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Exploring acceptance and usability of wearable trackin solutions
Project Dates:
January 13th to the 1st of February 2022 (3 Weeks)
Client:
WanderSearch/Victoria University
Project Aim:
How might we facilitate cognitively impaired users' acceptance of ETDs?
Tools:
Figma, Miro
WanderSearch is a non-profit that makes wearable electronic tracking devices (ETDs) for anyone who is at risk of going missing and where other technologies are not suitable.
The device is typically used by children with autism and people with dementia who are at risk of wandering off.
WanderSearch volunteers across Aotearoa operate independently to distribute the devices to users and caregivers in their region.
The device is low cost and uses radio frequency technology, this means there are no moving parts and no input required until the 6 month battery replacement (unless it has been damaged or lost).
Some people remove, hide, or destroy their ETD—which makes it harder to find them if they get lost.
WanderSearch asked us to research ways to promote user acceptance of their ETDs, forming our research question:
Aim: How might we facilitate cognitively impaired users' acceptance of ETDs?
To find out what was really going on we needed to look at the WanderSearch service as a whole.
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We didn't want to assume that the device was the only potential issue and wanted to ensure we were solving the right problem first.
We spoke to 11 people across four participant groups to learn more about how their experiences might inform or affect user acceptance of the WanderSearch device.
Due to limits with our ethical commitment with the University, we weren't able to speak to anyone who wore the device.
We found that WanderSearch staff, NGO volunteers and caregivers across regions have independently developed successful practices for introducing, wearing, and adapting the device to suit users.
“All old ladies have a nice navy handbag because it matches their every outfit. They won't leave home without it, so it's sewn in the handbag”.
- Volunteer
“I think a lot of it is how you approach the conversation and how you would phrase things. I think language is really importan.
- Ethics Researcher
"The battery checker actually picks [the device] up, so I can use it as an “at-home searcher” as well. He let me borrow that—no charge—simply because I do live quite rural. That way if we do have any problems with the pendant not working, I can check on it whenever I need to."
- Caregiver
“As soon as he saw it was Minecraft colours and he thought it was made just for him—that was it. We didn't even have to do any convincing; he was quite happy to put it on".
- Caregiver
"She can get quite claustrophobic about things, so if she’s swimming or in bed she doesn't need restrictive things on her. [...]That's something I could actually relate to—taking it off and giving her freedom at home if she needs it."
- Caregiver
Whether it’s how it’s worn, introduced or the aesthetics of the device, there is no one solution that will improve user acceptance.
Adapting the device to an individuals lifestyle as much as possible and supporting best practice among carers and volunteers appeared to be more valuable than a "shiny new device".
Based on best practice we observed through interviews, we created 4 design principals to guide our work:
Giving users the tools, support, and information they need to participate in decision-making
Understanding each user's circumstances, then tailoring the device to their habits and strengths
Integrating the device into daily life in a seamless, welcomed, and unique way
Promoting users' ownership over the device through customisation
WanderSearch Volunteers could be policy adverse, have no formal training and be time poor with low resources. We had to be mindful of this when designing solutions.
We mapped the entire process and any possible areas that could improve the process.
We identified 4 possible solutions to help facilitate cognitively impaired users' acceptance of ETDs:
Lists users’ common concerns and how to address them.
Doubles as training material for volunteers.
Feedback: Not applicable for every user, but still useful.
Empowering users through collaboration.
Contextualising the device within the user’s life.
Lists objects the device can be attached to (and how).
Doubles as training material for volunteers.
Feedback: Positive; would need to consider use cases and antenna interference.
Contextualising the device within the user’s life.
Encouraging experimentation with attachments.
Covers the cord of the WanderSearch pendant ETD.
Cheap to produce; can come in many colours.
Feedback: Positive; unaware it was even in use; interested in how it could be used for other ETD models.
Encouraging experimentation with attachments.
Anticipating and inviting personalisation.
Heavy-duty coloured stickers that cover the ETD.
Easy to stock and carry; cheap to produce.
Feedback: Very positive; appreciated low maintenance and cost.
Anticipating and inviting personalisation.
Empowering users through collaboration.
This project will be continued by another student for their Master’s programe. Their work will include interviewing users directly as well as iterating and testing our proposed solutions.
We shared all of our data and contacts with them to support their study. Our work will also be shared with WanderSearch, who may develop our proposed solutions in the interim.
WanderSearch Website
Safer Walking Framework
Research Overview PDF
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