User Experience Challenges Research Articles

Usability and User Experience Challenges of Cross Reality Laboratories Experienced by Creators

Usability and User Experience Challenges of Cross Reality Laboratories Experienced by Creators

Usability and User Experience Evaluation in Intelligent Environments: A Review and Reappraisal

Intelligent environments are rapidly gaining ground, propelled by a rich sensor infrastructure, the Internet of Things, sophisticated reasoning capabilities, and Artificial Intelligence. In this complex technological landscape, crafting usable intelligent environments and assessing the user experience (UX) demands a thorough understanding of the concepts involved and the parameters that need to be studied. This paper carries out a review of usability and UX evaluation methods and frameworks, elaborating on fundamental concepts and presenting in detail approaches and methods reported in the literature. It additionally examines evaluation approaches in adaptive and ubiquitous computing systems, which are closely associated with intelligent environments, and presents UX challenges and evaluation frameworks in intelligent environments. Finally, the findings are synthesized and consolidated to produce a comprehensive overview of the field and the challenges that lie ahead.

Enhancing user experience in large language models through human-centered design: Integrating theoretical insights with an experimental study to meet diverse software learning needs with a single document knowledge base

This paper begins with a theoretical exploration of the rise of large language models (LLMs) in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), their impact on user experience (HX) and related challenges. It then discusses the benefits of Human-Centered Design (HCD) principles and the possibility of their application within LLMs, subsequently deriving six specific HCD guidelines for LLMs. Following this, a preliminary experiment is presented as an example to demonstrate how HCD principles can be employed to enhance user experience within GPT by using a single document input to GPT’s Knowledge base as new knowledge resource to control the interactions between GPT and users, aiming to meet the diverse needs of hypothetical software learners as much as possible. The experimental results demonstrate the effect of different elements’ forms and organizational methods in the document, as well as GPT’s relevant configurations, on the interaction effectiveness between GPT and software learners. A series of trials are conducted to explore better methods to realize text and image displaying, and jump action. Two template documents are compared in the aspects of the performances of the four interaction modes. Through continuous optimization, an improved version of the document was obtained to serve as a template for future use and research.

RIPM Jazz Periodicals

RIPM Jazz Periodicals, a collaborative effort between the Institute of Jazz Studies (IJS) at Rutgers University and RIPM Partner and Participating Libraries, offers a unique collection of historical primary source jazz periodicals. With a focus on rare and hard-to-find content, the database has grown from 105 to 138 titles, spanning 350,000 citation records and 204,000 full-text pages. The product’s strength lies in exclusive content and the readability and quality of its scans. However, user experience challenges arise from the complexity of search functions. Despite minor drawbacks, continuous updates and plans for additional content highlight the product’s commitment to improvement. While there are no direct competitors, related products in the RIPM series cover different historical periods and geographic regions.

Digitize the eCommerce Bookkeeping – An Automation Bookkeeping Prototype Development

Abstract - This study explores the impact of digital transformation on e-commerce, specifically focusing on the automation of bookkeeping processes. Despite the widespread benefits of e-commerce growth, a significant management gap persists, particularly in smart transaction management for retailers. The absence of automated systems results in manual recording methods, posing risks of data corruption and unreliability. Current practices involve e-commerce retailers relying on conventional ledgers or manual bookkeeping systems. To address these challenges and leverage digital transformation, retailers are turning to smart ledgers and price prediction systems. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the study combines quantitative insights from a Facebook poll with qualitative data extracted from discussions. The poll reveals prevalent manual bookkeeping practices among 49 e-commerce retailers, emphasizing the need for automation. Comparative analysis of existing applications identifies gaps, particularly the absence of automatic pricing suggestions crucial for-profit generation based on e-commerce programs. The research culminates in the development of a mobile application prototype, Manledger, utilizing the Rapid Application Development (RAD) methodology. Manledger aims to streamline e-commerce bookkeeping by automating sales and inventory tracking, profit calculations, and pricing strategies based on seller programs. Results demonstrate the prototype's effectiveness in enhancing efficiency and accuracy, supported by positive user feedback. Acknowledging the need for further exploration, the study suggests future research directions. These include long-term impact assessments of automated systems, comparative studies across diverse platforms, integration of advanced technologies like AI and blockchain, cybersecurity considerations, and investigations into user experience and adoption challenges. This comprehensive approach seeks to advance understanding and contribute to innovative solutions in the dynamic realm of e-commerce financial management.

