Towards a macroscopic view of using an assistive technology for mobility for its development: Assessing users’ and co-users’ experience

Abstract

This paper aims to propose an approach to include a holistic user experience (UX) perspective in the development of an assistive technology for mobility, more precisely an intelligent powered wheelchair (IPW). First, the UX related to the anticipated experience (powered wheelchair users, caregivers, clinicians) was obtained in a previous study in order to define technological and functional specifications. Second, the UX related to the episodic and momentary experience were highlighted within a Living lab approach. In that framework, we tested with end-users an IPW in an ecological setting, a mall. For our next step, we propose a methodology to apprehend the cumulative experience. This study will take into account co-users, i.e. co-workers, other pedestrians, etc., that most studies do not take into account and that, in diverse ecological settings.