Sporto: A Robot for Self Awareness
INTERVIEW DATA
Insights from interviews
1. Varied needs according to motivational level
- Highly-motivated people
prefer exact number data
- Mildly-motivated
prefer a data already interpreted and presented in a way they can understand a general trend without too much details
2. No added stress
- Shouldn't be extra stress for people -- it's a sensitive subject, and everybody has a busy schedule -- many times, they know they're not doing a good job, and sometimes their schedules don't allow them to exercise
- Understanding mood of user might is important -- when they have a very busy schedule, so couldn't find time to exercise, robot indicating that users haven't done enough exercise can be really annoying.
3. Desired form
- No need to carry for a mildly motivated people
- Mildly motivated people do not want to share their robots with others b/c it's personal data and they are worried if other people will nag them
- People would like to place this robot in personal places at home, where they pass frequently -- a bed table or a desk, or places related to people's health or appearance -- next to a fridge or a mirror
- Friendly -- like a pet -- interaction is preferred
4. Useful data for them
- Weekly based data is useful b/c their schedules is irregular daily basis
- Using the national recommendation standard as a goal is preferred than using their personal goals.
5. Control over robot
Giving user enough control over the robot is important -- For example, a function to turn off the robot, personalize/educate a robot
Design Strategy
- Personalized
- Friendly
- Affective
- Cheering
1. Participant 01 // age 30, female, grad student
Why do you exercise?
Exercise to keep an energy level and maintain weights
How often and where do you exercise?
Go to the gym 3 times a week and take a cycle class
( There is a cycle. for several months, she doesn't exercise. Nowadays, she exercises)
What device do you use?
No device. She had a pedometer, but she didn't find the device useful because the info it gives wasn't useful and motivating.
What do you do motivate you to exercise?
Taking a class is good because there is a coach who teaches you. And it's a regular restrictions you need to keep up.
What would help you to be motivated?
Life coach, or health coach.
Our robot?
It might be interesting in the beginning, but it will lose its effect soon. It's like a new year's resolution. If it is really personalized and has human aspects -- like friends, it might motivate me constantly.
ETC
do not want to share this device with others
2. Participant 02 // age 29, female, grad student
Why do you exercise?
Weight, and energy
How often and where do you exercise?
don't do special activities, but try to increase physical activity in her daily routine.
For example, walk instead of taking a bus, take stairs instead of elevators when going down.
What device do you use?
No device.
What do you do motivate you to exercise?
No intentional actions. But she's reminded of exercising at the opportunistic moments -- seeing photos of models, taking showers, looking at the mirror,
What would help you to be motivated?
Data representation easy to understand -- use of colors, or charts
Our robot?
She loves to have a pet-like interaction. If it's
prefers a round shape b/c it's a more easy to understand symbol.
need to indicate a original/standard state that users can refer always ( for her, not only a slim model, but also photos comparing "before" and "after", is motivating.)
But do not want to be stressed by using this device -- user should have an equal control over this robot.
Wants to put in the place she passes often at home -- like next to a mirror or a fridge
Putting it next to a mirror might be very effective, b/c it's a special moment when she looks at herself and reflect/re-examine her.
Weekly based data is useful b/c their schedules is irregular daily basis
do not like email b/c it feel like she's controlled by the robot.
3. Participant 03 // age 25, female, grad student
Why do you exercise?
Weight, and energy
How often and where do you exercise?
go to a gym at least 1-2 times a week
stretch when she has a short break -- like watching the TV
What device do you use?
No device currently in use. But she tried a Sony armband, but she didn't use it for more than one day b/c she couldn't trust that device -- she couldn't know how it measured the calories that she burned. She thought that data by a thread mill is more accurate and reliable. And this device cannot measure how her muscle and joint is stiff and tight.
What do you do motivate you to exercise?
Nothing. She exercises whenever she feels a lack of energy/feable. But she tries to go to the gym at least one a week.
values the hours that she exercises that actual calories she burnt
exercise/run until she feels fatigued
What would help you to be motivated?
Praise or cheer from the robot
Our robot?
it shouldn't add more stress for her schedule (getting bigger might add stress)
pet-like actions might be more cute and not vexing -- active pet that jump and wander around when you have a healthy lifestyle
email once a week is welcomed
wants to put it on the bed table, or on the desk where she can see it often.
ETC
doesn't check her weight
say about the need to adjust mode -- firmly motivated mode to lose weight and keep
4. Participant 04 // age 29, female, grad student
Why do you exercise?
Weight (especially for abdomen obesity)
General health concern as getting older
Energy
Feeling good after exercising
How often and where do you exercise?
Playing squash, jogging in a track, muscle exercise in a gym
In total, try to exercise more than two times a week
What device do you use?
Used once a device for abdomen obesity, but not any device to measure how much you exercise
What do you do motivate you to exercise?
Check her weight everyday with her scale at her home
Motivated whenever she sees models/actress on the media
What would help you to be motivated?
//
Our robot?
This robot will tell me the exact effect of skipping exercises on my body. It will tell me either I’ve ignored it too much, or do not have to worry or be bother even though I skipped exercises. I would like to place it on my office desk so I can share with my friend. This can be a image of myself – strong self-control or determination – that I can display to others. And also, sharing my goal with other motivates more.
ETC
I would like to combine the two goals – my current practice level and national standard.
5. Participant 05 // age 24, male, grad student