The Human-Technology Podcast: Recent Episodes
Dr. Peter Roessger
It's about the relationship between humans and technology, about the design of technology. It's about how we can get our lives back by dropping technology addiction. Technology has two big problems: it's difficult to access and it's addicting. I want to make my listeners' lives better by opening their eyes to the design and use of technology. My goal is to change the way you look at the world and make it a better place.
Our brain as we know it - and most of the time we use it - emerged in its basic character during the cognitive revolution 70,000 years ago. With this artifact adapted to the conditions of the Stone Age, we are constantly changing our environment and have to deal with the consequences. In this episode, I look at the strengths and weaknesses of the brain and analyze whether it is a computer in our head.
Usability, user experience, and, relatively new, user delight define the quality of human-machine interaction. Usability is the usability, the rather hard part. User Experience deals with the emotion of the user and the emotions that technology triggers. User Delight borders on user experience, but focuses on the development, development, and communication of personality, the communication of self-image.
Smart surfaces, i.e. "intelligent surfaces", are one of the trends in vehicle interiors. Or is it more of a buzzword? They offer a few advantages, but also have serious disadvantages. In this podcast episode, I discuss my view of the technologies and the use cases.
In the last episode of the human-technology podcast, I looked at the trends that deal directly with the artifact, with the car. In this episode, I look at what's happening in business in relationships between the automotive industry and other industries. Specifically, it is about new platforms for electric vehicles, about over-the-air updates, i.e. loading software into the vehicle via the radio interface, and about the relationship between the vehicle industry and big tech, companies like Meta, Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Tencent, or Alibaba.
Every now and then I like to record an episode with the current and future trends in the automotive industry. Basically, there is little movement in a very mature and traditional industry, so the small changes are the exciting ones. Today's episode is about the C.A.S.E. mantra and the shifts that are happening there. It's about the vehicle. The next episode will discuss topics related to cooperation, business models, and the automotive industry.
Technology has value only if it meets the dreams, needs, desires of the users. When it makes people's lives better, easier, more focused, faster, safer, or just plain funnier. Technology without value might pass for art, but in the end, it's just junk. Understanding users is central to the success of a product, service, or technology. In this episode of the human-technology podcast, I present three methods that set the right course at the beginning of a project.
Besides all the visions, the trends, the thinking about the future, in addition to all the generic, strategic topics, we need a solid basis for the development of HMI solutions in cars. In this podcast episode, I analyze the interaction principles of ISO 9241 and a set of rules I developed for my projects. I clarify what are the parameters that make an HMI solution perfect.
The first business trip of every year takes me to the CES at Las Vegas, NV. The show was canceled in 2021 due to the Pandemic, 2022 tried a revival. My impressions on a totally different show, new experiences, and the missing HMI innovations in this podcast episode.
Artificial intelligence is on the rise. In many areas of daily life, it is reality and we hardly notice it anymore, in others it is on the rise. In this episode of the Mensch-Technik podcast, I analyze the role of AI in and around the car, look for use cases and problems with the application. And I'll tell you why we should introduce the term “intelligence substitute”!
Apala Chavan is one of the top user experience and usability professionals. She is co-founder of the HFI, a member of the ACM Publications Board, and chair of the design and innovation committee of the IAMAI, and finally an expert member of the Academic Council at Vidyashilp University. I met her during an HCII (online) session on Intercultural HMI design last summer. She sees culture as not only geographical, but also based on wealth. Her focus of work is on the integration of the poor into technology use cases. Are you aware, that 12% of humanity is rich, and these 12% design technology for 100% of the humans?
Design thinking often comes across as a buzzword, like a hype, like old and established methods in a new appearance. This is not entirely unfounded, the method is partly based on what has been tried and tested for a long time. But there are also innovative and exciting approaches, especially in the philosophy, in the approach, and in the processes. I discuss my point of view on design thinking and tell you my three most important takeaways.
