Human Computer Interaction (HCI)

Introduction to HCI

• Describe the fundamental concepts in Human Computer Interaction (HCI)
• Summarize the historical development of HCI
• Explain the importance of HCI
• Discuss analyzed the challenges of HCI

What is Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)?

• Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) is a multidisciplinary field with focus on the design, evaluation, implementation of interactive computer systems for human use, and the study of major related phenomena
• The goal of HCI is to make technology usable, enjoyable, and effective for people
• Functionality is important in HCI, so is user experience
• HCI draws from psychology, computer science, design, and ergonomics
• HCI creates systems effective and personally satisfying to use

HCI Core Principles

• Usability refers to how easy and efficient a system is to use, including learnability, efficiency, memorability, errors, and satisfaction
• User Experience (UX) is the overall experience a user has with a system, encompassing usability, emotional responses, and overall satisfaction; it's broader than usability
• Accessibility is designing systems usable by people with disabilities, considering visual, auditory, motor, and cognitive impairments
• User-Centered Design involves an iterative design process that prioritizes user needs and feedback at every stage
• Human Factors involves understanding human capabilities and limitations (physical, cognitive, perceptual) to inform design choices

HCI Components

• The User is an individual or group of individuals who work together on a project; HCI researches their needs, objectives, and interaction styles
• The Goal-Oriented Task refers to the user always having a purpose or aim in mind when using a computer, the computer should present a digital representation of things
• The Interface is an essential HCI element that should improve the quality of user interaction; Many interface-related factors must be considered, including type of interaction, screen resolution, display size, and color contrast
• The Context involves HCI improving the communication between users and computers and considering the environment in which the system is accessed

Historical Development of HCI

• In the Early Computing era (1940s–1950s), mainframe computers were large and expensive. A minimal interaction was done with computers using punch cards as input devices
• In circa 1940-1944, Vannevar Bush authored an essay describing his idea of navigating knowledge with a theorectical device known as "memex"
• During the Command-Line Interface era (1960s-1970s), interaction with computers was done using text-based command lines
• IBM (International Business Machines) introduced the first computer keyboard with the release of their IBM Model 3270 terminal in 1964
• In 1868 Christopher Latham Sholes, developed sholes and Glidden typewriter, aka Remington No. 1, and designed the QWERTY keyboard layout
• Ivan Sutherland developed Sketchpad in 1963
• Douglas Engelbart developed the first mouse in 1963
• In 1976, English, Engelbart & Berman developed the joystick, lightpen, knee-controlled lever, and Grafacon
• The Xerox Alto in 1970 introduced the concept of a graphical user interface (GUI) with windows, icons, and a mouse and led modern computing interaction
• Xerox PARC (Palo Alto Research Center) led many ideas in HCI and the Xerox Star workstation was an example of this
• Dr. Samuel Hurst developed a touchscreen system in 1977 and was a professor at the University of Kentucky
• The Elograph touchscreen developed by Planned Systems International (PSI) in 1982 was the first commercial touchscreen technology sensitive to pressure; it was used in ATMs, vending machines, and etc.
• The Apple Macintosh division was launched in 1984, key figures in its development were: Steve Jobs, Jef Raskin, Bill Atkinson, and Andy Hertzfeld
• In the Rise of PC and the Internet era (1990s), the use of personal computers greatly expanded the use of Windows and Mac OS with advanced GUI designs
• Also in the 1990s, the World Wide Web era introduced web browsers like Mosaic, and emphasized HCI innovations to design a web interface with usability, functionality, and accessibility
• The era of Mobile Devices & Ubiquitous Computing began from 2000s to the present
• The introduction of smartphones, tablets, wearables, etc., revolutionized HCl with different interfaces
• An example interface would be multitouch gestures in mobile
• The development of voice assistants such as Siri and Alexa introduced new modes of interaction such as speech and gestures, as well as new ways to interact with humans using wearables
• Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) have become more prominent from 2010s-Present
• AR/VR offers ways for 3D interaction
• AI is becoming more adaptive and intelligent by understanding user behaviors and preferences through personalized interfaces and virtual assistance

Importance of HCI

• Enhancing User Experience
• Increasing Productivity and Efficiency
• Reducing Errors and Frustration
• Enhancing Accessibility and Inclusivity
• Improving Decision-Making
• Enhancing Safety
• Driving Innovation
• Adapting to Changing Technologies
• Ethical Considerations
• Competitive Advantage
• User Satisfaction and Loyalty
• Cost Savings

Disciplines Contributing to HCI

• Computer Science: Provides software development and system architectures
• Psychology: Used to understand how humans perceive, think, and behave
• Ergonomics (Human Factors): Designs comfortable, safe, and effective devices and interfaces
• Sociology: Examines cultural, social, and environmental factors that influence user behavior and technology acceptance
• Linguistics: Used to improve language and communication between users and computers
• Engineering: Technical and hardware design knowledge
• Design: Creation of interfaces that are visually appealing and easy to navigate
• Philosophy: Addresses the ethical impact of technology on individuals and society
• Cognitive Science: Understands how the human mind works, including information processing, decision-making, and attention
• Information Science: Studies how people access, organize, and retrieve information

Future Directions of HCI

• Natural User Interfaces (NUI): Gesture and motion recognition
• Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI): Mind-controlled devices
• Context-Aware and Adaptive Interfaces: Smart adaptive systems, context-aware computing
• Wearable and Ubiquitous Computing: Invisible interfaces
• Artificial Intelligence: Emotion recognition
• Haptic Technology: Interactions based on the sense of touch, pressure, temperature

Challenges of HCI

• User Diversity: Meeting the needs of users with different abilities, cultures, and linguistic backgrounds
• Usability and Accessibility: Ensuring systems are easy to use and learn
• Interdisciplinary Nature of HCI: Balancing functionality, usability, aesthetic appeal, and technical limitations
• Technological Evolution: Keeping up with evolving technological advancements
• Personalization and Adaptability: Catering to different user preferences and interaction styles
• Multimodal Interaction: Integrating multiple modalities for device and user interface interaction
• User Engagement and Retention: Maintaining user attention and engagement
• Emotional and Psychological Factors: Addressing user emotions and experiences
• Contextual Understanding: Adapting to different environments (home, work, public places) and devices
• Privacy and Security: Protecting personal data and ensuring individual privacy and security
• Ethics: Preventing harm and misuse of technology, such as monitoring users