Enhancing the Onboarding Experience with Wearable Technology for Research Applications

Abstract: Recent advancements in wearable technologies like the Apple Watch, Samsung Galaxy Watch, and Empatica EmbracePlus have revolutionized the real-time monitoring of physiological parameters. However, integrating such technologies into research settings hinges on the seamless onboarding of participants that are unfamiliar with these devices. Our project, conducted at a large R1 university, investigated how procedural steps and participant instructions in the onboarding and setup processes affect user interaction with these sophisticated technologies.Our methodology consisted of a multi-phase study starting with a front-end analysis that established fundamental user interactions with the devices and identified potential onboarding challenges. Subsequent phases involved cognitive task analysis and iterative testing with engineering students, focusing on user registration, app installation, device pairing, and data synchronization. Key interventions included simplifying login procedures and enhancing the instructional clarity of device setup. User feedback was integral, collected through surveys and direct observation, ensuring a user-centered design approach.Initial findings indicated several user-technology interaction challenges, particularly with complex login credentials and device pairing. Suggestions for improving these tasks have been explored and discussed. The study emphasizes the importance of human-centered design in the deployment of wearable technologies in research settings. Our findings indicate that even minor, focused alterations in the onboarding process can notably enhance the efficiency of technology adoptions within research environments. This research highlights the transformative potential of wearable technologies in academic data collection, emphasizing the crucial role of user-friendly design. Our findings demonstrate strategic design modifications that can significantly improve the efficiency and effectiveness of wearable technology usage in research settings.

Keywords: Human-Centered Design, Wearable Technology, User Onboarding, Cognitive Task Analysis, User Experience

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1005662

Cite this paper:

​