Meta Orion

Assessing Orion's interaction model and user expectations of inputs and system actions

Project Overview

I led recurring benchmarking for iterative prototyping of Meta's Orion AR glasses computing platform, focusing on addressing usability challenges in Orion’s inputs, interactions, system design, and operating system UI. The goal was to craft a seamless user experience while designing at scale, enabling improved affordability for the consumer product line

On a high level, I conducted user interviews and usability testings, synthesize research findings into tactical design decisions that can be employed to ensure the AR experience meets the user expectation. The product has been showcased at Meta Connect 2024

Please note that certain details in this case study have been modified or omitted to uphold non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) and respect confidentiality. For further details and inquiries, please reach out and thank you for your understanding!

Timeline

August 2024 - November 2024

Project Type

UX Research
Experimental Design
Design Strategy

Role

UX Research
Project Management

Tools

Qualtrics XM
Maui
Python

Meta Orion is Meta's first pair of augmented reality (AR) glasses, which features intuitive gesture control through an electromyography (EMG) wristband, allowing users to interact seamlessly with digital content using subtle hand movements. This recurring prototype research maintains until consumer product line launches in the near future

Outcome

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Scope

Enhance Product Reliability: Iterate the product research to learn and optimize input performance and user experience towards consumer product line that is planned to be shipped in the near future
Elevate Orion Interaction Models: Evaluate the user experience of revised interaction models for completing core tasks against previous models to measure progress and identify gaps
UX and Visual Design Overhaul: Address visual consistency issues, improve adherence to Meta brand guidelines, and apply UX principles to create a cohesive and user-friendly experience across the platform

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Discovery

Usability Testings: Conducted an evaluation of updated input & interaction models on end users, identifying key issues such as input unreliability, visual inconsistency in UI, and steep learning curve
User Interviews: Conducted interviews with the end users to understand their expectations and pain points of using Orion, revealing a disconnect between current visualizations and their actual needs
Defined Success Metrics: Established baseline metrics for evaluating the success of the new capability in terms of input reliability, efficiency, and user satisfaction

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Impact

Improved Usability: Integrated updated input models and operating system UI, leading to a 14% increase in tasks success rate.
Enhanced User Productivity: Achieved targets with a 15% reduction in time spent completing tasks.
Positive Reception: Prototype demos were highly appreciated by both internal and external stakeholders

Takeaways

Conducting research on emerging technologies revealed both the potential and challenges of designing for future use cases

I gained valuable insights into the potential and challenges of designing for emerging technologies. Since augmented reality is still evolving, I adopted a flexible and exploratory approach to understand user expectations in unfamiliar environments. This process highlighted the importance of intuitive design to reduce friction and the need for continuous iteration as the technology matures, reinforcing the value of foresight in user experience.
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In addition, to create impact as a researcher, combining different types of data to validate the findings can make the story more persuasive. Not only the quotes from user interviews, the user log, and their feedback are all resources for researcher.

Be intentional with the feedback you seek

I was fortunate to have a very supportive mentor, manager, and fellow researchers who provided valuable feedback throughout this project. However, because our meeting time was limited, it was crucial for me to clearly outline my objectives and the specific feedback I needed at the start of each session. This approach made our meetings more efficient and productive for both sides.

Cross-functional collaboration is the key to move the project forward

Communicating frequently with cross-functional team members helps us gather deeper context and insights into the project's problem space. Regular syncs are crucial for maintaining alignment, especially when addressing challenges at a system-wide level.