The way we see television and ear radio has changed considerably due to the use of internet and a all new generation of data networks and social media.
MODU Remote Control Concept 2019
A smaller number of TV channels and radio stations has been given place to a large set of interactive and on-demand contents, with new functionality, giving the user to see what he wants, when he wants and how he wants it. However, these new possibilities also brought an increased complexity in the interaction with these systems, namely with SmartTVs and Set-Top-Boxes, with implications to the remote controls. These increased complexity tends to push users away, reducing the use of these new technologies, with increased implications for older and less skillful people.
This project aims at replacing the traditional remote with a new generation one, using a new interaction paradigm, more intuitive and easy to use. As such, the remote should be based in a more natural communication interface (voice) and and haptic interface (with tactile and visual feedback). With these increase in functionality there should not be an increase in the traditional battery replacement period, in order not to increase the cost for the user and the environmental footprint of the remove usage.
In order to achieve the desired goals, the project works in three different directions, which will converge in a new generation remote: an efficient and compact audio coding (Audio), haptic feedback interfaces (Haptics) and energy harvesting techniques (Energy).
After studying the problem, Tech4Home has isolated the main problems with the current remotes (high usage complexity, fragility, design and the need to frequently replace the batteries). As such, Tech4Home, in collaboration with IPLeiria, as decided to tackle a new approach to the remote, similiar to what happened with mobile phones and smartphones.
Concept
A command with an atractive design and functionality, reducing the number of physical buttons, but keeping the actuation simplicity which characterizes these. In order not to loose functionality deriving from the reduced number of buttons, one can use one or more touch sensistive areas, different haptic feedback mechanisms and/or voice activated commands.
Goal
Create a manual interface, simple and intuitive, which allows an untrained user to discover and explore what the equipment has to offer. To do so, instead of a command with dozens of buttons, the user will have a remote with a simple design, with less non-protuberant buttons, with a touch sensitive area where, with simple gestures and the interaction with the screen itself, which he can use to explore all the multimedia device capabilities. The remote is also complemented with voice activated commands, allowing the user to directly access available commands, through a natural interface, the user voice.
This project is developed in co-promotion with the Tech4Home company and the Polytechin Institute of Leiria and is co-financed by ERDF – European Regional Developmen Found, in the scope of the Portugal 2020 program, through COMPETE 2020 – Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalização.
