Reference:
The Design of Future Things
Donald A. Norman
2007 Basic Books
Summary:
Though most electronic devices have feedback in the form of flashing lights or buzzers, the information they provide is not always helpful. At the same time, many devices that employ useful noises become more and more silent. Norman believes that affordances, or the range of activities that can be performed upon an object, should be integral in designing new things. In addition, devices should not try to predict the actions of people, but should themselves act in a predictable fashion. Norman also notes that an effective method of improving safety is to create a sense of danger without actually increasing the danger. This trick leads people to behave more cautiously than they normally would.
Discussion:
I am particularly fond of Norman's description of cobots, or robots that collaborate with users. For example, if a user pushes on the arm of a factory robot, the arm will augment and follow the force from the push. This leaves people in control of the action, and provides a predictable pattern that the machine follows. Granted, I'm enthralled with the possibility of the robotic exo-skeleton, but I recognize the more practical uses of cobot technology.
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