Design of remote control units for seniors

Abstract

HumRRO International, Inc. conducted a project to improve the human factors aspects of remote control unit (RCU) design. Although the research was oriented toward RCUs for future telerobots that older adults may use, the RCUs examined were currently available models. An observational study found that a sample of 18 persons aged 65–88 years made errors in performing a simple arithmetic task with four different handheld calculators and that 13 participants made errors operating 11 VCR remotes. Better human-machine designs in RCUs appear to be needed to reduce errors that might cause accidents in the future use of mobile telerobots and their manipulators. In addition, manufacturers of RCUs, gerontologists, and members of SeniorNet, a network of older adults interested in computers, were queried regarding the design of RCUs. The responses of these individuals and the participants in the observational study, together with human factors engineering analyses, suggested numerous design improvements that may be systematically examined.