Evaluating Assistive Technologies on a Trade Fair: Methodological Overview and Lessons Learned

TL;DR

This paper discusses a novel methodology for evaluating assistive technologies by conducting user studies at trade fairs, providing insights, lessons learned, and considerations for researchers in similar settings.

Contribution

It introduces a trade fair-based evaluation approach for assistive technologies, highlighting methodological insights and practical lessons for researchers.

Findings

Trade fairs can effectively recruit target users for assistive tech evaluation.

External incentives at trade fairs increase participant engagement.

The approach offers unique opportunities and limitations for user-centered research.

Abstract

User-centered evaluations are a core requirement in the development of new user related technologies. However, it is often difficult to recruit sufficient participants, especially if the target population is small, particularly busy, or in some way restricted in their mobility. We bypassed these problems by conducting studies on trade fairs that were specifically designed for our target population (potentially care-receiving individuals in wheelchairs) and therefore provided our users with external incentive to attend our study. This paper presents our gathered experiences, including methodological specifications and lessons learned, and is aimed to guide other researchers with conducting similar studies. In addition, we also discuss chances generated by this unconventional study environment as well as its limitations.