UX evaluation of a new rowing ergometer: The case study of the technogym “SkillRow”

The product falls within the research area Ergonomics in Design. In particular, the methodological approach of Human-centred Design and User Experience are here applied to demonstrate its efficacy in defining the current levels of usability and experience of use of rowing “Skillirow”. To this aim, a workshop “UX Skillrow Evaluation” was organized by Laboratory of Ergonomics for Design (LED) in collaboration with Technogym Spa, a leading-edge company that develops fitness equipment for any physical activity. In the initial testing phase usability and user experience (phase 1: UX evaluation) of rowing Skillrow and its user interfaces were assessed. Afterwards, to identify the potential of the Skillrow, project proposals, brainstorming and focus group activities were conducted. During testing twenty-one users participated, aged between 22 and 30. The research goals were: measurements of current usability level and user experience of product system interfaces, and definition of critical issues and implementation of the current user interfaces. The results from the evaluation phases allowed to get qualitative data on the levels of effective usability of the product, the components, and its graphic interface. In the form of scenario-based design, solutions to improve the current high levels of usability of the user interface were also developed. Lastly, it was possible to define a protocol for evaluating usability and user experience, which will make it possible to replicate the analysis model on similar product categories.