Wizard of Oz Testing Protocol and Insights
Embodied Shopping
Purpose and Goal
To understand if the product is desirable
We used this method since the product was not functional and so we could simulate the features ourselves.
Protocol
Introduce our participant to the prototype
Hello, and welcome to Payless. We would like to introduce a new service that is designed with accessibility in mind to make shopping more independent for all shoppers. This service provides four new additions to our shopping experience: a shopping cart that uses a voice interface to tell shoppers what items they are placing in their cart, buttons at the end of each aisle that notifies users what kinds of items are in the aisle, braille that is located next to the price tag of each item type, and tactile pavements located at the end of each aisle that guides shoppers throughout the store.
Guide David through the experience
The addition that we are going to be focusing on today is the shopping cart. The cart has cameras built into the rim of the basket that are used to describe the item that you are placing in the cart. The cart handle has a speaker, increase or decrease volume options, and a speaker that allows you to communicate with a voice assistant or an in-store employee, if needed. Finally, on the front of the cart is an ultrasonic sensor that alerts you if there is an object located in front of the cart.
Now that we have introduced you to the new service, do you have any questions before we get started?
Imagine that you are walking through an aisle with the new shopping cart. You have just found the loaf of bread that you came to the grocery store for. Place the item in your cart to see how the system works. (After placing the item in the cart), “Wonder Bread, $2.29, there is a sale on Payless bread for $1.84.”
Questions
Were there any icons located on the shopping cart handle that were able or unable to identify?
Was there anything that was confusing out our idea, or did everything make sense to you?
If you could change something about our prototype, what would it be?
Would this solution encourage you to navigate through the store independently?
Results
After the Wizard of Oz testing method, we received some incredible insights. He seemed to really like the wayfinding solutions especially the tactile braille strips at the end of each aisle.
It came to our notice that our target audience would prefer a shopping basket with wheels over the regular shopping cart. While walking with a cane or a dog, it is easier to pull a basket rather than push one in front of them.
Our tester could easily identify the volume up and volume down button, however, there was some difficulty with the voice assistant button. Though, he mentioned that after it was told what the button was, it would be easy to recollect and use.
He pointed out that some visually impaired people are not familiar with braille and so suggested to have a “hand scanner” to help them differentiate between objects. However, we will not be addressing this problem since designing a scanner is an entirely different technology to work on and due to lack of time, we would like to fix the other prominent issues like the design of the cart.