tom brought up an interesting problem in ipc_class-1:
the flush in nyu-bathrooms are controlled by a motion-sensor, meaning that the flush runs when it senses an object leaving. however, people in ipc_class-1 complained (and i’ve experienced this too), that sometimes the flush will run as you sit on the toilet (because you may be too far from the sensor), or as you’re getting up (you may bend forward too much).
this is, perhaps, an example of implicit machine interaction (see the design of implicit interactions, wendy ju & larry leifer), where a person’s interaction with a machine is assumed; and creates bad outcomes.
reminds me of shobhan telling me to never make products that try to assume what human beings want to do.