UX for the Real World
How the IoT Is Changing Our Built Environments
The IoT (Internet of Things) in essence is a part of our future wherein every object, natural or man-made; our buildings, our homes, even our bodies can be communicating data in real time. The challenge for those developing built environments of the future will be to harness this data in meaningful ways, to understand user’s needs, wants and desires, to tailor user experiences to user behaviors and ultimately keep users coming back.
With most of our time spent either in the work place or in public spaces, there are numerous opportunities to change these spaces through the IoT. The data gathered will help us to ease movement and navigation, improve security, increase economic activity and create customized user experiences. Our challenge in our work at LIMAH; with our focus on real world UX is to research, propose and implement meaningful ways to include the IoT and its applications. When we think of a public space from purely a user’s point of view we can uncover numerous opportunities to grab their attention, attend to their needs and make a positive impact on their lives. Our projects have provided such opportunities, below are a few examples of how public spaces will be changed by the IoT, making them more useful, more usable and more enjoyable environments.
Smart Parking
For the majority of us living in urban areas we have nearly a daily problem of finding parking. While future public transit is sure to improve and become more efficient, the car will remain the primary mode of transport for the near future. It seems as though self-driving cars will take over soon, these will still need a place to park in some cases. Parking has always been a dreaded part of any trip into a dense urban neighborhood. Smart Parking applications already in development and use in some cities allow drivers to find parking in carparks on streets quickly and efficiently rather than circling the block endlessly in search of an open spot. Not only will this reduce fuel consumption but of course alleviates much of the stress that goes along with the search for an open space.
Inside Carparks
Once inside carparks for example in a large shopping mall, opportunities exist to guide drivers to open spaces or assign at entry thereby reducing the frustration and time of search for spots. Once parked, connect this information to your mobile and not only can you remember where you parked, but how about ordering a carwash or through a key drop, having your shopping bags delivered your car while you continue to shop. Your space information and car details will be connected to the malls security and management. Find yourself at the total opposite end of the mall and have your car delivered to the nearest entrance.
Navigating the Public Space
Most buildings and public spaces today rely on signage to guide users. While signage is likely to always have a place in identification of doors, spaces, and places, the way in which we navigate to them will likely be improved upon greatly. While mobile applications have begun to appear in public spaces, they are quite primitive at this stage, merely mobile versions of websites, with branded messages. Future mobile applications and devices will become necessary tools in navigation. Looking for the washrooms merely select and icon which points you in the right direction. AR and VR will play a role in this type of navigation, already with some early iterations on the market. Have a question?, select and the information icon and be connected to customer service instantly. As GPS and beacon technologies become more precise across wireless in buildings, exact locations can be found even across multi story buildings, again elevating stress and frustration. These devices and applications if done correctly can cover all of the principles of wayfinding; to orient, to direct, to inform, to welcome, to create a positive experience.
User Experience in the Public Space
The buildings of today and the future to be successful will go beyond form and materials. To be successful they will need to make personal connections to the user. To make the user feel connected to the space, become part of the environment and make an impact on it. Developers will be able to gain valuable insights into users based on their behaviors. Again taking retail spaces as an example, the IoT will provide retailers with opportunities to track purchases, demographics, and historical data on every user. This data being tracked real time across a mall environment would allow retailers to target specific customers to encourage repeat business. How about a sale on shirts similar to what you bought last time specific only to you, or your favorite café lures you back with a free coffee knowing that you are in the neighborhood. We have seen it in the movies, but soon technologies will allow advertising across digital platforms to change based on proximity demographics, thereby making adverting more effective. No more elevator music, when you enter a lift, it will play music from your preferred genre and artists. With future wearable devices monitoring your body critical data, these can alert you to even what kind of food, macro nutrients, hydration would be best for you at this moment, and just so happens a nearby restaurant has that on the menu.
For developers access to the user’s data and movements will be invaluable. Tracking movement of all users within a space will give insight into opportunities for positioning of retail outlets, promotional stands, and finding ways to push users to areas less traveled. In case of emergency, knowing the total users and their exact locations could be lifesaving in natural disasters or security threats.
While much of this technology exists it will take more time for it to become cost effective and for developers to be able to collect and analyze the data effectively. Further for the public to embrace these technologies security and privacy of personal data will need to be ensured. Ultimately the IoT in the public space will provide two critical pieces of information; data on every user in the space, and information on ways to improve those users experiences to become more positive, making them want to return and tell others of their positive experience.
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Learn more about our work in experience design, wayfinding and public art at @ limahdesign.com
