UX technologies brought into laboratory setting to help University shape future design
A state-of-the-art laboratory that will strengthen the University’s position as a leading centre for User Experience (UX) research has opened its doors at Merchiston campus.
Developed by the Centre for Interaction Design within the University’s School of Computing, the Sensorium – located on floor C at the campus – aims to bring UX technologies into a laboratory setting.
The room is built with a suite of innovative equipment that allows researchers and designers to measure the reactions of people to various stimuli with the aim of helping shape future improvements to the overall user experience of systems and services. Integrated technologies available in Sensorium include eye tracking, facial expressions, electroencephalography, galvanic skin response, electrocardiogram, and electromyogram.
Physical, psychological and neurological reactions as well as user behaviour can all be recorded as people interact with technology in real-time.
Professor David Benyon, Director of the Centre for Interaction Design said: “User Experience (UX) is now absolutely central to people’s interactions with technology. The sensorium will help us to improve the user experience of many apps, websites and other products.”
The Sensorium UX Lab was officially opened by Principal of Edinburgh Napier, Professor Andrea Nolan, during a special event at Merchiston.
The event was a double celebration for the Centre as yesterday (9 November) is World Usability Day – a single day of events occurring around the world that brings together communities of professional, industrial and educational groups to ensure that services and products important to life are easier to access and simpler to use.
Running from 4pm to 7pm, the event included a host of demonstrations within the Glass Room alongside regular tours of the Sensorium lab where guests were able to see some of the technology in action. A range of speakers – including Heather Chisholm, Future Platforms Technology Manager at Konica Minolta Europe Laboratory – were also part of the night.