Sphero

An outline of my approach in evaluating Sphero the Robot ball. I wanted to discover general use case, identify strengths and weaknesses, and include concerns and improvements of different demographics.

My Paper

Objectives:

1. Discover underlying motivations for using Sphero.
   a. Do users understand how to select the single/ multi-player games?
   b. Do users understand how to play the single/ multi-player games?
   c. Are users satisfied with their interaction with Sphero’s games?
   d. Are users satisfied with their interaction with Sphero’s interface?

2.  To identify Sphero’s strengths and weaknesses (both robot and app)
   a. Identify areas of improvement
   b. Hierarchy of risk factors
   c. Provide actionable recommendations

3. To include concerns and improvement ideas of the older population on Sphero’s design.

Research Methodology and Approach

• Conducted 2 focus groups on a convenient sample consisting of 4 participants each at their personal living room.

• The participants are first asked background questions then asked to play with Sphero’s basic functions with the Sphero app.

  • Move around

  • Change colors

  • Play sounds

  • Exposed to different missions

• Then participants play a multiplayer game called ColorGrab, where it tests hand-eye coordination by testing the reflex of each participant when Sphero changes colors.

  • Performance score is recorded

• Finally, participants are asked exit questions on:

  • Uses for Sphero

    1. Problematic and easy tasks

    2. Concerns

    3. Desired features

    4. Recommendations to a friend

    5. Prediction on market and personal value.

• Actions on the application and verbal responses will be recorded using the phone and built in microphone used to control Sphero.

Conclusion and Design Recommendation

• Include and take into account the problems, concerns, and solutions of older groups to avoid omitting risk violations.

• Sphero actionable recommendations:

  • Aesthetic:

    • Change outer shell so it doesn’t get dirty easily

    • Sturdier material makeup

  • Function:

    • Explicit feedback when colors and task change

    • Add a tutorial in the beginning of the program for new users, but can be skipped

    • No inverted controls

    • Return sensor point detection