EMACS Prototype 3

 

* For reasons of limited bandwidth only 1 sample picture of Prototype 3 is displayed underneath these comments. The whole prototype can been better appreciated by accessing the Usability Testing Cases page. If you have a fast connection, you may want to access the Full Size Prototype for the full effect. Enjoy.

* Prototype 3 of the EMACS Vital Signs' window, which as you will remember is the default open window during a climber ascent or descent, follows a different approach than either prototype 2 or 1.

* With Prototype 3, the 6 vital signs rotate in the window at a regular interval. This interval can be set as a preference in EMACS, but an interval of 2 seconds seems reasonable. As such the whole range of vital signs can be seen within 12 seconds by a climber on the slopes.

* I am satisfied that prototype 2 is a good prototype. Yet, after usability testing of prototype 2 and through the process of formative evaluation I was incrementally led to this 3rd Prototype.
When I first came up with the idea of rotating views, I was altogether suspicious that it would not amount to much more than "eye candy". Yet, I began to give it more thought and drew some sketches on a paper prototype. Once the 3rd prototype came to life on the drawing board I made a complete turn around: I am now convinced this is the best prototype by far for the following two reasons:

1.- Simplicity. The design shows only one vital sign at a time and therefore there cannot be any confusion in a climber at the limits of his or her physical and mental capacities as to what he or she is looking at. Information is invaluable, but confusion in its interpretation makes it not only useless but in an extreme environment potentially deadly.
As such, simplicity in the design has emerged has a top priority in this prototype.

3.- Flexibility. Prototype 2 and 3 could easily be integrated in the software as a invaluable user display preference as recommended in the next paragraph.

* I would propose integration of prototype 2 and 3 as follow:
- Bellow 20,000ft a climber would use the display provided by Prototype 2.
It is a good elevation to climb to while testing one's vital sign and getting a feeling as to how they all work together and affect each others.
Information is comprehensively accessed at a glance, and bellow 20,000 ft a well acclimatized climber is at a minimal risk of contracting either AMS, HAPE, or HACE.

- Between 20,000 to 25.000 ft things can get tricky really fast.
Climbers are a genuine risk of being affected by either AMS, HAPE, or HACE.
This would be a good time for a climber to start switching back and forth between both display (Prototype 2 & Prototype 3), and get to appreciate how they differ in providing real time data. Meanwhile, in the comfort of intermediaries camps, climbers could play with the device, trying different rotating views intervals before deciding which one they are more comfortable with.

- Beyond 25,000 ft a climber would switch to Prototype 3 display.
As the ascent proceeds beyond 25,000 ft climbers are left with only 10% of their intellectual capacities. For all practical purpose they are brain dead.
This is not the place to play with the device. Rather climbers should focus on the climb and let the device do its job quietly and safely in the background.

* I must admit I am quite happy with this solution. It reconciles the best of two worlds and two design ideas while ensuring EMACS' three foremost concerns : Safety, Safety, and Safety.

Please make sure to read the Vital Signs Technical Glossary for a thorough explanation of all acronyms displayed in this prototype along with an explanation of each vital sign being monitored in this last prototype.

 

EMACS Vital Signs Window