Confessions of Indian — Voice Interaction Design

Good Morning, Alexa, I wished her, she replied Good Morning Saif and gave me the news of the day, traffic to the office and the weather.

I’m not going to talk about how human-computer interaction has evolved or give you some UX related history or analysis. I’m here to share the ground reality of how I’ve experienced it in my daily life.

My mom heard me interacting with Alexa and she looked at me and Alexa. I gave her a smart Ironmans look hinting her at how smart this technology is, my mom said why can’t you call her “Alia” instead. I and mom exchanged looks for a minute… an awkward silence. I knew that she wanted Alia because it sounds rather muslimy. I laughed at her innocence and she did at my technology.

I then checked my smartwatch and saw that my heart rate is high which reminded me of my happy spicy and salty biryani heavy meal that I had last night. I asked Alexa what is the normal heart rate? She said my heart beats for you Saif. I repeated and repeated only to end up frustrated. My mom looked at me again and laughed at my struggle. I thought to myself “Daamn how she hates technology and why does she want to change Alexa to a Muslim” She was so desperate to change Alexa to a Muslim that she even attempted to make it read some quranic versus so that she can become a Muslim girl.

On a Sunday eve, I was excited to try a new game on my VR headset. I switched on my game and into the game for 10 mins, the game involved a bit of leg movement so I tried it. Another 10 mins into the game, my wife realized that I was about to go on the street, my wife literally pulled my VR set off of my eyes and said listen you’ve gone crazy with all your smart computer stuff, you’ve been talking to yourself, in your pajamas and about to be on the road!! it sounded like she was hinting towards a divorce :O I hope not. I said okay no gaming no divorce.

I switched on smart Android TV….half-hour into browsing, don’t know and can’t find what I’m looking for, then I saw that cute little icon that said would you like to try voice search? I looked around saw that my wife and mom are busy in the kitchen, I gave an evil laugh to myself and hit the voice button and said…..play “shape of you” it said do you mean play eff you? I said arreey play shape of you baba and hit the play button hard, It started playing Shape of you featuring Ramdev baba yoga dance. My mom and my wife burst out laughing looking at what I’m watching. After watching Ramdev baba dance to the shape of you. I seriously think human-computer fancy interaction is better off in the movies, comics, and the fancy medium articles.

It is a weird time in history to live in. At one end computers are growing smarter and smarter as we interact with them. Some say that the day where the smart computers ruling our lives is not far away. The other end people are still struggling with the basics of human challenges like religion, relationships and boredom and end up watching Ramdev babas remix of shape of you.

Are computers really changing the future? Even if computers are trying to benefit us, is it us who are not allowing the technology to change our lives? I leave it unto you to decide.

As a UX designer, I respect the hard work that goes into designing experiences and in no way disrespect HCI, I only think we are not there yet. Not for us Indian moms for sure :D I won’t be surprised if my mom makes Alexa her tea coaster or a Pan Dabba keeper if I buy her one.

(This article is simply fun intended of some situations I’ve encountered using virtual or smart assistants, no way are intended to hurt anyone’s sentiments)

Glad you stopped by to check out my article, I’m Saif, a UX & Product designer interested in human-computer interaction, psychology, and design. Sci-fi movies and tea get me excited. More about me here