PAM Refinements
The previous rough prototype to test the potential interaction and dialogue between the user and the Portable Auto Minder app revealed that there was too much talking and not enough use of other means of communication that would be possible with all that the cognitive component could bring to the interaction. This revised rough prototype includes streamlined dialogue as well as augmented reality, image recognition, texting, and geolocation. As before, the interaction begins with a notice from PAM.
Joe, the user, chooses to talk and asks PAM what the problem is. PAM replies that she’s sent the specific information to him via a text, but that together they could troubleshoot a couple of possible solutions. PAM identifies the first place to check — whether or not the battery cables are loose. Joe is able and willing to test this without help. Joe found that the cables were not loose, so he asks PAM for information about the next steps. She offers a suggestion and shows him a photo of what she means. As he holds up his camera to the engine, the image recognition software kicks in and shows Joe where the fuse box is located under the hood of his car.
Joe acknowledges seeing and understanding then asks for more information. At this point, and augmented reality video begins running on his camera showing how to open the fuse box lid, to get the little tool, select a fuse by its number, pull the fuse and put it back in place.
Joe asks how he would know if the fuse is good or bad and PAM shows him an image for comparison and indicates that the fuse could be broken as in the image or burned looking.
Joe is ready to start, but asks PAM to rerun the AR video, showing the fuses he needs to check one at a time. The video pauses as it gets to each and waits for Joe to say, “Ok, next,” before proceeding to the next one. Together the AR and Joe check each of the three under-hood fuses. Joe says, “Ok, done,” and the video stops. He found that the fuses were ok, so he asks PAM if there are other to check. PAM says there are two inside the car to check and tells him where to point his camera to locate the next one.
PAM tells Joe, by number, which fuse to check. After pulling it, he finds that it looks different from the others. He points his camera at the fuse and asks PAM to confirm that it is blown.
PAM agrees and provides the cost of a replacement and the location and hours of a nearby auto parts store.
