Motion detection mechanisms are quite common nowadays, especially in public toilets and WCs. Light goes on automatically when you enter the WC, water goes on when you place your hands under the tap, and so on.
But I don’t think that works, UX-wise. Why? Let me explain.
Let’s say you’ve got a toilet cubicle with a motion detection mechanism to turn on the light. If the mechanism is not properly placed, it will really be the last thing you try: You go in the room, you search automatically around for visible switches, you find none, you wiggle around a bit more, maybe even leave the place and come back again, and finally you shrug, deciding that oh well, what has to be done has to be done, even in the dark. And tada! You enter the cubicle, light goes on. Leaves you baffled (and relieved).
Now let’s take the other example, one of my favourites: let’s say you have a tap with motion detection. You see it, see no visible way of controling it, no stickers around. You try turning it (I know I’ve done that many times) but it won’t work. You look for buttons on the wall or on the floor, ’cause hey, you’ve seen that around, but there are none. No visible way of controlling a tap. What would you do? I’ve left. Many times.
So the problem with motion detection is exactly this: They usually are planted in the last place you’ll ever check. Getting your hands under a tap without turning it on somehow is really the last resort, not the first thing in your mind.
I know that motion detection systems are a great way of ensuring economy both in use of power and water, but sometimes, the fanci-ness of it all really gets on my nerves.
4 comments on this post
georgeadams #1
13.Aug.08
Last month, while on vacation, I came across another example of poorly designed motion detection systems.
The toilet cubicle I tried to use, employed a motion detection light system. The light came on as soon as I crossed the cubicle door. The problem was that it was on a timer mechanism.
The light went off 2 minutes later, even though I was still in the cubicle. What’s worse is that the only way to turn it on again was to open the cubicle door!
As you can imagine this is not something you want to do when you are pants-down doing whatever you are supposed to be doing in a toilet cubicle.
stelios #2
13.Aug.08
One more thing. Motion detection light control. You enter the cubicle, light goes on. You start doing what you have to do in these cases (don’t get into details), and after a while light goes off because the stupid mechanism assumes you’re finished (unless you are moving while doing your job) and you’re left in the dark. has happened to me…
Svelon #3
13.Aug.08
So, a simple sticker or sign or whatever would solve the whole problem (not the timer mechanism
). But I do believe that it’s just more fun to watch people searching how to operate stuff, so a camera would be better than a sticker ;P
7deeds » Blog Archive » Motion detection and common knowledge #413.Aug.08
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