Popup Observation Kit for Remote Usability Testing

Abstract

The need for remote usability testing has increased during the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic. However, lockdown and physical distancing regulations have affected how HCI researchers conduct in-person tests of systems and technologies under design. We present a Pop-Up Observation Kit, which serves as an affordable mobile usability lab. The kit is sent to participants of a study alongside the system they are testing. The Pop-Up Observation Kit provides a simple, unobtrusive form factor that enables the study participant to concentrate on the task itself and not on documenting the task they are performing. While initially developed to observe hand and finger gestures on a pressure sensor mat for the Rich Interactive Materials for everyday objects project, the Pop-up Observation Kit also applies to other use cases. Additionally, the kit is extensible with additional functionalities combined with the sensor mat to enable better data collection or unmoderated remote observations.