iKitchen (2017)
Designing a Smart Home Experience
An assignment from 3rd year Interaction Design Core course.
OVERVIEW
iKitchen is a smart kitchen that improves the user’s experience with certain tasks, but still lets the user take control and enjoy the process of cooking. Its main features include keeping the user entertained and assisting with grocery, cleaning, and organization.
Feature highlights:
Feature highlights:
- keep track of kitchen storage
- hands-free control
- safety monitor
RESEARCH
I researched 3 existing smart home systems and analyzed their interfaces and user experiences.
Neurio Home
From the comments on Google App Store, many people are disappointed that this app has very limited features, especially the appliance monitoring feature as advertised is not available on the free version.
Both the web and app interfaces do not have registration option on their start screens. There is only the sign-in or forgot password option - leaving the new users all confused.
Both the web and app interfaces do not have registration option on their start screens. There is only the sign-in or forgot password option - leaving the new users all confused.
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The Home Energy Monitor seems simple enough for user to install themselves. However, the Home Energy Controller that is coming out soon seems a bit redundant as then the user will need at least 3 devices to control the system - monitor, controller, phone/tablet. It would be better if the controller and the monitor can be together as one device, so the user does not need to connect all three devices with each other.
BC Hydro Power Smart
The only interface I found is a website. The general design style fits the subject, but the amount of information is overwhelming. It has hundreds of submenu options. It can be very difficult for a user to find what he/she needs.
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Savant Pro 8
The cell phone/tablet app is rather complete compared to the Neurio Home. It also has a more modern overall look. However, in order for things to work, the user has to purchase many Savant products including sound systems, shades, thermostat, etc. It would be better if Savant has better compatibility with products that the user may already have.
A similar problem as the Neruio Home is that Savant needs a box, a host and a remote to control things. It would be nicer if only a host is needed, and the user can control things on their electronic devices as they probably already have them.
A similar problem as the Neruio Home is that Savant needs a box, a host and a remote to control things. It would be nicer if only a host is needed, and the user can control things on their electronic devices as they probably already have them.
BRAINSTORM |
During my initial stage, I used mind maps, SWOT, empathy maps, and bull's eye to brainstorm and evaluate ideas. In the end, I decided to focus on the kitchen area, and the user group as anyone who cooks or eat at home.
USER
Interview Insights
- frustrating to find out a cooking ingredient has run out when needed
- often forget about less frequently used ingredients
- hope to share tasks with other family members
Persona
USER INTERACTION
Users include anyone who cooks at home, ranging from teenagers to mid-age to elderly. Users may cook in any method, including baking, frying, steaming, etc. iKitchen can be controlled using screen installed in the kitchen, or by application on electronic devices. The user may interact with it by touch- screen or by voice control.
The user’s goal for using iKitchen is to do less tedious labour and focus more on the fun part of cooking. iKitchen can also be a life saver as it alerts the user before salt, or other essential materials run out.
The user’s goal for using iKitchen is to do less tedious labour and focus more on the fun part of cooking. iKitchen can also be a life saver as it alerts the user before salt, or other essential materials run out.
KEY FEATURES
food supply management
voice control
safety
- receipt scanner
- ingredient alert
- expiry
- run out
- add to shopping list
- share with family
voice control
- recommend / save a recipe
- hands-free instructions
- preheat oven
- entertainment
safety
- auto range hood
- gas stove
USER TASKS
How iKitchen can Help
1. to clean greasy surface caused by frying, or other oily cooking method - iKitchen assists the user on applying hydrophilic coating to prevent greasy surface; it also works together with iRobot to clean the oor when needed.
2. to buy essential cooking supplies (often used materials such as seasoning, spices, garlic, etc) on time - iKitchen has a sensor on each spice container. It can alert the user through the screen before the spice runs out, or automatically add to the grocery list on user’s mobile device. User can place frequently used food supplies such as garlic, or onions in a certain area in the fridge for iKitchen to detect their usage as well. iKitchen can also suggest where to buy an ingredient, and when the store is open.
3. to use cooking supplies before they expire, or throw them away once expired - iKitchen keeps an eye on the less frequently used items, and reminds the user when the expiry date approaches. Once expired, iKitchen alerts the user to throw the item away. The user may also scan their grocery receipt when they buy new items. The refrigerator will find out the suggested expiry time, and if the items are not used by then, set a reminder before and on the expiry day.
4. to get entertained while cooking - iKitchen screen allows streaming, providing the user entertainment such as hockey games, cooking tutorials, music playlist from Spotify, etc.
5. to tidy up the kitchen after meal - iKitchen can detect if the salt is not back into place, or if a glass is left out from the dishwasher. It helps the user to keep organized and not miss any item sitting on the corner of the table.
6. to follow a recipe on a new dish - iKitchen can pull out the recipe on the screen or read it out loud to make it convenient for the user.
7. to have a safe cooking experience - iKitchen detects if any hazard occurs (especially for user who has gas stove), and shuts it down or directs 911 on time.
