Bridging the Gap: How Voice User Interface Technology Breaks Down Learnability Barriers of Human Computer Interaction for Older Adult Users

Abstract

This paper will focus on how voice user interface technology has the potential to break down the barrier of usability between older adult users and technology by supporting verbal communication. To explore and support this potential, the research will explore on how user experience design and learning techniques play a large role in designing voice interfaces for older adults by revealing (a) the pros and cons of voice interaction technology design standards, (b) current voice interaction applications, and (c) informal and formal methods of defining and measuring learning in order to provide a solid foundation. Then, focus will be placed on usability testing carried out for this project in order to reveal avenues for strengthening the usability experience of voice interaction for older adult users.