The Influence of a User-Centred Design Focus on the Effectiveness of a User Interface for an Agricultural Machine

Aadesh Kumar Rakhra,Daniel Delmar Mann,Mitchell Kyle Green

doi:10.4236/as.2020.1111062

Abstract

As agricultural machines become more complex, it is increasingly critical that special attention be directed to the design of the user interface to ensure that the operator will have an adequate understanding of the status of the machine at all times. A user-centred design focus was employed to develop two conceptual designs (UCD1 & UCD2) for a user interface for an agricultural air seeder. The two concepts were compared against an existing user interface (baseline condition) using the metrics of situation awareness (Situation Awareness Global Assessment Technique), mental workload (Integrated Workload Scale), reaction time, and subjective feedback. There were no statistically significant differences among the three user interfaces based on the metric of situation awareness; however, UCD2 was deemed to be significantly better than either UCD1 or the baseline interface on the basis of mental workload, reaction time and subjective feedback. The research has demonstrated that a user-centred design focus will generate a better user interface for an agricultural machine.

Highlights

A user interface is a means by which the user interacts with the target system
The spread of variance was larger for higher automation in both interfaces UCD1 and UCD2 than in the original interface
Based on the analysis performed on the data obtained, UCD2 was found to be superior to both UCD1 and the original interface across the assessed parameters

Summary

Introduction

A user interface is a means by which the user interacts with the target system. It is an important facet that helps the user to monitor, control and alter the target task environment [1]. Designers and researchers recommend that the typical user interface. Using the paradigm of situation awareness, [5] proposed the goal-directed task analysis to determine the critical information needs of the user. Based on the situation awareness information needs of the operator, designers and engineers can design the user interface by focusing on the essential interface elements to accomplish operational goals of the operator.

Methods

Results

Conclusion