Resident Smart Device
Mobile App 

User Research

Experiment Methodology

Broad Learning Goals: What are the core needs that residents look forward to when they come home? How could an app like Episense meet these deeper needs and set it apart from competitors in this industry?

Broad Hypothesis: We think users will want an app experience that allows them to customize their space and create an ambience depending on changing needs (work, entertaining guests, impressing friends, social value, movie night etc.) 

Experiment: I ran 4 separate surveys focused on 4 different areas to reduce the overall length of the surveys. Each survey had 20 participants and will be recruited in our target demographic and surveyed. 

Metrics: 70% of responses (14 out of 20 participants per survey) will confirm our hypothesis. Or we will yield insights that guide the direction of the UI based on user needs and being preventative about pain points.

Sense of Home Survey 1

Survey 1 Learning Goal: assess current and future behaviors around smart devices, and emotional or psychological opinions around them.

Survey 1 Hypothesis: these insights will provide direction about how Episense should position itself with the user base.

How do you currently adjust devices in your home to set a mood or create an ambience? Think speakers, displays, streaming devices, thermostats, lighting. Featuring a few verbatim quotes:

• “I typically don't do that. Occasionally I might light candles, and put on some music. But I don't generally don't think too much about technology.”
• “Google home. To set music and lighting.”
• “I dim lights or change the color Smart lights to match the time of day (more cool or blue during the day and more yellow or warm at night).” 
• “I manually adjust them [lights]. I do not have a ton of devices.”
• “I have no interest in creating an ambience or mood. If I need light, I turn the light on. If I want to listen to the radio, I turn on the small radio on my dresser. I do not own any speakers, and temperature is controlled by the landlord.”
• “Thermostat is used for function, but not really mood, unless the mood implies a certain activity. If I'm being physically active, I might adjust the temp down. Same for sleeping.” 
• “Different lights in a particular room light the room to different levels. An overhead light is for function, but there are corner lamps that can create a "romantic" ambience.”

Which is your favorite smart home device and why?

• “Google home as I have other Google services” 
• “Google Home just works with all my stuff. I have an Android phone also” 
• “We have a Google Home, and we like it because it integrates so well with all our google accounts.” 
• “I love all of our connected Nest/Google Home Hub and Phillips Hue lights. Between those two, we have a completely integrated smart home inside and outside the house. I love that I can always have peace of mind in knowing that my garage is closed, my doors are locked, that our dog is okay, that there is no smoke or carbon monoxide, and that I can turn on lights for visitors. I also love that I can check that my oven is actually off and control my TVs with my phone. Everything is connected and it has truly added a lot of value”
• “I have an Alexa in almost every room.”
• “Probably Alexa because it’s very practical and helpful with setting timers and looking up facts. Then maybe Arlo because it’s helpful with security monitoring especially for packages.” 
• “Alexa. It’s the only one I have with nothing to compare it to”
• “Alexa. I am used to it and it is the only one I have”

Identifying Pain Points Survey 2

Survey 2 Learning Goal: assess current frustrations and pain points with smart home devices.

Survey 2 Hypothesis: these insights will identify areas to be aware of that currently cause user frustration. Episense can try to proactively solve for those problems.

What is your opinion about smart home devices (like Alexa, Google Nest, Google Home)? What do you think or feel about these devices in a home environment?

In favor of smart home devices (9 out of 20)

• “I have no issues with smart home devices. I feel like they can be helpful in certain situations such as keeping track of time, adding things to the shopping list etc.” - 36 year old woman, owns 1 smart device.

• “I love them! I have Alexa, and google home mini. I use them for all types of things such as music, weather, traffic, and joking around. I really want to get a Nest thermostat next.” - 27 year old woman, owns 4 smart devices.

• “I like them they can be very helpful” - 45 y ear old man, owns 3 smart devices.

• “I like them.  I use Alexa a lot for turning on and off other smart devices.  My kids use it to entertain themselves with music and to get answers to questions I don't know.”  - 39 year old man, owns 6 smart devices.

• “I think they are great. With the push for technology in the home, they are essential.”  - 34 year old man, owns 3 smart devices.

• “I love them.  I have Alexa in my car & both of my girls rooms and my phone. they help make life run a little smoother!” - 37 year old woman, owns 3 smart devices.

Uncertain/ambivalent about smart home devices (6 out of 20)

• “I am on the fence about them. On one hand I see their obvious utility and how the can improve the UX of day-to-day home life. Things like accessing information, setting reminders, triggering actions, etc., all would save people time. On the other hand I am wary of their security issues and am not confident about how ethically the parent companies will use my data.” - 37 year old man, owns 0 smart devices.

• “They are helpful but I think can be used for so many bad things.” - 30 year old man, owns 2 smart devices.

• “I think they're neat, but I don't feel the need for them in my life.” - 41 year old woman, owns 0 smart devices.

• “I think they are cool but not a must for me to have” - 28 year old woman, owns 0 smart devices.

• “I think that smart home devices is a redundant technology. Our smart phones have been capable of voice commands and voice assistance for almost a decade now.”  - 39 year old man, owns 0 smart home devices.

• “I have google home pod but don't use it much. Not necessary” - 43 year old man, owns 1 smart device.

Wary or against smart home devices (5 out of 20)

• “I’m not a big fan.  They seem very invasive, and rarely do I feel like they really add much benefit.” - 31 years old man, owns 4 smart devices.

• “I do not use any devices or features that listen. I am very aware of privacy features”  -31 year old woman, owns 1 smart device.

• “While recognizing their value, I fear they are too invasive and dislike the idea of having something that can listen in on private conversations is a violation of privacy the company may or may not adhere to.”  - 26 year old man, owns 1 smart device.

• “I don’t like them. Too intrusive. Makes people lazier as well.” - 42 year old woman, owns 0 smart devices.

• “I do not have these items in my home, I feel like they probably collect too much information that I am not willing to give away.” -37 year old man, owns 0 smart devices.

Devices: Thermostat & Lighting Survey 3

Survey 3 Learning Goal: uncover users’ behaviors and usage of thermostats and lighting.
Survey 3 Hypothesis: these insights will identify areas to be aware of when designing the mobile app features for thermostat and lighting control.