Interaction Critique - ATMs

Lexus - Natural Interaction

I couple of days ago, I was watching TV and saw this commercial. Probably many of you have already seen it but I thought that Lexus is pointing out very interesting interactions in its RX 350.

The commercial shows how you do not have to change any of the things that you regularly do in order to control your Lexus. In this commercial they show its users that controlling this car resembles a very natural interaction. For example, they show that in order to turn the car on, the user only needs to press a button, the lights turn on automatically when it senses you close to it, the GPS looks like a map similar to the ones we were used to using a few years ago and the controller resembles a computer mouse.

Lexus wants to show its customer that using a Lexus RX 350 is extremely intuitive because you only have to do what you usually do. As they mention in the commercial: "All we ask is that you keep doing what you always do".

I think that this is a very good advertising campaign because it shares the designers perspective with its customers in order to let them know that the car is really intuitive and easy to use. In other words, it lets users know that they do not have to feel scared or overwhelmed by technology because virtually, nothing is changing in their lives.

What do you guys think about this commercial?

The Stackable Water Bottle

This is one of those designs that’s so incredibly brilliant it makes you feel like a moron. I cannot believe that no one thought of this before.... it is an extremely simple idea but it saves a lot of space and is very convenient.... Especially companies that have to deal with these bottles on a regular basis and on very big amounts. It’s one thing for an average person to overlook this idea, but it’s surprising that no water cooler companies have come up with this.

In Venezuela, you cannot drink water from the tab because it is extremely contaminated. Therefore, we have to buy these big water bottles every two weeks when the truck comes to my house. This means that we have to buy at least 6 bottles which take an exaggerated amount of space.... we even have a small room designated to put these bottles which is not very convenient and it takes tons of space.

The Stackable Bottle, designed by Yujin Kim, would make it possible to stack several bottles on top of each other and save a whole lot of space. Instead of having to use extra materials to make them stack or having to have a special room for these, everything you’d need would already be built into the bottle. Plus for those using these at home or in the office, once these are in the water cooler you could use the bottom as a cute vase. Hopefully this design will get companies to switch to these stackable bottles soon.

Rollup computer - A futuristic design

I am not sure if I like this futuristic laptop called Rollup, but I am sure that they are taking the word portability a step further. The concept design uses minimal materials, OLED technology for the screen, and hopes to be an all-in-one gadget that can sweep aside the need to have a laptop, e-reader, tablet and other devices. This ingenious concept allows you to “rollup” your laptop into a neat package (that I think looks like a yoga mat), while being able to use it in several different formats, from a 13" mini-notebook, to a graphics tablet, to a 17" flat screen monitor.

An important question that we have to ask ourselves is how long will this computer last? It does not look easy to repair but if it is strong enough it could be a very cool device. I think that another good thing that rollup is offering is that it uses an OLED screen which makes it a “green innovation”. I believe that this should be the path that new technologies acquire because we need to start coming up with innovative and sustainable products.

My concern is that the technologies are moving too fast and that maybe, the product will be obsolete by the time it hits the market. I think that there market is not currently prepared to such a futuristic device but in a year or two this is the kind of innovations that people will be looking for. Right timing is the key to success!

I also believe that many people think that it could be a great device and invention but others are skeptic. I read a comment from someone saying “the only problem I see with the unit is portability. There’s no way I’d advertise I’m carrying an expensive computer like that. It gives a whole new meaning to purse snatching”… In other words, I think that they have to clearly define and understand their market before launching it in order to be extremely successful.