Internet of Things usability testing

Beacons are an imperfect technology – their broadcast signal can be easily disrupted by environmental conditions; even the orientation of the beacon can affect signal range and direction – but they do have their uses when deployed mindfully.

In the case of Kew Gardens, beacons should be used to augment higher level experiences (‘zones’ and ‘places’) rather than lower levels (‘collections’ and ‘specific artefacts’). For example, visitors who prefer more serendipitous experiences will welcome the ability to access detailed content at places that catch their eye; if they see a building in the distance it will raise questions of what it is and what it has to offer. Using beacons to provide these answers is an ideal use case.

Insights such as these can only be readily gained through contexual research and the analysis of customer behaviours. If you are considering the use of beacons, or if you want to provide an IoT service, you should consider this approach.