Cognitive Walkthrough

Tasks

1. Read the manual
2. Operate the bear

Do this for both prototypes; sending and receiving bears.

Prep: Record message, change device timings to match. Need to work out if it is better to send a song? Or even do a message AND a song. Try this all three ways in the focus group. Embed speaker wiring in receiving bear. Ensure that they are communicating with no blocking. Possibly may have to manipulate the antenna.

Internal build of the receiving bear (with a speaker). Used a seam ripper to open up the lining to make space for the electronics. This will be later sewn up. I made a small hole in the front to expose the xBee antenna if needed.

I am adding two tracks to the bear: the 'hi. just thinking about you' message which is 2 seconds and 'Use Somebody' by Kings of Leon which is 3:50, so 3:52 in total. I chose this track because it is quite sentimental, and fits with the concept of transmitting the memory that you are missing someone. Although the actual data being activated is old, it would have some significance to both users and by activating it, new memories are created of engagement with the artifact. I will increase the delay to ((60*3)+52)*1000=232,000. This is 3:52 converted into milliseconds as per the documentation on arduino delay coding here: http://arduino.cc/en/Reference/delay The Arduino delay is in milliseconds.

Notes on preparatory examination:

The MP3 player lost battery power so didn't work. I need to ensure that it is fully charged when presented at the viva and when submitted.

Also, the 9V arduino battery supply will only last for 5 hours maximum http://engineerzero.wordpress.com/2011/01/15/arduino-on-battery-power/ i noticed that one of my Duracell batteries had to already be replaced just through development. What i can do is introduce a power switch into the adaptor like a rocker switch http://www.maplin.co.uk/slim-line-rocker-switch-98091 To do this i will have to cut one of the wires, trim them , extend them and solder on the switch. This will turn the whole bear on and off.


The Cognitive Walkthrough A: THE TRANSMITTING TEDDY

Note: Instead of taking a voice recording I have taken notes, as the voice recording would have to be transcribed anyway.

1. The Manual

Fairly easy to understand. Need to point out how long to hold the hands together, and the fact it is the metal contacts which are important. A diagram would be really useful, or a set of photos of someone using it. It is really tiny and a bit tacky. A single folded instruction manual would be more professional. Looks like there is too little information on it. The font is quite hard to read and far too 'cutesy' for my taste actually.

2. The interaction

Some other kind of more gratifying feedback could come in useful i.e. a beeping sound or 'success' midi sound. This could replace the light completely. Might make it seem more interactive and less 'passive'. Although there is a feedback light, the transmitting user


The Cognitive Walkthrough B: THE RECEIVING TEDDY

1. The Manual

There was no manual so i was surprised when I heard the voice. It was a little scary and I would've immediately either thrown it away thinking it was faulty or spying on me or called the person who gave it to me. I need a manual to tell me what i need to do on my side.

2. The interaction

The voice clip does make it more personal, but to me it is a little cheesy. You know who is sending it to you, so do you need to hear the voice?? The song clip was more powerful in my opinion than the voice clip; it can hold a lot of memories. It was given to me as a gift, but i'd like to be able to let the other person know that i got their message and appreciate it. This could be something small like squeezing the bears hand to light up an LED on the receiving bear. When a message was sent a second time, the track started from the song only, and not the first track.


Overview of changes

1. Make it possible for the receiving user to provide feedback of some kind
2. Create a manual for the receiving teddy
3. Make the feedback for the sending message more gratifying i.e. a beep. Something which makes the teddy feel more 'interactive'.
4. Put the voice clip & MP3 in one clip (if both are used) as the MP3 naturally resets itself by playing the beginning of the most recent track, not the first song in the list.
5. Make the manual less 'cutesy', more informative and contain diagrams and troubleshooting information.
6. Incorporate on/off switch so that the batteries aren't too badly drained (this can be done a little later).