SUNRISE MEDICAL ELECTRIC WHEELCHAIR JOYSTICK MODULE REDESIGN
UX research, Usability testing & Product/UX redesign 2019
Stakeholder (company): Sunrise Medical
Product: R-Net CJSM-2 Joystick Module
Sunrise Medical’s joystick module (JSM) “R-Net JSM-2” is an electric wheelchair navigation system. The project aims to improve the usability and user experience of the joystick module, by enhancing intuition, increasing the physical and visual comfort, and enabling users to multi-task with ease while being in control of the system.
Group Project of 5: Chen Chou, Elyn Wu, Irene Kingma, Yingzhu Yao, Zoe Luck
Role: user research, product design, usability test setup and design, usability test, data analysis, data visualization, report editor
TARGET USER AND CONTEXT OF USE
The target users of this project include both experienced and inexperienced powered wheelchair users, with an average (or higher) cognitive level, and with at least one hand that possesses basic motor skills.
The context of use includes indoor and outdoor environments, meaning the product needs to enable users to navigate narrow spaces and elevators, as well as at night and on bumpy roads.
PROCESS
The project started with user research and analysis of the current joystick module. Based on the gathered insights, a design brief was formulated. The project went through a diverging stage and a converging stage, both supported by thorough usability testing with different kinds of users, leading to the final design of the joystick module.
PRODUCT ANALYSIS AND INTENDED DESIGN QUALITIES
Based on research results and analysis, the team identified several opportunities for improvement, leading to three major qualities for the redesign: intuition, comfort, and being in control.
Opportunities for improvement:
Communication:
Button labelling: Ambiguous labels lead to misuse or frustration for first-time users
Function-mapping: Functions (e.g. seat adjustment) which are not intuitively matched with their controls (e.g. the joystick) discourage the user from accessing them.
Many layers of functions: Some functions are hidden behind many layers of actions, relying on good memory.
Control:
The use of light controls: Light controls are not easily reachable while driving, increasing risks of danger.
Sense of control: Lack of feeling of control over the functions decreases the feeling of independence or safety.
Ergonomics:
Visibility: Small fonts are hard to identify, which can result in neck-straining.
Touch and reachability: Some buttons are small-sized and out of reach, resulting in hand- and arm-straining.
Intended design qualities:
Intuition:
The product should enable the user...
...to understand what all functions are meant for.
...to operate with little or no previous knowledge.
Being in control:
The product should afford the user:
...to drive while using other functions.
...to feel in control in stressful and social situations.
Comfort:
An ergonomic position for arm, wrist and hand.
Easy visual and physical access to all functions.
DESIGN AND USABILITY TESTING
The first design cycle started with brainstorming, from where different ideas were chosen and merged into three radically different concepts. In the first usability test, low-fidelity prototypes were used, and the participants needed to complete a series of tasks covering all the basic functions.
The second design was inspired by the analysis results of the first user tests. The second usability test involves more detailed tasks, different contexts of use, and a greater amount of data to be collected, leading to the final design.
USABILITY TEST PLAN AND SETUP
The first usability tests involved 6 participants, including 3 experienced wheelchair users and 3 inexperienced users; the second usability test involved 8 participants: 4 experienced and 4 inexperienced.
Before the usability tests, a data collection plan was first developed so as to design a user test plan. The user test plan involves a protocol for the moderator, a task list and a script, and data collection and note-taking sheets to be filled in by the moderator. Other equipment included the prototype(s) and a simulation video that guided the participant throughout different real-life scenarios.
DATA VISUALIZATION
The user tests follow the principles and guidelines of a usability test. The collected data include task completion, subjective ratings of comfort, and satisfaction. The severity of the issues are calculated to determine the priorities of design alterations. The data are visualized and qualitatively analyzed.
FINAL DESIGN
The final design possesses the intended design qualities: intuition, comfort, and being in control, which are presented in the following major features:
1. Ergonomic shape allowing comfortable hand posture and easy access to the product interface:
The size of the module and the concave cutting along its side allows a firm grip for different hand sizes.
The increased surface area of the joystick reduces hand strain as the palm can be rested.
2. Easy access to basic functions providing fuller control while driving:
The module allows the fingers to operate different functions, such as blinkers and speed adjustment, while maintaining full control while driving. Easy access to blinkers also improves safety.
3. Intuitive icons and button shapes allowing easy physical and mental access:
The speed paddle is repositioned for easier access, and its icons are designed to be universal.
The chair-shaped seat adjustment buttons enable the function to be intuitive and easily accessible, and possible to use while driving.
4. Screen that only shows necessary information reducing mental workload:
The screen is redesigned into a display bar, which only shows essential information according to use.
