(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2014)
Lin, Xuejiao
Microwave ovens can be used to perform varied cooking and food preparation related tasks with greater efficiency and
convenience than traditional cooktops and ovens. Microwave
ovens have been highly adopted by older adults in the past 40 years, especially those living in small spaces such as retirement communities. As industry develops microwave ovens with
more and advanced functions, it poses a challenging usability
factor for older adults in regards to complexity of use. Furthermore, older adult’s abilities may decline with age, adding an additional factor for operating microwaves. The
purpose of the project is to not only understand older adult’s current usability factors of microwave ovens, but also develop an improved microwave oven design for older adults. This
project will discuss research results including surveys, space
assessment, market reviews and usability testing of microwave
ovens as well as the process for designing microwave ovens for
older adults living in retirement communities. The significance of this project is to design products that are better suited for older adults’ needs in relationship of adoption and usability of
everyday technologies.