Introduction
Most applications of consumer IoT systems either operate on the explicit command of the user or are fully automated. Commanding an IoT system requires a user to spend a substantial amount of attentional demand on the system. On the other side, fully automated systems can have a high level of complexity, lack sufficient reliability, do not fit current and changing lifestyles of users and might create the sensation of loss of control. Interactive Intentional Programming (IIP) recognizes these problems and proposes a framework to capture the intents and preferences of the end-user to make suitable actuations.
Introduction
Most applications of consumer IoT systems either operate on the explicit command of the user or are fully automated. Commanding an IoT system requires a user to spend a substantial amount of attentional demand on the system. On the other side, fully automated systems can have a high level of complexity, lack sufficient reliability, do not fit current and changing lifestyles of users and might create the sensation of loss of control. Interactive Intentional Programming (IIP) recognizes these problems and proposes a framework to capture the intents and preferences of the end-user to make suitable actuations.
Research Question
What level of attentional demand is preferred by users when interacting with an intervention user interface in the Internet of Things smart office? This research applies the Intervention User Interface principle on an IoT system that uses the basic concepts of IIP. The system controls a research office environment that strives to have a high level of automation and autonomy while still giving the user the sense of control.
Design Principles For Peripheral Intervention Interfaces
Essential Information Only
Only inform users about essential automated decisions
Non-intrusive Feedback
Use the IoT environment to inform users about system state in non-intrusive ways
Information Access
Allow users to access additional information when necessary
Direct Feedback
Provide direct explicit feedback for user-initiated interactions
Low Interaction Barrier
Don't invite interaction, but keep the barrier to interact low
Equal Control
Give users the same level of control as the system
Key Findings
The research demonstrated that users prefer highly informative interfaces, as this helps them feel reassured and comfortable delegating control to the system. Interestingly, different levels of information or attentional demand did not significantly affect the users' sense of control. The study resulted in a comprehensive set of design principles for implementing Intervention User Interfaces.