This study of 'Human Behaviour' explores different channels of HCI and in identifying 'what actually makes an effective interface' exploration into different types of interfaces was required.

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Contents

Summary..................................................................................................................        1

Design Brief………………………………………………………………………..        3

Requirements...........................................................................................................        3

        Performance Requirements…………………………………………….......        3

Specification……………………………………………………………………….        4

Designing an effective Interface…………………………………………………..        4

Understanding Input Devices – THE KEYBOARD…………………………….        5

Understanding – THE DISPLAY………………………………………………..        5

        Layout………………………………………………………………………        6

        Graphical User Interface…………………………………………………..        6

Training……………………………………………………………………………        7

Prototype Review – STAGE 1……………………………………………………        7

        Summary of Results…………………………………………………………        8

Refinements………………………………………………………………..        8

Prototype Review STAGE 2……………………………………………………        9

        Observations……………………………………………………………….        9

        User Feedback……………………………………………………………...        9

        Summary of Results…………………………………………………………        9

Evaluation…………………………………………………………………………10

Literature Review………………………………………………………………...

Bibliography………………………………………………………………………

Appendices………………………………………………………………………..

        

Summary

The ‘Mars Explorer’ robot was a prototype user interface which aimed to extract the behaviour of human individuals. In creating a simple design and testing to assess its effectiveness, a prototype was modelled that allowed a control function to be executed. The entire experiment was based upon testing the human user, understanding its capabilities and limitations, and adapting the design to improve cognition. The robot scenario provided the simple interface that allowed the testing of human understanding, showing how humans interact with computers and process knowledge.

‘Human Computer Interaction’ (HCI) in its simplest form, concentrates on creating effective, usable and efficient interfaces for humans to work with and computers to respond to. It is this notion of ‘effective’ that I concentrated upon, aiming to design a competent system that allowed a user to successfully control an interactive object.

This study of ‘Human Behaviour’ explores different channels of HCI and in identifying ‘what actually makes an effective interface’ exploration into different types of interfaces was required. Using two types of interfaces, namely,

  • A command line interface, and
  • A text based GUI

I was able to analyse how a user or robot operator performed and how they actually perceived the interface. Using HCI principles and evaluating the results obtained, I was able to refine a preliminary interface in to one that provided more scope, better interactivity and a higher level of efficiency. In creating an interface that the user did not have to adapt to but rather the system adapting to the user was a principle that was practised by obtaining user feedback. Requesting user feedback and actually discovering there preferences allowed me to model an interface around there requirements. Humans need not entirely have to adjust for the computer system, but rather the design of an interface be modelled around the user. By embracing this idea, the aim was to create a two-way communicative system between users and their requirements and the designers of the system. Incidentally I discovered that not only did users receive a more complete and accurate interface module, but designers also had a more precise idea of how to implement a more resourceful system.

The two types of interfaces used, provided varied responses and gave an indication of user preferences. User requirements was an important consideration that had to be explored. If this could be done, then the design and implementation of the system was relatively simple.

Design Brief

The principal task is to create a prototype interface that performs a simple control function and then to conduct experiments that further improve the design. The entire project aims to realise how human characteristics and behaviour can affect design.

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The problem domain concerns modelling a preliminary interface, which allows an operator to control a ‘Mars Explorer’ robot. The robot concerned will be used to explore caves which have been found on Mars. It will be controlled from earth using a display screen and a conventional keyboard. Information about what is ahead will be presented on the screen for the operator. The ‘Mars Explorer’ can either be instructed to move up, down, left or right, with an emergency button preventing forward movement of the robot. The only instructions transmitted to the operator are thus the directions of where the ...

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