In the context of dangerous and heavy machinery much work can only be achieved by working together. Yet, as we try to bring in modern digital technologies we discover that their design is still very much as a personal product to be used by one person.

Removal of parts of a railway locomotive can require co-ordination between 3 or more individuals (who maybe on opposite sides of the locomotive and unable to easily see each other) – and the equipment is heavy and can inflict serious damage to a person who is not adequately protected and focussed on what is happening.

Bringing digital transformation into this space risks distracting people from the physical work and from the needs of their colleagues.

If a mobile computing device is to be useful, then it probably needs to ‘belong’ to the locomotive rather than to a specific engineer.

Add to that the fact that the purpose of a digital device is primarily to track the work being done, rather than support the execution of that work, and one has to start asking tough questions about the user experience of technology in physical, industrial work.