Case Study: IoT | Software Development

MTH Electric Trains: Crafting A User Experience for Hobbyists to Love

MTH Electric Trains wanted to evolve their popular handheld controller into a modern mobile experience. Mutually Human developed iOS and Android apps that extended the system’s functionality, giving train enthusiasts powerful new ways to control and enjoy their layouts.

Crafting A User Experience for Hobbyists to Love

MTH Electric Trains designs and manufactures premium model trains and components. Based in Columbia, Maryland, the company markets products under the RailKing, Realtrax, Tinplate Traditions, and Digital Command Systems brands. It also produces replicas of classic Lionelbranded products.

Business Challenge:

MTH Electric Trains sought a partner to help evolve their popular DCS handheld controller into a modern mobile solution that could integrate seamlessly with embedded hardware.

MTH Electric Trains’ Digital Command System (DCS) empowers hobbyists to control their layouts using a wireless handheld controller. Billed as “Simply the Best Way to Run a Railroad,” the system supports an impressive set of features, including the ability to control 99 engines at the same time. The original DCS handheld remote was an instant hit with MTH customers, resembling a television remote and communicating with the layouts through radio frequency (RF). But as powerful as the original handheld remote was, MTH knew the future of DCS was in powerful and flexible mobile devices. This led to a search for a partner that not only knew mobile software development, but that also understood the unique challenges of integrating mobile software with embedded hardware.

Approach:

MTH partnered with Mutually Human to develop custom iOS and Android apps that extended DCS functionality, delivering a modern, intuitive control experience for hobbyists while preserving compatibility with existing hardware.

MTH selected SpinDance to develop custom mobile iOS and Android applications that would replicate and extend the functionality of the handheld remote. SpinDance engineers worked closely with MTH staff to craft a user experience hobbyists would love. Together, MTH and SpinDance defined an entirely new method of interacting with trains that wasn’t possible using the original remote.

Features of the solution include:

Leveraging existing hardware, protecting the investment made by MTH and hobbyist alike.
Automatically discovering the train’s WiFi module, and querying engines to determine which feature they supported.
Presenting a user interface tailored around the unique features of the model engines.
Controlling multiple engines at the same time – including trains from other vendors!
Supporting lifelike features including speed bells. whistles, horns, and smoke.
Controlling track accessories like switches and lights.

Results:

The mobile apps were a hit with MTH enthusiasts, leading to the development of a premium version and an ongoing partnership with Mutually Human to continue enhancing the user experience.

The initial iOS and Android apps were an instant hit with MTH enthusiasts, and MTH quickly moved to develop a premium application that added even more features to enhance the experience. “Mutually Human continues to be a great partner,” said Dave Krebiehl, VP of Research and Development at MTH. “Their collective work ethic and dedication to our projects ensures success.” Mutually Human is proud to partner with MTH, and looks forward to rolling together into the future.

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