robot is used in order to justify the return on investment”

View Design Exploration

Administrator Dashboard with KPIs

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OR Traffic Control

This space serves as the live robot status and schedule for the administrators to track. They can even track robotic cases in real time.

“I would need a clear picture of how Maestro is used throughout the day.”

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Administrator OR TRaffic Control with Live Case

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Clicking a scheduled case opens up a Live Case modal

Administrators can get a closer look on the events that took place during the case.

Admin Traffic Control with Live Case modal

Problem and Process

USER NEEDS AND PRODUCT CONCEPTUALIZATION

The Maestro system is a compact robot, which helps surgeons perform minimally invasive surgeries with precision

The Maestro system is a compact robot, which helps surgeons perform minimally invasive surgeries with precision.

However, Surgeons are not able to track its impact

The system is built to create feedback loops: capturing data and reflecting it back to users. But, the way it presents insights isn’t intuitive or actionable.

To solve this, we wanted to understand what's important for the surgeons

We did this by collecting data through 3 methods.

The data collection helped us pinpoint two distinct users (Surgeons, and Hospital Administrators), with overlapping needs.

During brainstorming for solutions, we ideated three distinct concepts: Email templates, PDF reports, or an interactive dashboard

However, after interviewing users, analyzing competition and realizing the dynamic KPI requirements, we locked in on an interactive dashboard.

We aligned with the team to prioritize the KPIs that are feasible, impactful, and worth building for users

This alignment lead to the conceptualization of the Dashboard.

After brainstorming design ideas, I created an outline of the system architecture for the Dashboard

This was followed by creating wireframes to test them with our trusted partners

After concept validation, we needed a high fidelity lift to test further and move forward

Once the mockups were ready, this is what they looked like

For refinement, I interviewed 11 surgeons and had them give us a score across 3 categories

“This feels more like something for data enthusiasts. I don’t see myself using it regularly.”

“I don’t have time to scan graphs or numbers, just tell me what I need to know.”

“Looks better than MyIntuitive for sure, but it’s the same kind of data - and I don’t really use that either.”

It was clear from the results that surgeons needed something more than just data, they needed insights

I presented the findings to our stakeholders, which helped us pivot to an AI focused insights platform

Our realignment introduced LLM based insights and a vibrant design system

This move led to the creation of Phase 1.0 of Maestro Insights

IMPACT

We launched the product in Dec'24 and gauged the impact until Mar'25

Go Back To Case Study

HERE ARE MY TAKEAWAYS

Product Development is rarely linear.

Research helped me re-question assumptions and reframe success around real-world value.

Real-world testing shaped real-world priorities.

Contextual testing helped us prioritize what truly mattered in the OR.

Adoption is emotional, not just functional.

I learned that trust is earned when tools feel intuitive, not imposed.

Contents

Project Overview

Features

Design Process

Impact

Takeaway

TEAM

Moran

Product Manager

Emilie

Clinical Researcher

Jefferey

Chief Strategy Officer

ROLE

Product Redesign

Design System

Usability Testing

Robot Interface

DURATION

Jul' 24 - Sep' 24

As the sole Product Designer at Moon Surgical, I redesigned their robot's second-generation human interface to drive expansion across U.S. hospitals. Through analysis of screens, logs, and feedback, I addressed visual hierarchy and cognitive load issues. The new icon-focused system streamlined use, improved recognition, and boosted adoption nationwide.

View Impact

Preview of the robot's second generation human-machine interface

Project Overview

CONTEXT

Surgical teams use Maestro's human-machine interface to control the robot digitally

The interface lets them set up the robot for specific laparoscopic surgeries. The set up includes choosing procedure, poses, positioning, arm presets, camera modes, force, etc.

Close-up of Maestro Robot's GUI in action

GOAL

Identifying friction points of users and creating a design system which tackles those problems and supports widespread adoption

Our team had a high level idea of user problems and needs and were aware that we needed a new design system. I focused on pinpointing friction areas by talking to users.

Problem

WHY WAS A REDESIGN NEEDED?

Moon Surgical's ground support team flagged that Maestro assisted surgeries were often getting cancelled midway due to problems with robot's touch controls.

The Maestro system is a compact robot, which helps surgeons perform minimally invasive surgeries with precision.

We analyzed the user complaints and spoke to them which uncovered issues such as clutter, confusion, cognitive overload. These high level reasons caused the users to cancel robotic surgeries and continue traditional ones.

Research revealed 3 key problems with the interface

Excessive touch targets in a linear flow

Users expected to follow a linear, three step journey to complete the robot setup, but the interface showed too many touch targets in a disorganized, often close packed fashion, causing cognitive fatigue, hesitation, and errors.

Touch Targets

Screenshot of the GUI showing high number of touch targets in boxes

Unclear Instructions

Guided instructions for setup lacked visual hierarchy and clarity, leaving users unsure of what to do next - leading to backtracking, and time consuming setup.

Instructions

Screenshot of the GUI with instructions highlighted in boxes

Fault modals with no context

When a fault occurs, modals appear without contextual fault message or recovery option, often blocking the entire interface - forcing users to restart the system - breaking trust and disrupting critical workflows.

Faults

Screenshot of the GUI showing fault modals blocking the interface

Design Process

DESIGN PRINCIPLES

To solve these problems, I followed three key design principles for the redesign.

The principles addressed several of these issues, including an icon based system with less clutter and higher focus. Because faults in a high stake system should be easier to deal with, handling was prioritized. Finally, the flow was simplified by making it more straight forward.

Emphasis on icons

Prioritize Fault Handling

Movement Guidance

DESIGN SYSTEM

Using the principles, I created a design system

I followed the atomic design methodology to create the design system, keeping in mind the established design principles.

Canvas showing some of the design system components

Solution

IMPLEMENTATION

With the new design system, I was able to address the three concerns

Reduction in touch targets

To reduce cognitive overload and make the process simple and clear, only the must have features were surfaced during setup (positioning, locking, etc).

Screenshot of GUI 2.0 showing the setup screen with minimal touch targets

Improved Fault Handling

Instead of displaying screen blocking modals with no context, bright labels are displayed at the top which does not hinder user's view of other elements and give more information.

Screenshot of GUI 2.0 showing the setup screen with contextual fault label

Guided Instructions

We decided to only have must have instructions as immersive animation to briefly guide the user through the adjustment process. Everything else was loaded into a reference manual.