'Presentation at SIDeR'15 Conference Embodied Interaction in Kolding, Denmark'
Faster machines can no longer improve the overall production as long as operators cannot keep up with that speed. We envisioned a semi-automated world in which the best qualities of human operators and automated machinery is combined in order to create the greatest efficiency.
Exploring Levels of Automation
In order to gain a better understanding of what automation is, our team used the bodystorming technique in order to experiment and reflect. The bodystorming our team conducted was about measuring and reflecting upon the level of (semi-)automation that is required to feel comfortable with completing a task. The bodystorming setup consisted of a sheet of paper with dots drawn on it and a marker attached to several wires.
The dots represented the trees. The operator of the pen was asked to mark the trees with the marker. While the operator was executing the task, we adjusted the level of automation by strengthening/loosening the wires.
Inviting or Forcing
After bodystorming, we raised the question how semi-automation can invite the operator to initiate an action, rather than forcing the operator. As inviting and forcing are closely related, we designed a gearbox that would differentiate between forcing and inviting.
Exploring New Ways of Interaction
The process that eventually led the team to the solution of semi-automation was an iterative process. Through building interactive prototypes we came up with new interactions. By bodystorming and acting we reflected on these experiences. This resulted in a thorough understanding of which benefits technology can offer in the future.
Semi-automation reduces the operators’ cognitive workload.
The best qualities of operators are their decision making and planning skills. Semi-automatisation shifts the operator's focus from quantity thinking to quality thinking
"Before making self-sustaining smart forestry machines, we must design semi-autonomous systems where humans and technology work together."
- Daniel Ortiz Morales, PhD Umea University
User-centered focus
What better way to start a forestry project by going to the forest? On a very early morning we jumped in the car and were brought about 100 km north of Umea. We got the opportunity to talk to machine operators and we even got behind the steering wheels ourselves. This visit was very valuable for developing a first understanding of the context.
The information collected during the context research was processed in various forms, such as a task analysis. The aim was to find out the operators’ mental model and how operation is being conducted in today. This enabled us to see potential areas for improvement.
Additional contextual research was done during a visit to the school of forestry. We conducted a co-creation session with the future operators. We showed them cards where the main aspects of the operation such as the UI elements, various feedbacks were written on it and asked them to put in their importance order. This gave us insights in what difficulties the students face while learning.