In this episode of The Human-Technology Podcast, I had the chance to interview Stephane Feron. Stephane is an HMI expert at Stellantis, the resulting company of the merger between PSA and Fiat Chrysler. He is a long-term friend of mine, we met more or less 10 years ago at an Automotive HMI conference. Stephane talks about what brought him to the point where he is, what drives him in his professional life, and about the presence and future of automotive HMIs.
Talking about culture is always a bit daring. You quickly get lost in stereotypes, "the Germans", "the Asians", "the Americans", and everyone knows that this is often oversimplified. On the other hand, there are differences between people from different cultures. That's why I'm doing the episode and talking about culture and the differences in HMI design that are based on culture.
Android Auto is a technology that aims to bridge the gap between vehicle and smartphone. The use of apps is possible in the vehicle on the screen of the infotainment system. In this podcast, I talk about my very mixed two weeks of experience with Android Auto during my summer vacation.
User experience is central to the development of technology, of HMIs, in the relationship between humans and technology. It is defined in ISO 9241, but this does not mean that the term is used and understood consistently. In this podcast episode, I analyze what specific experiences drivers and passengers want to have in cars. There have been ten of them, which I take a closer look at.
The vehicle industry and its products are undergoing radical change. From the combustion engine to the electric motor. From the island of disconnectivity to the rolling data producer. From manual driving to driver assistance to autonomous vehicles. In addition, there is the influence of the corona pandemic on all areas of the economy, including trade fairs and congresses.
An IAA in these times and in a new location: that will be exciting. In this episode of The Human-Technology Podcast, I will talk about my impressions of the IAA 2021, of the trends that I have seen, and I am optimistic that the IAA and the auto industry will continue. Different and better.
Olivier Cros is Director, Head of Automotive & of Education at MyScript®. MyScript® is a technology company providing handwriting recognition for various applications from smartphones to cars. I talked with Olivier about what brought him to the point where he is, what made him the person he is, what his company does, and how he sees the future of mobility, driver distraction, and HMIs.
Simon Sinek's Golden Circle is a tool or a mindset that is very useful in management, leadership, business, personal development, and life in general. The book title "Start with Why" describes the principle in one sentence. A strong "why" is the engine, a driver, the fixed star for business, work, and life. The "how" and finally the "what" follows from this. I designed the 3P principle (personality, processes, parameters) of the HMI development and poured it into a workshop. In this podcast episode, I present the two methods and show their connections.
The coronavirus is changing all areas of our life: work, private life, mobility, communication, being together as people, groups, and societies. It is also changing the vehicle industry and its products, and our mobility. Much of it had been known for a long time and is now visible and accelerated as if under a magnifying glass. The virus is a turbocharger for change!
Christian Delise is the founder and director of Delise Design Works, an automotive design studio out of San Francisco. Before starting his own business he had various design positions at Volkswagen, Lamborghini, and Toyota. I am honored that Christian spend half an hour with me chatting about vehicle design, the relationship between humans and technology, and the influence of the digital world on human brains.
Last week a highly emotional event took place for everyone involved: the first on-site meeting, the first offline conference in what felt like years. Defacto it was only a few months, but everyone could tell that it was a special event. I summarize and comment on the main points of the conference.
Hamed Yahyaei is Design Lead and Senior UX, CX & Service Designer at Scania, the Swedish truck OEM. We talked about his life, his journey towards technology design, the difference between user experience and customer experience, and his views on the future of the automotive world. Interesting insights you should not miss!
There is no such thing as THE ONE science, but a large number of different disciplines. And within the individual disciplines, there are different directions, schools of thought, and views. In this episode of the human-technology podcast, I take a look at the history of science and then out a focus on the two sciences that, in my opinion, have the biggest influence on the design of human-technology interaction. Small spoiler: one of these disciplines focuses on humans, the other on technology.
