The prototype was used in the ‘Daheim Dank Digital’ show flat at the Agaplesion Bethesda retirement home, whose setting made it possible to simulate realistic usage scenarios. This allowed the usability of the prototype app and hardware to be tested, the user experience to be analysed and the acceptance of the system to be evaluated. Jennifer Kircher, a research assistant at the DigiHealth Institute, accompanied the study, which was conducted together with residents of the assisted living facility and specialists from nursing and therapeutic teams.
Use cases and interviews: test run in a real-life setting
The study began with a presentation of the ‘stand-by.care’ project, including how the idea came about, how the system works, and its further development within the framework of participatory technology design. This was followed by use case tasks for the prototype, which were carried out in individual tests of approximately 45 minutes each using think-aloud methods and interviews. This made it possible to directly determine how helpful users found the technology in everyday life.
Positive feedback paves the way for further project steps
‘The event gave us valuable insights into how our system is used in a real living environment,’ says Jennifer Kircher. The direct, practical feedback from residents and professionals was particularly informative – and consistently positive: the system was rated as suitable for seniors, easy to use and helpful.
The results of all usability tests conducted to date will be evaluated in detail in the coming weeks and will then be incorporated into the further development of a marketable product.
The stand-by.care project is funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) through the German Agency for Transfer and Innovation (DATI) as part of the DATIpilot programme.
Contact
Jennifer Kircher