Mixed-method usability investigation of ARROWS: augmented reality for roadway work zone safety

This article explores the usability and user experience challenges of ARROWS, a novel augmented reality (AR) and wearable technology (WT) safety system for roadway work zones, an area with limited existing usability research. We utilized a mixed-method approach with two complementary experiments in indoor and outdoor settings, using the Wizard of Oz methodology and a high-fidelity prototype. We focused on identifying usability challenges, factors contributing to user experience and the distinct needs of highway workers, documenting results using the system usability scale (SUS), the rating scale mental effort (RSME) and a trust score. Participants rated the usability of ARROWS above average in both settings, while making a reasonable level of mental effort. The findings also indicate a significant correlation between perceived trust and usability, highlighting the importance of trust in user experience.

A large database towards user-friendly SSVEP-based BCI

Background: Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) have gained considerable attention for their potential in assisting individuals who have motor impairments with communication and rehabilitation. Among BCIs, steady-state visual evoked potential (SSVEP)-based systems have demonstrated high efficiency in interactive applications. However, ergonomic design challenges have limited their practical implementation in industrial settings. Issues such as visual and mental fatigue caused by flickering stimuli and the time-consuming preparation process hinder user adoption of such systems. Methods: To evaluate these BCI solutions, we introduced an open database comprising Electroencephalogram (EEG) data collected from 59 healthy volunteers using ergonomically designed semi-dry electrodes and grid stimuli. The database was acquired without electromagnetic shielding, and the preparation time for each participant was <5 min. A 40-target SSVEP speller system with cues was used in the experiment. Results: We validate the database by temporal and spectral analyzing methods. To further investigate the database, filter bank canonical correlation analysis (FBCCA), ensemble task-related component analysis (e-TRCA) and multi-stimulus task-related component analysis (msTRCA) were used for classification. The database can be downloaded from the following link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1TXuxU863nZoniZRgNWZy0PRuL8lhBuP4?usp=sharing . Conclusions: This research contributes to enhancing the use of SSVEP-based BCIs in practical settings by addressing user experience and system design challenges. The proposed user-friendly visual stimuli and ergonomic electrode design improve comfort and usability. The open dataset serves as a valuable resource for future studies, enabling the development of robust and efficient SSVEP- BCI systems suitable for industrial applications.

Using socially assistive robots for monitoring and preventing frailty among older adults: a study on usability and user experience challenges

Socially assistive robots can play an important role in the monitoring and training of health of older adults. But before their benefits can be reaped, proper usability and a positive user experience need to be ensured. In this study, we tested the usability and user experience of a socially assistive robot (the NAO humanoid robot) to monitor and train the health of frail older adults. They were asked to complete a set of health monitoring and physical training tasks, once provided by the NAO robot, and once provided by a Tablet PC application (as a reference technology). After using each technology, they completed the System Usability Scale for usability, and a set of rating scales for perceived usefulness, enjoyment, and control. Finally, we questioned the participants’ preference for one of the technologies. All interactions were recorded on video and scrutinized for usability issues. Twenty older adults participated. They awarded both technologies ‘average’ usability scores. Perceived usefulness and enjoyment were rated as very positive for both modalities; control was scored positively. Main usability issues for NAO for these tasks were related to speech interaction (e.g., NAO’s limited speech library, NAO’s difficulty to cope with Dutch dialect), older adults’ difficulties with taking their proper role in human-robot interaction, and a lack of affordances of NAO. Seven participants preferred NAO: it was easier to use and more personal. Social robots have the potential to monitor and train the health of frail older adults, but some critical usability challenges need to be overcome first.

