Tellybear

Remote control for young children

Overview

Problem definition Target group Existing work Design process Prototype User study Observations Findings Discussion Future work Conclusion

Problem definition

Design a television remote control for three and four-year-old children that will be understandable easy and fun to operate

Three and four-year-old children

Watch tv: approximately 2.5 hours each day Imaginative play: stuffed animals Mental mapping Exploring Independency Emotional comforting

Existing work

Microsoft Actimates– Plush and cuddly interactive toys– Antropomorphic interface– Affective design

Weemote– Remote control for children– Simplicity– Independency– Parental control

Design process

Brainstorming Gathering insight information:

– Toy Store– Kindergarten– Interview with expert

Prototype User study:

– Co-discovery + coaching method

Design considerations

Control– Channel surfing– Volume adjustment– Favorite channel selection– DVD player– Stand-by(function)

Parental preselection of channels

Prototype

Prototype design

Phidgets & Macromedia Director Wizard of Oz

On/off

Volumeup/down

ChannelPreset 1

ChannelPreset 2

DVDplay/pause

Zapup/down

Ch. 1 Ch. 1Ch. 2 Ch. 3 Ch. n Ch. 10

User study

Co-discovery + coaching method:– 2 children per session

with coaching of the groupleader

8 kids: 7 girls and 1 boy Observation and filming Questions e.g. "Do you

like this bear?"

Movie

Observations

Observed actions:– pressing buttons– squeezing– turning buttons– touching and hugging the bear

Facial expressions:– Smiling– Frowning

Findings

Difficulty with:– changing the channels with the arms– changing the volume

Positive aspects:– Buttons on the belly were easily understood– The children enjoy exploring and playing

with the bear– Much more fun than traditional remote

control– Independency

Discussion

Interview parents and observe natural television behaviour of children

Only girls? What about the boys?

Learning curve

Future work

Redesign the Tellybear– turning knobs or pressing buttons instead

of interaction with the ears and the arms of the Tellybear

More user studies– Sessions each day during a certain period

of time– Longer sessions?– Study difference in characteristics: age,

gender, interest

Conclusion

The kids liked the Tellybear more than the traditional remote control

Interaction style with the arms and the ears was not intuitive

The Tellybear was fun to use More extensive study is needed

Thank you for listening!

(No) questions?