HCI have aided in people interacting via or with technology, benefiting society in a number of ways.
Interfaces for Hostile Environments
Handheld data logging devices are used to input data in varied environments with other features such as analysis incorporated, these can be connected to other devices and network both wirelessly and by a standard wired connection. This has made it possible to log data much more efficiently and effectively in hostile environments and interact with other people other very large distances. This has improved the level of communication that can be attained in hostile environments, impacting on society as otherwise isolated communities can now interact with other people around the world and become a more global community as a whole. These devices have also benefited society by giving us information about hostile environments, for example a probe that is sent to a different planet is a form of data logging as it records and relays information otherwise unknown about that planet. This has aided us in many ways such as finding new substances that may be capable of protected us against disease.
Improvement of Usability
Another form of HCI that has impacted society is the improvement of usability between the human and the computer system. This is achieved in many ways such as simplifying the input and output of the computer system. An example of this is game controllers. These are designed to help the user input the information needed for the game, like telling an object in the game to move, via buttons and triggers as efficiently as possible. Game controllers significantly simplify the input of this to the user compared to a standard keyboard and mouse as there are no conflicting buttons or too many input methods that the user becomes overwhelmed and cannot use it efficiently. This has impacted on society as entertainment platforms such as game consoles that were once too complex to attract a large audience are now accepted by many more people in society due to their simplification in input and output. This has led to society communicating and developing through these mediums and often people to be more social as they are now able to participate in activities with other people from the comfort of their own home.
Usability has also improved with HCI by the reduction of specialised knowledge requirements of certain computer systems. For example personal computer’s now have graphical user interfaces with tutorials to guide the user through the task he/she is trying to accomplish and now pervious computer knowledge is required. This has had an impact on society because every person with access to the technology is able to use it regardless of their specialised knowledge, meaning an increase in the popularity of the technology. This has also impacted society in the way of making systems more accessible to people with disabilities, with specialised designed interfaces for them.
Flexible Phones
Flexible phones are in the concept stage of development. It is hoped that telecommunications will be able to be adapted into an interface that can be flexible, such as bending round the wrist like a watch. This would affect society as it would mean people would be constantly connected to other people across the globe with instant communication available. It would affect society as people would be able to communicate with others no matter what the situation. It also has had an impact on society as people would no longer have to carry as many things being able to use this reduction in restriction to aid society.
Touch Screens
Touch screens are visual display devices with the technology to allow the user to interact with what is being displayed by touching the screen. These have made mobile devices become very small in size and more user friendly as the user is directly interacting with what is being displayed. It has impacted society as many mobile devices are now incorporated into everyday life because of their ease of use, and made communication within society a much easier task. It also makes a one device available to many groups of people with different requirements, such as partially sighted needing information to be displayed in a larger format, as it can be scaled up and down impacted society by broadening its reach.
Tweet Mirror
Development of HCIs has made socialising with other people within society via computer systems a much more user friendly and efficient method. A good example is the tweet mirror. This device stores a photograph of customers outfit in the changing rooms and sends it to the user’s friends and family via the popular social networking site, twitter, for instant feedback on whether they should buy the clothes. This impacts society as it allows communication and interaction in areas that were not previously possible, like private changing rooms. This will also increase people’s socialising skills and time having an effect on society with people being closer than they would have previously been.
Domestic Appliance Displays
Domestic appliances have developed with the introduction of displays and more advanced output. These displays give important information on the task that is being carried out, for example a microwave showing how much time is left until the food is cooked. Many of these displays have touch screen as well making it much easier and faster to input exact instructions to the appliance. This has impacted society by making domestic tasks such as washing more accessible to disabled members of the communities who would not be able to do this on their own usually. The visually impaired no longer have to spend extra time using these devices and can be as efficient as the rest of society.
Complexity
Fly By Wire
Fly by wire technology has been developed to aid pilots in the flying of planes. It converts the manual controls of the plane into electronic signals by wires connecting to the various components needing to be controlled. Fly by wire can help the pilots because it performs tasks without input from the user. This is helpful because it can cut down on human error, which can potentially save lives. This has made us much more dependent on technology to carry out such important tasks and has changed the society we live in because of this. It has also impacted by puts confidence in the public to these new technologies, like aeroplanes, being used as a safe means of transport and has allowed communities to connect easier than ever before.
Heads Up Display (HUD)
Heads up display is any transparent display that presents information to the user interfacing with that system, for example in cars they are used to display such things as the current speed of the vehicle and how much petrol is left in the tank, both vital information for the driver to travel safely and efficiently. With this the driver is able to drive much safer than before as they no longer have to take their eyes off the road to view this information, as a result this impacts society as less crashes will occur and transport will be more available to people who struggled with the multiple displays before and help certain disability groups such as the partially sighted as they will be able to see a clear representation of the information they need.
Virtual Reality
Virtual reality are computer-simulated environments, used to simulate physical activities to the user, this is used for professional training purposes and for entertainment. This has impacted society as it has made us less likely to go out and socialise physically with other people as we can have the same experience in the comfort of our own home. As well as socialising decreasing, health can also be affected from not getting enough exercise as most virtual reality is experienced sitting down not moving a lot.
Sources
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http://www.gsarchives.net/index2.php?category=sprites&system=n64&game=mario_kart_64&type=sprites
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http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/8488269.stm
