Case Study II Next Gen Wearable Voice Directed Technology
Warehouse and Logistics Technology Industry
Background
This particular case study is a ‘definition’ phase and not a design or exploration phase of a much larger project.
I had already conducted the global investigative and design phases for a voice-centric wearable device, speaking with Vocollect partners, resellers, and industry though leaders about emerging trends, technologies, and opportunities.
During the prior research and design phases, I had examined work and tasks internal and external to distribution centers to identify new opportunities. The vertical markets included third party logistics, manufacturing, transportation, and ecommerce.
I developed personas of workers found in each of the above verticals which were used in the testing of the final defined product.
Multi-modal solutions were also investigated for suitability in existing and identified growth markets to produce a strategic roadmap for software and hardware solutions to keep the pipeline fed.
Guiding principles of the project were to consider unique Vocollect value proposition, enhance floor worker usability, and be sure to consider ease of maintenance and field reconfiguration of devices where appropriate.
Core technology components for the devices would include a terminal, scanner, and display.
Methods
For the prior research and design phases, I selected external resources to aid in gathering data to inform the definition phase. I crafted clearly laid out timelines, milestones, and specific touchpoints that would feed results back to our in house software and hardware product development teams. Not only did this keep the teams included on a daily basis as to the feedback that was being gathered, it also allowed for quick course correction or addition questions to be incorporated into the user and partner evaluations.
As these evaluations had to be conducted in the environment the devices were intended to be used, I ensured that there was a clear framing of the goals and intended outcomes with all stakeholders.
I created archetypal designs that considered the engineering, manufacturability, and usability standpoints. Each of the prototypes were given a basic aesthetic treatment, knowing that they were not intended to represent the final look and feel.
The first was a ‘centralized concept’ where a single battery powered everything with all elements remaining individual from each other and wired to the terminal. The second was an ‘all-in-one’ design that had all of the components integrated into the terminal. The third concept was a wireless concept, with all elements being wireless, modular, and independently powered.
Success Criteria
Develop three distinct configurations for a next generation wearable voice directed device
Directions should illustrate a wide variety of system configurations and options for how users can wear them
Conduct usability testing and user acceptance of each concept
Concepts, when prototyped, should carry the same weight and feel as the final selected product
Many Voices Heard
Prior to this definition phase, extensive ethnographic investigation took place in multiple user warehouse environments, observing, documenting, and iterating potential solutions
In this phase, I relied on unmoderated testing of weighted prototype configurations being placed on end users in their warehouse environments while interacting with their usual forktrucks and forklifts
The post-testing feedback was gathered by breaking out the individual components of the devices and having the users prioritize them while having open discussions
Each group of participants had to discuss and agree with each other for the final placement of each component on the prioritization graph
I made sure my team did not interfere during this process, but instead really listen to the discussions the groups were having to get to the root of the prioritization needs
Key Highlights
End User Alignment, ProEngineer, Adobe Creative Suite, Usability Testing, External Resource Management, User Experience Design & Research, User Interface Design, Customer Experience, Unmoderated Testing, Workflow Mapping, Project Management