Bidirectional Charging App
Category: Mobile App • Time: 6 Months, Master Thesis • 2021
In frame of the research project "Bidirectional Charging Management", a Smartphone App with a dedicated UI was developed for users of vehicles with bidirectional charging technology. The App should enable users to manage their personal mobility requirements while making use of Bidirectional Charging.
Recommendations, based on the results of the usability test, are given for the implementation of input methods.
Users of this app are enabled to enter their desired charging settings with the best possible efficiency, effectiveness and satisfaction. The goal of this research was the comparison of the input methods Input Field, Drop Down List and Slider in this context. Additionally interview questions were formulated to explore users’ preferences and gather qualitative insights on the usability of the UI.
Electric vehicle drivers, all user groups interested in e-Mobility (N=50)
Improving and evaluating the App that was developed in the research project. Answering a scientific question and writing of the master thesis.
Usability Test
Due to pandemic restrictions, the associated Usability Test had to be performed as an online test, with the probands (N=50) using their own PCs / Laptops. During the usability test (within-subject design) the following data was collected:
Metrics: Duration time, adjustments during the entry
Questionnaires: UMUX and After Scenario Questionnaire
Qualitative data: Answers of interview questions
To analyse the results, ANOVA for Repeated Measurements, Chi-Squared Test and T-Tests were used. Additionally, the qualitative results were grouped into key themes to complement the quantitative findings.
In this master thesis, recommendations for the use of input methods for data entry were formulated. For me, it was important to not only confirm hypotheses with data analysis, but also finding out the "why" with the help of qualitative data. This resulted in a greater need of time for the evaluation, but it created helpful insights.
As part of a large-scale research project, the app will be developed further by the Research Group Cognitive and Engineering Psychology.