Remote controls have evolved from large wired devices with inconsistent standards to smaller wireless universal remotes and eventually smartphone apps. Early remote controls had limited range and functionality, confusing button layouts, and required wires. Over time, standards developed like consistent power button placement, and wireless infrared technology removed wiring restrictions. This enabled novel remote-controlled products and economic growth. However, managing multiple remotes caused new user interface issues. Solutions included all-in-one remotes and software updates more easily than physical remotes. Gesture-based controls may eventually replace remotes, but accessibility must be considered.

1. Remote Controls
HCI ASSIGNMENT ONE - EXAMPLE

2. Assignment One
• On the following slides, there are two
examples of assignments on ‘Remote
Controls’.
• The first example is a poor quality ‘fail’.
• The second example is a high quality
‘merit/distinction’.

3. Doing It Wrong…
• There was a time that remote controls were
large and difficult to use. As the decades have
progressed, they became lighter and cheaper to
make.
• More and more machines relied on remotes, so
things that didn’t used to use them like
freestanding radiators now have them.
• Because they come included with it, it means we
have to make more of them – improving the
economy.
• We no longer need to physically move to turn
things on and off; this has made our lives much
easier.

4. Why is it wrong?
• You’ve only described the advancing of the
technology, not the impact of the
interface/interaction!
• You’ve not used specific, concrete examples!
• You’ve not gone into any detail about the
economic, cultural or social impact!

5. Now follows a good
example...
• The following demonstrates what a good
assignment one would look like; note how it is
different from the previous example!

6. In the beginning…
• Classic remote controls were
rudimentary devices; limited in
functionality and range, they
often required long, trailing
wires to connect electronic
devices to the controller.
• The designs were often
confusing; with no standards,
each manufacturer created
their own system, with
bewildering labelling schemes
and counter intuitive buttons.

7. What were the issues?
• The designs were often
confusing; with no standards,
each manufacturer created their
own system, with bewildering
labelling schemes and counter
intuitive buttons.
• Increasingly, interfaces became
standardised. Shorthands such as
colour coding the power button
and positioning it in the top-hand
corner mean, regardless of
spoken language or cultural
tradition, you can always find the
‘on/off’ button on a remote.

8. Developments
• Remotes have also become wireless, using infra-
red (IR) technology to transmit commands; this
has removed the need for a ‘physical’
connection. This has had a large impact on the
economy and culture as remote operation
means we no longer have to be constricted by a
length of wire.
• For instance, Remote control technology can
now be used in space travel to control vehicles
over vast distances.
• Also, due to this fundamental change in the
interface, we can produce a range of products
that were previously inconceivable such as
remote control gates and burglar alarms – this
has fuelled the economy by opening up a range
of novel products previously unavailable due to
the restriction in interface technology.

9. Any Problems?
• While, the large uptake in
remote control devices
has largely been
beneficial, it has also
created a few problems.
• Firstly, the sheer number
of remotely controlled
devices at home has
raised new interface
issues; confusion over
which remote controls
which device are
common.

10. Solutions…
• Solutions have evolved over time, including ‘all in one’
remotes, removing the need for redundant remotes
utilising a ‘universal’ interface that’s far more user friendly
• For example, the ‘One For All Kamelleon’ will illuminate the
relevant options for each device as it’s selected from the
menu. This prevents the complexities of using several
electronic systems at once, helping the user select only
their desired option(s).

11. Where is it all going?
• The introduction of Smartphones has also
fundamentally changed the way in which
we use remote control technology.
• We no longer require dedicated devices –
instead we can format customised
interfaces for each appliance in our home
without having to switch between
remotes. Buttons can now be positioned
and repositioned using software rather
than relying on hardware.
• Similarly, the cost of developing software
is far cheaper and more practical than a
physical remote; remotes can be updated
and provided to users ‘free’ rather than
requiring a new PCB and remote casing.

12. Where is it all going?
• We also need to consider
the future of ‘remote
controls’. More and more
commonly we are
become the control
system ourselves.
• Microsoft’s Kinect and
Flutter allow us to use
gestures rather than
physical devices when
operating our digital
devices.

13. Where is it all going?
• It can make operation more naturalistic and give a genuine sense
of ‘control’.
• It will potentially open up new channels of communication;
gesturing could automate difficult, traditionally time-consuming
tasks with naturalistic movements; e.g. a single ‘spiraling’ gesture
with a finger could order train tickets.
• However, we still need to consider how it will affect certain
members of society; those with physical impairments such as
amputees and the elderly will have trouble interacting with these
devices.
• Governments may need to legislate to ensure such exclusion
cannot occur, using fallback systems or minimum requirements
for operation.