User Experience and Engagement in the Reality–Virtuality Continuum: A Special Issue Guest Editorial

User Experience and Engagement in the Reality–Virtuality Continuum: A Special Issue Guest Editorial

Quantifying “Magic”

In November 2010, Microsoft released the Kinect sensor as a new input device for the Xbox 360 gaming console, and more recently the “next generation” of Kinect was released in November 2013 as part of the Xbox One entertainment system. Kinect has the ability to detect multiple points of skeletal movement, differentiating among multiple simultaneous users. This ability enables users to control and interact with on-screen elements by moving their bodies in space (e.g., move characters, select menu items, manipulate virtual objects). Controllers or on-body sensors are not needed to use gesture inputs with Kinect, and Kinect can also detect speech inputs. The team at Microsoft Studios User Research (SUR) was an integral part of creating the first full-body gaming experiences for the Kinect system. During the development of Kinect, and in the more than 3 years since its initial launch, SUR has worked with game designers, programmers, and hardware developers on games and other applications that use Kinect. In this article the authors leverage data SUR has collected over the development cycles of many different games created for many different audiences to summarize the unique user experience challenges that the Kinect sensor brings to game development. The authors also propose principles for designing fun and accessible experiences for Kinect.

Ubiquitous Computing

Ubiquitous computing is a term used to describe an approach to product and service delivery in which the technology is concealed in the background, requiring little to no interaction with the user to complete the user’s and/or the technology’s objectives. This creates unique challenges for user experience design because the typical methods and tools are not applicable. Input to the system is limited to the technology’s ability to intuit the users’ objectives through their natural behavior. Output is executed on the environment as much as to the user. Several cases are presented to illustrate the common user experience challenges when designing partially or completely ubiquitous systems.

Editorial: Web and requirements engineering

In the last decade, the number and complexity of Web-based software systems and the amount of information they offer have been continuously growing. In the context of Software Engineering, design methods and methodologies were introduced to provide mechanisms to develop these complex Web applications and Rich Internet Applications (RIAs) in a systematic way. Most of these methodologies focus on implementation and neglect other tasks such as requirement analysis and quality management. However, in the development of traditional (non-Web) applications both practitioners and process experts regard requirements engineering as a phase of crucial relevance in the development process. It is well-known that the most common and time-consuming errors as well as the most expensive ones to repair, are errors that arise from inadequate engineering of requirements. Therefore, although the relevance of Requirements Engineering is well known these techniques should be studied more widely in the Web Engineering community. The problems in the Web development processes are mainly caused by the size and changing nature of the stakeholders involved, the diversity of requirements, including navigation and self-adaptivity requirements, as well as the usability and the user experience challenges.

Dealing with ghosts: Managing the user experience of autonomic computing

Although the goal of autonomic computing is to make systems that work continuously, robustly, and simply, no one imagines that people can be excluded entirely. Whether it is end-users getting their jobs done by interacting with autonomic systems or system administrators maintaining, monitoring, and debugging large-scale systems with autonomic components, humans will always be part of the computational process. As autonomic systems become part of the computing infrastructure, new demands will be placed on all users. How do users understand what autonomic systems are trying to do? How should systems portray themselves to users? How can we design the experience of autonomic computing to amplify user capabilities? This paper presents an analysis of the user experience (UE) challenges of autonomic computing and discusses design requirements for user interaction. Our main point is that autonomic computing makes effective design of the user experience even more challenging and critical than it is now. This is because autonomic actions taken by the system must be understandable by the user, and capable of review, revision, and alteration. Because such actions are often made autonomously, this places a heavy burden on the ability of the system to explain what it is doing and why.