research | product redesign
Role
Researcher & UX Designer
Team
Academic Project
Timeline
2 Weeks | Jan 2022
Smart thermostats are essential for home automation, controlling heating, cooling and energy efficiency. This project focuses on redesigning a thermostat’s interaction panel to improve usability and accessibility, while integrating advanced features based on user feedback.
Current thermostats face challenges such as limited customization and poor accessibility for differently-abled users. Issues like unreliable motion sensors and ineffective energy notifications further hinder user experience. This project aims to address these shortcomings by creating a more user-friendly and inclusive thermostat design.
We focused on creating a simple yet customizable interface that addressed user needs. The dockable/undockable dial with tactile feedback emerged as a solution for accessibility. We also integrated features like geofencing, voice control and energy feedback, balancing advanced functionality with user-friendly design.
The final model combines the best features of existing models, while solving the issue of accessibility. It’s interface is customizable. The main body consists of a touch screen with a dockable / undockable dial.
When removed, the dial wirelessly adjusts the temperature and acts as a remote for menu navigation. A Peltier unit in the dial provides tactile feedback by heating or cooling its surface, assisting blind or deaf users in adjusting the temperature.