8. to turn on a range hood - iKitchen detects smells, steam, smoke, etc and automatically turns on or off the range hood. If the kitchen has windows, iKitchen may also opens the windows if needed.
9. to recycle and throw away garbage before it stinks - iKitchen senses the level of garbage and reminds the user to throw it away. iKitchen may also help identify items to be recycled.
10. to take lunch box and coffee - iKitchen can detect where the lunch or coffee is placed, and at around a certain time remind the user not to forget them.
11. to preheat an oven or set a timer - voice control using iKitchen
12. to prepare food supplies easier - iKitchen can detect what/how much food supplies have left, what is needed to cook a specific recipe, add them to the shopping list, and tell the user the nearest store to purchase them, and the store’s open hours.
2. to buy essential cooking supplies (often used materials such as seasoning, spices, garlic, etc) on time - iKitchen has a sensor on each spice container. It can alert the user through the screen before the spice runs out, or automatically add to the grocery list on user’s mobile device. User can place frequently used food supplies such as garlic, or onions in a certain area in the fridge for iKitchen to detect their usage as well. iKitchen can also suggest where to buy an ingredient, and when the store is open.
3. to use cooking supplies before they expire, or throw them away once expired - iKitchen keeps an eye on the less frequently used items, and reminds the user when the expiry date approaches. Once expired, iKitchen alerts the user to throw the item away. The user may also scan their grocery receipt when they buy new items. The refrigerator will find out the suggested expiry time, and if the items are not used by then, set a reminder before and on the expiry day.
4. to get entertained while cooking - iKitchen screen allows streaming, providing the user entertainment such as hockey games, cooking tutorials, music playlist from Spotify, etc.
5. to tidy up the kitchen after meal - iKitchen can detect if the salt is not back into place, or if a glass is left out from the dishwasher. It helps the user to keep organized and not miss any item sitting on the corner of the table.
6. to follow a recipe on a new dish - iKitchen can pull out the recipe on the screen or read it out loud to make it convenient for the user.
7. to have a safe cooking experience - iKitchen detects if any hazard occurs (especially for user who has gas stove), and shuts it down or directs 911 on time.
8. to turn on a range hood - iKitchen detects smells, steam, smoke, etc and automatically turns on or off the range hood. If the kitchen has windows, iKitchen may also opens the windows if needed.
9. to recycle and throw away garbage before it stinks - iKitchen senses the level of garbage and reminds the user to throw it away. iKitchen may also help identify items to be recycled.
10. to take lunch box and coffee - iKitchen can detect where the lunch or coffee is placed, and at around a certain time remind the user not to forget them.
11. to preheat an oven or set a timer - voice control using iKitchen
12. to prepare food supplies easier - iKitchen can detect what/how much food supplies have left, what is needed to cook a specific recipe, add them to the shopping list, and tell the user the nearest store to purchase them, and the store’s open hours.
USER STORIES
1. "As a busy person, I want to be reminded what food supplies I am missing so that I can cook right away when I get home after work."
2. "As a person who loves to try new recipes, I want to have hand-free recipes or tutorials so that I don't have to wash my hands to flip through the recipes/touch the screen."
2. "As a person who loves to try new recipes, I want to have hand-free recipes or tutorials so that I don't have to wash my hands to flip through the recipes/touch the screen."
SCENARIO
On her day off, Amy is washing dishes from brunch. Using voice control, she selects a new baking recipe recommended by iKitchen. iKitchen tells her what material she is missing, the nearest stores to purchase them, and the store open hours. Amy asks iKitchen to add them into her online shopping list and to remind her at 2pm to go out and buy them. After she comes back, she scans her shopping receipt on her phone. It documents the apples and yogurt that she puts in the refrigerator and their suggested expiry time. It also sends information on expiry time of the table salt that she just bought to the container labelled as “table salt”. iKitchen tells Amy where this container is. She puts the table salt into the container. The container weighs how much table salt it now has, and documents it in the background with iKitchen’s database. iKitchen reminds Amy to start preparing for baking at 3:30pm so it can be ready at 6:00pm.
WORK FLOW
Flow chart is a great tool to show the steps that the user can go through. It visualizes the process, outlines the options, and shows the user interaction with the design.
PROTOTYPING
Products
The user can choose to download an app on electronic devices, including cell phones, tablets, etc. Or, the user can purchase and install a screen in the kitchen.
Other products include spice container that can weigh what’s inside and store the information on cloud. Speaker in the kitchen or speaker from electronic devices can help with the voice control. The refrigerator detects an item by its shape, size and color. Along with the receipt scanning feature, the refrigerator can alert the user when an item is not yet used but is about to expire. The range hood can turn itself on and off as it detects the smoke, smell, gas in the air.
Other products include spice container that can weigh what’s inside and store the information on cloud. Speaker in the kitchen or speaker from electronic devices can help with the voice control. The refrigerator detects an item by its shape, size and color. Along with the receipt scanning feature, the refrigerator can alert the user when an item is not yet used but is about to expire. The range hood can turn itself on and off as it detects the smoke, smell, gas in the air.