Step 1: Pick a home appliance with significant user controls (e.g. Microwave, St

Question

Step 1: Pick a home appliance with significant user controls (e.g. Microwave, Stove/Range, Refrigerator, etc.). Do NOT select things like a TV remote control, computers, etc. Also do not select equipment that lack significant User Interfaces (like Toasters or Electric Can Openers).

Step 2: Examine equipment from the perspectives of form (ergonomics & looks) and function

Write a 1-page evaluation document. Limit yourself to 1 well-written page for your evaluation (points will be deducted for overly-verbose evaluations). Comment on:

Strengths and weaknesses of the hardware form & ergonomics

How easy is it to interact with? Comfortable? Awkward? Difficult to press buttons?

Strengths and weaknesses of the functions from a user perspective.

In the general case, is it easy to use or confusing? (For example, if I need to heat a cup of tea in a microwave, is it straightforward?)

In more complex uses, is it easy or confusing? (For example, if I need to heat a dinner plate in a microwave at 60% power for 4 minutes, and then 80% power for 2 minutes, is that easy?)

One item on the hardware that you would change to make the product better, and why you think your change would be an improvement.

One item in the functionality you would change/modify to make the product better (this can be some of the embedded software to improve or add functionality). Why do you think this would be an improvement?

Explanation / Answer

Ergonomics review of product.

We will study washing machine from ergonomic, looks and function perspective.

In today’s day to day life washing machine is one of the common machines. There are numerous brands, types of washing machine depending on size, capacity design are available in market.

In case of washing machine like all appliances, appearance of equipment should be pleasing to customer. Well polished surface helps in improvement of appearance. The second most important factor while using washing machine is its sound. The operation should be silent enough so that it would not disturb day to day work.

As far as functions and displays are concerned, they should be bold and clearly visible. Preferably LCD/LED screen is recommended.

From user’s point of view washing machine should be easy to use. The different options should be listed clearly on screen and should not be confusing. If possible use of local language is added advantage as this directly increases usability of machine. The options like hot water/cold water wash, wash for some special cloths are the kind of things that should not get confused. In today’s smart phone era, if the washing machine is operable by phone remotely, then it can serve one of the best available options in market.

The buttons on washing machine should be feather touch buttons which are sensitive and easy to operate. This adds in attractive looks of machine.

In a nut shell, for a washing machine external surface finish, colour combination, its capacity, design for cloths entry (front-loder/top-loder), its operability with different buttons and operating systems is very important in ergonomic section.

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