Technology is very close to us, it gets on us. Or even into the body. That has advantages, makes sense, creates value. But it also creates a dull, negative feeling, insecurity, and fear. Using three automotive technologies as examples, two of which generate or use closeness, one distance, I discuss the closeness-distance relationship between humans and technology.
There are always situations in which creativity is required. Whether in the development of technology and HMIs or in other life situations. In this episode, I present three creativity techniques with which I have achieved enormous success with my clients.
Thinking Fast and Slow is the main publication by Nobel Prize Winner Daniel Kahneman. It is on the topics of thinking, decision making, and acting. For our brain, it defines the fast and imprecise system 1 and the analytical, slow system 2. I have extracted three theses from the book and analyze how they can influence the development of technology.
Automated driving, self-driving vehicles, and, at the end of the day, rolling robots that autonomously manage entire routes are some of the visions of the future and are some of the major megatrends in the automotive industry. The different levels of automation are defining how the relationship between people and technology, between driver and vehicle, is designed. Based on SAE levels 0 to 5, I will discuss how HMIs, vehicle interiors, and how the relationship between driver and vehicle changes.
The first industrial revolution started in England at the end of the 18th century. Agrarian societies turned into industrial societies, the foundations for the highly technological world of today had been created. I analyze the industrial revolutions from 1 to 4, their effects on the relationship between people and technology, and what that means for HMIs (human-machine interfaces). This episode discusses the third and fourth industrial revolutions.
The first industrial revolution started in England at the end of the 18th century. Agrarian societies turned into industrial societies, the foundations for the highly technological world of today had been created. I analyze the industrial revolutions from 1 to 4, their effects on the relationship between people and technology, and what that means for HMIs (human-machine interfaces). This episode discusses the first and second industrial revolutions.
We need to know everything about humans to design technology. And not vice versa. When looking at the relationship between humans and technology, the focus is often on technology. What is good, what is bad, what works, and what does not? And it's about the interaction, what happens between the two parties. This week like in the last, I'll take a closer look at humans. From a very special perspective. I mirror technology and HMIs against the theses of Yuval Noah Harari as he puts them up in his book "A Brief History of Humankind". A 30,000 feet flight through 70,000 years of human history and what it tells us for our future.
We need to know everything about humans to design technology. And not vice versa. When looking at the relationship between humans and technology, the focus is often on technology. What is good, what is bad, what works, and what does not? And it's about the interaction, what happens between the two parties. This week and the next, I'll take a closer look at humans. From a very special perspective. I mirror technology and HMIs against the theses of Yuval Noah Harari as he puts them up in his book "A Brief History of Humankind". A 30,000 feet flight through 70,000 years of human history and what it tells us for our future.
This is episode two of two. If you have not heard the first episode you may return to last week and listen to it first! Designing an HMI, GUI, interface solution is in some parts a highly creative process, and I'm some parts following a strict procedure. After collecting the relevant data, the knowledge shall be turned into some concept. In this episode, I'm describing the steps required to get a solution with perfect usability and user experience.
Designing an HMI, GUI, interface solution is in some parts a highly creative process, and I'm some parts following a strict procedure. After collecting the relevant data, the knowledge shall be turned into some concept. In this episode and the next one, I'm describing the steps required to get a solution with perfect usability and user experience.
Amanda Stockwell is President of Stockwell Strategy. With her business, she has a focus on user research. She collects all the data the techy guys need to create successful products. Amanda talks about a boat trip to Mexico, which was totally unusual, about the way she sees our highly technological way, about her education and her various positions. And she lets us know, how lollipops influenced her career.
This episode of podcasts is the beginning of a mini-series on the topic of the User-Centered Design Process. People with their desires, dreams, and skills should be at the center of thinking about and developing technology. At the beginning of the process, there is an analysis procedure, in which the existing data, the environment, the tasks, the skills of the user are. A user-oriented HMI solution can only be created with a solid and detailed database. Further episodes will discuss the next steps!
