I am 33 now, and I still have trouble when I tie my shoelace! Sounds embarrassing, but it is just a skill that I couldn’t master, even though it is related to an item that I have beeing using daily for over 30 years now! I still buy shoes with laces, of course, but I take longer than average to tie them, and I am mostly conscious while wearing a shoe with a lace, while waiting for the tie to get loose.
If this is the case with a shoe, the seamlessly integratable, indispensable item that I have been using every single day, how would my brain react to more complex usability problems with items that aren’t as seamless or as integratable?
I have been reading a lot about the 3rd industrial revolution, and now there is a 4th one coming ahead I guess, but honestly..am concerned!
Different generations in different demographies, seem to have grasped the logic of using mobile phones with different flavours; buttons, touchscreen, tablets, you name it. Some still struggle with minor functionalities, but in general, in looks like the majority of population is able to make and receive calls, write text, and maybe even get access to there social media. While billions are using phone devices, many smart people fail to operate a coffee machine correctly from the first time (check your office!), some also have trouble with washing machines. Are they badly designed? Not entirely that, but the lack of speed between action and feedback in kitchen devices, compared to mobile phones, makes the learning curve steep, not to mention the difference in number of user-base, which can hinder the transfer of experience. Wait, if this is the case with mobile phones, coffee machines, and washing machines. . . how are we doing with the industrial revolution that will bring fab machines handy in homes?
The amount of learning associated with 3D printers, laser cutters, and milling machines, is still enormous, mainly for a user who has no interest and no knowledge in how these stuff operate.
In Makerfaire Cairo, we presented a model of a Risha, a portable laser cutter that works via Android, where users where drawing sketches, taking photos, then leaving in a few minutes with something that is cut or engraved. How many of those knew how originally a laser cut works? nearly none.However, in a few seconds, while watching how it works, they had questions about:
“Can I engrave on toast? “, “Can I cut cold cut meats into my kid’s sandwhich?”, “Can I make my own wallet if I have a pattern?” In 3 seconds, we we were already talking about use cases!
They don’t know how a normal laser operate, and they don’t have to understand or appreciate the difference, they just need to know that there is a machine that can do something, and that they can operate it. In a counter scenario, where I would be introducing a laser cutter, with a CAD drawing software, the first 3 seconds we would be discussing, how can we learn the software? Which is completely off point.
Investing hours in learning a software in order to operate a machine, instead of investing hours in making a software usable and comprehensible by different user basis, sounds like an incredible waste of time and energy . . . and revolution outcome.
No single interface can meet all user needs of every single use case, this is a stupid assumption, but building a layered software that takes in consideration ultimate newbies in its basic layer, is inevitable, if we are talking revolution.
The hype around 3D printers 7 years ago, was enormous. The reaction of general public to seeing an object coming to life from a machine was, and still, is incredible, but it is just as incredible as trying to make them learn how to model in order to actually be able to use the machine.
You don’t expect every person to understand about slicing? Right! So, despite of the 3D printing sunset theory, I still think Ultimaker is doing a good job while investing in a software that is by far newbie friendly than many other interfaces, that has endless options and sliders, that only make the clueless go more clueless.
There are a lot of people who are smart in many aspects of life? They have good brains, but unfortunately, they just never came across the concept of G-codes, so why do we expect them to naturally blend into the process of CAM? Too much.
If coffee machines are still struggling with their simple tangible interfaces, then we need to learn the lesson from mobile devices, with a fast action reaction system, that speeds up the learning curve and makes it easy to seamlessly integrate the new technology in daily lives.
We need to call and text each other, thats why we invest some energy in making sure we learn to use our phones, so without a clear win of why I need time to integrate your complex thing in my life routine, am sorry, I will turn my back, and I won’t even look back!
Unless it is utterly dumb, localised, and ridiculously affordable, then we can talk about innovation, or fun, but not a revolution..please!
