Smart monitoring target camera — case study

Shooting range target application’ usability improvement, the project from A to Z.

Project overview or “hitting the bullseye”

The partnership was focused around providing in-depth research for a major player in the defense industry. Our client is known in the shooting community for designing special equipment, in particular target cameras, widely used in long-range shooting events.

At the project’s beginning, our client’s main objective was clear: to refine their cutting-edge target cameras — their products are game-changers, but lack desired precision.

Our idea was using artificial intelligence (computer vision) to automate target recognition — sounds smoothly. But after we gave their equipment a real-world test drive, we realized the problem was bigger than thought — the overall UI/UX experience was not a sharpshooter’s exact dream.

Even with manual markers, the product was feeling rather clunky and unintuitive, which left no room for the high-tech overhaul they envisioned.

Project objectives or “goals that drove us forward”

The cooperation wasn’t just about fixing existing problems — it was a real deep dive into the product’s essence. Our mission was bigger — to investigate every nook and cranny to understand what worked and not, and why. The work has begun with replicating the application and challenging our team at an actual long shooting range. Talk about getting hands-on!

Our goals can be narrowed down to the following four:

• Scoping out the scene: we conducted preliminary and in-depth investigation
• Pinpointing problems: we identified the issues to resolve
• Strategizing for future success: we brainstormed and build fresh concepts
• Proof-of-concept (finally): we implemented and tested different ideas

Main challenges

Every project has its unique obstacles, and this one came with some unusual challenges that tested our mettle. The probably biggest hurdle — truly understanding the users, what they really need, what problems they face, and more.

To crack the code, we didn’t just scratch the surface — we dove into full-on field testing.

1. Setting up a real-world testing environment

Turns out, the legacy shooting application wasn’t plug-and-play — it needed specialized equipment to function. Without that, testing was a non-starter.

We went all in and secured a set of four specialized cameras to create a fully functional setup.

2. Breaking free from inefficient conventional methods

Abstract simulations weren’t helpful — practical application required literally stepping out of the comfort zone. To get real insights, we upped the ante by conducting field tests.

This way, we could truly understand how the shooting application was performing in its inherent conditions.

Main insights

We revealed several shortcomings that had been tripping up users:

• Timestamp troubles: the users were manually recording events, which meant they could lose track during distractions
• Hole marking: the functionality was confusing and error-prone, which added unnecessary complexity
• Missed shots: ground hits got obscured by dust when users switched focus
• No history, no progress: with no historical data, tracking improvements has been nearly impossible
• Static visuals: A frozen, static image has made it hard to differentiate real-time and past events
• Playback delays: real-time tracking was faltered, which made it hard to spot accurate hits

Armed with this knowledge, our team quickly devised a friendly user interface that bypassed these problems. The results: a seamless, intuitive display where events are crystal-clear, which ensures the users are focusing on what really matters, meaning hitting their mark.

Key functionality: the arsenal

The application wasn’t without its merits — it packed solid features, in particular:

• Live pictures from the target camera with a certain FPS
• Saved pictures (directly to the gallery)
• Video recording made directly from the device screen, thus limited by the device resolution
• Manual timestamps
• Frame switching to compare last snapshot with the real-time picture (blinker mode)
• Distance setting to calculate shooter-target distance

On paper, it all looked appealing, but, nonetheless, in practice, several features fell short of hitting the bullseye. It quickly became clear that while the application had potential, it needed an overhaul to truly meet towering user expectations.

Business value: the groundwork for success

The discovery wasn’t just a small stepping stone — it was the bedrock for promising, future-proof opportunities. By bringing outsider perspective and technical know-how together, we identified the strengths and weaknesses while highlighting clear opportunities for growth.

Our client has obtained:

• A fresh, independent perspective to identify overlooked challenges
• Valuable insight into technology to push existing boundaries
• A roadmap to overcome the hurdles and seize the opportunities
• A clear path forward

Summing up

The project has paved the way for some exciting opportunities for both the client and end-users.

For the business itself:

• Market differentiation: a solution that implements computer vision — a true market first!
• Greater revenue: a seamless user experience paired with cutting-edge features — a recipe for attracting paying customers

For the targeted user:

• Automatic tracking — save time, boost accuracy, and that’s completely hands-free
• Timeline playback — review progress, refine technique
• Event editing — modify records to keep cleaner information
• Event filtering — ignore distractions

The project has positioned our client as an industry leader that’s ready to redefine what’s possible and normal in the ammunition market.