Driving becomes more and more automated. From single assistant systems like lane-keeping in-vehicle technologies grow and merge towards fully automated and autonomous driving. The relationship between humans and cars will change drastically, the entire usability, user experience, and HMI design will change dramatically. Episode 2 discussed the changes in user experience for drivers, passengers, and humans outside the vehicle.
Driving becomes more and more automated. From single assistant systems like lane-keeping in-vehicle technologies grow and merge towards fully automated and autonomous driving. The relationship between humans and cars will change drastically, the entire usability, user experience, and HMI design will change dramatically. Episode 1 focuses on the dream of autonomous mobility, the history of vehicle automation, the levels of automation, and the related technology development.
Sam Clark is the founder and CEO of Conjure, a London-based HMI and graphic design studio. Amongst others, he developed solutions for Ford and Triumph Motorcycles. He has his view on the status and the future of the automotive industry. And he talks about it!
The term "intuitive" is often used when demands are made on the usability of technology. Every company, every corporation claims that the technology developed is intuitive.
What is intuitiveness? How is it created? And how can it be ensured in the development process? Most of us know intuitively what intuitiveness means. Based on the activation theory of Bärentsen and Trettvik, I am discussing the term intuitiveness, it comes from intuition and is shaped by previous physical and cultural experiences.
At the end of the podcast, I will give you three questions that should be answered in detail at the beginning of every HMI development in order to get an intuitive solution.
Technologies are often hyped at first, only to fail grandly. 80-90% of all innovations do not make it to success. This episode of the Human-Technology podcast is about the why, why do innovations fail, and three technologies that are currently immensely popular and that I don't believe in. These are electric and autonomous flying taxis, plug-in hybrid vehicles, and the acquisition of Zoox by Amazon.
We are standing on the shoulder of giants. All we do, we think, all the ideas we have are based on the ideas and actions of others. The big guys write books and publish them. Books are an excellent chance to get into the brains, into the thinking, into the thoughts of leaders impacting our world. I talk about three books about HMI design, usability, and user experience that influenced me. They are:
Donald Norman: The Design of Everyday Things Alan Cooper: The Inmates are Running the Asylum Gilles Colborne: Simple and Usable
New technologies allow and require new means of interaction between humans and machines. Three trends, that will shape the future of the interaction between humans and machines are discussed. They are: 1. Humane HMIs: the interaction action between humans and machines will become more and more like the communication between humans 2. Liquid HMIs: HMIs are leaking out of their original instances, like a scene in a car, into other devices like smartphones 3. AR/XR HIs: the augmentation of digital information over the real world will enhance safety, information, entertainment, and education
The CES 2021 was the first-ever fully digital event of the CTA. Instead of strolling through the halls of the Las Vegas Convention Center, the audience was in front of their screens at home. Just like the speakers, presenters, and moderators. Some real cool news, ideas, technologies, and services were presented though. I summarize my highlights from an automotive and HMI perspective. Episode 2 of 2.
The CES 2021 was the first-ever fully digital event of the CTA. Instead of strolling through the halls of the Las Vegas Convention Center, the audience was in front of their screens at home. Just like the speakers, presenters, and moderators. Some real cool news, ideas, technologies, and services were presented though. I summarize my highlights from an automotive and HMI perspective. Episode 1 of 2.
The Coronavirus and our activities to limit the consequences of the outbreak change our lives heavily. The Pandemic will be over one day, but some of the changes we experience today will remain. This episode of the Human-Technology Podcast analyzes existing and remaining changes. The focus will be on: - New work - New social interaction - New mobility concepts
Megatrends are existing trends, they are visible, and they influence our world, our actions, and us. This episode presents three megatrends, that influence technology, human-machine interfaces, and our future relationship with technology.
This is the first episode of the Human-Technology podcast in which I want to do two things. It's about the podcast, what it is, why I record it. And it's about me. A few words about my background, my skills, and why I am recording this podcast.