User Research, Interview, Analysis
Dec 2023 - Jan 2024 (8 weeks)
4
This assessment for the Design for Inclusivity course:
・Involves group analysis of existing products or services
・Helps individually develop an evidence-based inclusive design solution.
This module aims to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of the diverse needs of various user groups, including the elderly and individuals with temporary or permanent disabilities, and how these needs should be incorporated into design.
Inclusive design focuses on accessibility, ensuring products meet the needs of people from diverse demographics and physical conditions. It recognizes the gaps left by conventional designs.
The gap refers to the limitations of conventional design in meeting the needs of all users, particularly those with vision, dexterity, mobility, hearing and cognitive.
HomePod is equipped with Siri, enabling users to perform various tasks such as setting reminders, sending messages, and managing smart home
The device facilitates straightforward control of smart home functions and tasks through the initiation of requests via brief conversations.
It possesses the capability to identify smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, notifying users through their iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch when such sounds are detected.
HomePod provides clear audio with adjustable volume, essential for users with hearing impairments. Siri's ability to repeat or slow down information further enhances accessibility.
HomePod integrates seamlessly with Apple's ecosystem, supporting features like VoiceOver for users with visual or motor impairments. This ensures broad compatibility with various assistive technologies.
Presenting status on a screenless device like HomePod is challenging, but Siri mitigates this by offering explanations and asking questions to keep users informed.
If user miss the response, simply ask it to repeat, and it will do so. This feature enhances usability, allowing easy repetition of information for user convenience.
HomePod provides clear audio with adjustable volume, essential for users with hearing impairments. Siri's ability to repeat or slow down information further enhances accessibility.
HomePod integrates seamlessly with Apple's ecosystem, supporting features like VoiceOver for users with visual or motor impairments. This ensures broad compatibility with various assistive technologies.
Presenting status on a screenless device like HomePod is challenging, but Siri mitigates this by offering explanations and asking questions to keep users informed.
If user miss the response, simply ask it to repeat, and it will do so. This feature enhances usability, allowing easy repetition of information for user convenience.
Exclusion
6.2%
HomePod features a simple and round shape, and it also offers a dark colour option. People with visual impairments can more clearly perceive their current location.
Exclusion
5.6%
Users can require louder audio output or clear speech from the HomePod. Starting with iOS 17, they can adjust the speaking speed to make it faster or slower according to their preference.
Exclusion
11.4%
Cognitive changes can affect memory and problem-solving. If the user doesn't remember the response, they can simply request it again.
Exclusion
4.8%
No physical buttons and its shape make it easy for to hold. Voice commands can help minimise physical interaction.
Exclusion
17.2%
HomePod allows for control of home devices via voice commands without needing to move around.
Voice User iInterfaces (VUIs) are pivotal in making technology accessible, especially for people with disabilities. These interfaces facilitate natural language interaction, offering hands-free control that can benefit those with physical, visual, cognitive, or dexterity impairments.
VUIs, such as Apple’s Siri and Amazon’s Alexa, primarily cater to younger users. Older adults and individuals with disabilities are often neglected in the design process. VUIs need to accommodate the elderly population better, especially in terms of anthropomorphization, understanding empathy, and voice interaction designs suited for this group.
VUIs reduce the need for physical manipulation of devices. By providing voice commands, individuals with limited physical ability can execute actions that would typically require touch or fine motor skills.
VUIs provide an auditory interface, meaning users don’t need to rely on visual input to interact with technology. This makes it easier for users with visual impairments to access services and information.
VUIs can remind individuals of important tasks, repeat information as needed, and help navigate tasks that involve memory or comprehension.
The research also highlights the importance of empathy in VUI design for older users. As older adults may struggle with conventional technology, VUIs offer simpler, hands-free interaction that enhances their independence.
75 y.o. / Housewife /
Lives with her family
Introvert
Extrovert
Safe
Risk taker
Time Poor
Time Rich
Messy
Organised
Luddit
Tech Savvy
Passive
Active
Grandma Lee lives with her family in a multi-storey house in the UK. Since her husband's passing two years ago, she’s focused on staying independent, with family support but without wanting to burden them.
She keeps active with exercise, chores, social activities, and games on her devices, prioritizing her health with daily walks, cycling, and morning arm exercises.
・Prefers to check doors physically
・Follow a guide or manual rather than ask for help
・Skepticism toward new technologies.
・Values independence
・Enjoys easy task management, and seeks convenience in daily life.
・Wants peace of mind and sense of security
・Have the ability to complete tasks efficiently without assistance.
・Focus on exercises
・Health-conscious
・Independent desired
・Daily inconveniences
・Daily tech use
・Struggle with technology
・Negative technology views
・Positive technology views
・Tech assistance
・Humanising technology
・Daily tool use
・Environmental adjustments
・Ageing concerns
Adapt their surroundings to simplify daily tasks, striving for an environment that supports their needs.
Utilise tools to enhance convenience in their lives, aiding them in memory recall and task management.
Seek reassurance as their trust in technology is low or developing.
Hesitate to ask for assistance with technology, driven by concerns about the reactions of younger family members.
Desire confidence. Prefer clear and simple manuals with straightforward language and illustrations, as they may be unfamiliar with tech jargon.
Conscious of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, she engages in active ageing to reduce the risk of health-related issues.
The new HomePod concept features an additional screen that displays key words or illustrations from its responses.
It also provides task notifications and displays them on the screen, helping to reduce the user's workload and boost their confidence in managing daily tasks.
The Home app simplifies users' lives by offering medication reminders, health information, and daily exercise routines.
Grandma Lee is doing arm exercises, following guidance from HomePod.
After lunch, as Grandma Lee reads her book, HomePod reminds her to take her medicine.
She then asks HomePod how to grow tomatoes, and it provides easy-to-follow instructions.
While chatting with her son, HomePod reminds her to dress up for an upcoming event she almost forgot about.
The features were designed based on insights collected from user interviews.
Based on the insight from P1 and P2, the participant places significant importance on her health, and she would greatly benefit from an exercise program tailored to her needs.
User can benefit from a larger screen by having improved visibility, making it easier to read text, view images, and interact with app elements, reducing strain on their eyes.
Providing appropriate exercises for the elderly improves muscle strength and flexibility, with easy-to-follow tutorials featuring verbal guidance and subtitles.
Based on the insight from P1, it would be beneficial if HomePod and the app could assist with remembering medications.
Medicine
12 pm
Theraflu MaxGrip
2 pills(15mg)
Theraflu MaxGrip
2 pills(15mg)
M-Vit
syrup(5 ml)
Drawing from the insight in P2, providing straightforward descriptions, along with illustrations, would make it easier for users to quickly understand and even reduce cognitive load.
Step 2
Transplanting
Step 3
Sunbath 6 hrs
For instance, when a user asks how to plant tomatoes, HomePod breaks the process down into simple steps, making it simpler for the user to follow.
Reflecting user insights, they note their schedules on paper calendars but may still forget them. Home can automatically remind them of their plans as the event approaches.
When using the exclusion calculator, it was challenging to define the problems users might encounter with the product because each person's health condition varies, such as differences in long-term memory abilities.
Elderly users typically desire a voice assistant that emulates more natural human interactions. While HomePod adequately responds, its tone lacks naturalness and comes across as rather flat, leaving users with a sense of emotional absence. This extended experience can result in a perceived lack of engagement.
