Human Machine Interaction
What is HMI?
Human Machine Interaction is the scientific study of the usability aspects of peoples’ interaction with computers and other systems through both field studies in users’ workplaces and laboratory experiments with trial subjects.
How are field studies carries out?
Field studies are very often the choice for analysing human machine intereaction due to the nature of the domains that are faced (product development, control rooms, cockpits, ship bridges, large scale simulators, etc.) But also with respect to software development and development of mechatronic systems it is very often a requirement to carry out experiments on location, for example due to confidentiality requirements and to gain an accurate impression of work practices.
There are a large range of techniques that can be used in field studies, for example, interviews (semi-structured and unstructured), critical incident techniques, questionnaires, observation, eye-mark recordings, video analysis, system logs, and document inspection.
What is the "think aloud protocol"?
The 'think aloud' protocol is a rather simple but very powerful method for evaluating user interfaces. A user is set a task and asked to think loud while accomplishing the task, possibly with encouragement from the observer. The data collection is based on video, audio and screen capture, together with observers’ notes.
How is R.E.D. used?
Remote Eye Tracking Devices (R.E.D.) enable eye-mark recordings in a non-intrusive way without placing any instruments on the user. Consequently, the fact that users can interact comfortably with a given system, REDs permit unique possibilities for carrying out detailed usability evaluations. Moreover, the devices allow the study of people collaborating through the interface.
The R.E.D. is placed in front of the subject below the line of gaze. Then the R.E.D. tracks head and eye movements, by way of a computer controlled video camera with automatic focus and zoom, mirror technology, and infrared light.
How can you apply these theories to your work?
The commercialisation of Human Machine Interface studies allows services and support for a wide range of companies and organisations that produce software or incorporate software and electronic controls into their products; or that are concerned with monitoring tasks and complex on- and off-line decision processes involving information retrieval, for example in relation to product development, engineering design and software development. Some examples include the IT, medical, telecom, transport, machine manufacturing and electronics industries.
HMI technology can also be used to evaluate individual and team based work activities.
Answers to the above questions are sourced from: http://www.risoe.dk/sys/facilities/hmi_lab.htm
Human Machine Interaction is the scientific study of the usability aspects of peoples’ interaction with computers and other systems through both field studies in users’ workplaces and laboratory experiments with trial subjects.
How are field studies carries out?
Field studies are very often the choice for analysing human machine intereaction due to the nature of the domains that are faced (product development, control rooms, cockpits, ship bridges, large scale simulators, etc.) But also with respect to software development and development of mechatronic systems it is very often a requirement to carry out experiments on location, for example due to confidentiality requirements and to gain an accurate impression of work practices.
There are a large range of techniques that can be used in field studies, for example, interviews (semi-structured and unstructured), critical incident techniques, questionnaires, observation, eye-mark recordings, video analysis, system logs, and document inspection.
What is the "think aloud protocol"?
The 'think aloud' protocol is a rather simple but very powerful method for evaluating user interfaces. A user is set a task and asked to think loud while accomplishing the task, possibly with encouragement from the observer. The data collection is based on video, audio and screen capture, together with observers’ notes.
How is R.E.D. used?
Remote Eye Tracking Devices (R.E.D.) enable eye-mark recordings in a non-intrusive way without placing any instruments on the user. Consequently, the fact that users can interact comfortably with a given system, REDs permit unique possibilities for carrying out detailed usability evaluations. Moreover, the devices allow the study of people collaborating through the interface.
The R.E.D. is placed in front of the subject below the line of gaze. Then the R.E.D. tracks head and eye movements, by way of a computer controlled video camera with automatic focus and zoom, mirror technology, and infrared light.
How can you apply these theories to your work?
The commercialisation of Human Machine Interface studies allows services and support for a wide range of companies and organisations that produce software or incorporate software and electronic controls into their products; or that are concerned with monitoring tasks and complex on- and off-line decision processes involving information retrieval, for example in relation to product development, engineering design and software development. Some examples include the IT, medical, telecom, transport, machine manufacturing and electronics industries.
HMI technology can also be used to evaluate individual and team based work activities.
Answers to the above questions are sourced from: http://www.risoe.dk/sys/facilities/hmi_lab.htm
posted by Ivan | 7:29 AM
1 Comments:
Hey Ivan,
I reckon the "think aloud protocol" would be incredibly useful when evaluating our designs for site navigation too!
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