Abstract
Low-cost sensors are a current trend in citizen science projects that focus on air quality. Until now, devices incorporating such sensors have been tested primarily for their technical capabilities and limitations, whereas their usability and acceptability amongst the public rarely goes beyond proof of concept, leaving user experience (UX) unstudied. The authors argue that UX should be taken into account to make sure that products and services are fit for purpose. Nineteen volunteers tested and evaluated a prototype device and provided feedback through semi-structured interviews and during focus group sessions. Their UX was then coded using mixed coding methods regarding device functionality and recommendations for future product development. The results indicate that UX can identify potentially problematic design aspects while giving deeper insights into user needs. For example, UX recognized that one of the most important aspects of user involvement and motivation was successful data harvesting, which frequently failed. This study recommends that future developers of low-cost portable air quality sensor systems prioritize reliable data transmission to minimize data loss. This will ensure an efficient and positive UX that supports user engagement in citizen science based research where collecting sensor-based data is the primary objective.
Highlights
An increasing number of research projects requiring the use of portable low-cost air quality sensor systems [1] means there is a need for user experience (UX) feedback to sensor systems developers, and to those who deploy them
Our central argument is that developers of low-cost, portable air quality sensor systems and the scientists deploying them in participatory studies will benefit from considering end-user experience
Our aim was to describe the outcomes of UX study regarding a product which would have otherwise not been tested by potential end users and identify potential improvements
Summary
An increasing number of research projects requiring the use of portable low-cost air quality sensor systems [1] means there is a need for user experience (UX) feedback to sensor systems developers, and to those who deploy them. Our central argument is that developers of low-cost, portable air quality sensor systems and the scientists deploying them in participatory studies will benefit from considering end-user experience. The trend in miniaturizing and mobilizing air quality sensor devices has influenced rapid development in the field of low-cost portable air quality sensor systems. A large number of sensor developers and users have emerged, including commercial and research laboratories, reflecting the appeal of these devices for engaging various end users. Low-cost sensing devices utilizing IoT platforms designed for real–time indoor monitoring have been published [15,16,17,18,19]
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