The past three phases consists of primary and secondary research, observation, and user testing which helped the define the key issues with remote communication in a workplace and resulted in an opportunity for designing! Some of the key issues identified is a lack of presence from the remote user and this is due to the fact that there is no visual presence which lead to unseen body language and facial expression. Remote users found it difficult to speak up during meetings as they did not know when to take their turn.
In Phase 4, I began iterating design solutions for the problems found. This started off with pages of thumbnails sketches to start the ideation process. The initial concepts mainly focused on different methods of displays/ screens to bring a visual presence for the remote user and pairing in with an earpiece for clear audio calls. After consulting with professionals about these initial concepts, the product began to change.
Many iterations later, the final concept, although still needs refining, became a robotic system that provided the remote user with a physical presence through the robot.
The current concept is a robot that has the capability to mimic body movements and facial expressions of the remote user and plays it back in real time during a meeting. This way the remote user has a physical presence and will not be forgotten. The remote user is even able to grab the attention of the other users without having to interrupt rudely.
Use Cycle
The current use cycle for the product is so:
1. Remove the robot for its charging carrier when ready to use.
2. Push the "belly" of the robot to turn on the robot.
3. The robot will then start up. Place the robot in front users in the meeting. Wait for remote user to call in from their end. You will hear and see the remote user through the robot.
4. Put on the carrrier to bring the robot around. This way, if necessary, you can bring the remote user around to show around the office of introduce remote users to other co-workers.
5. When done with the robot, place back into charging carrier to charge, it will go to sleep on it's own
Community Consultation
During this phase, we had a Community Consultation day where professions from the industry, students and faculty at Carleton were welcome to come see our project during this process and provide feedback. This consultation provided me with great feedback, and helped me prepare for the presenting the final project for the end of the year grad show. With the given feedback, I will further refine my concept and in the end create a looks-like prototype with some working component of the product.
In Phase 4, I began iterating design solutions for the problems found. This started off with pages of thumbnails sketches to start the ideation process. The initial concepts mainly focused on different methods of displays/ screens to bring a visual presence for the remote user and pairing in with an earpiece for clear audio calls. After consulting with professionals about these initial concepts, the product began to change.
Many iterations later, the final concept, although still needs refining, became a robotic system that provided the remote user with a physical presence through the robot.
The current concept is a robot that has the capability to mimic body movements and facial expressions of the remote user and plays it back in real time during a meeting. This way the remote user has a physical presence and will not be forgotten. The remote user is even able to grab the attention of the other users without having to interrupt rudely.
Use Cycle
The current use cycle for the product is so:
1. Remove the robot for its charging carrier when ready to use.
2. Push the "belly" of the robot to turn on the robot.
3. The robot will then start up. Place the robot in front users in the meeting. Wait for remote user to call in from their end. You will hear and see the remote user through the robot.
4. Put on the carrrier to bring the robot around. This way, if necessary, you can bring the remote user around to show around the office of introduce remote users to other co-workers.
5. When done with the robot, place back into charging carrier to charge, it will go to sleep on it's own
Community Consultation
During this phase, we had a Community Consultation day where professions from the industry, students and faculty at Carleton were welcome to come see our project during this process and provide feedback. This consultation provided me with great feedback, and helped me prepare for the presenting the final project for the end of the year grad show. With the given feedback, I will further refine my concept and in the end create a looks-like prototype with some working component of the product.
