Background
A major home-appliance manufacturer planned to develop a multi-purpose thermometer with special features for use in the oven, on the cooktop and on a barbecue, supported by an app that also communicates with the appliances. The goal was to find out whether to pursue the concept further and, if so, which mounting solutions to recommend.
Approach
We ran 11 one-on-one sessions of 75 minutes with the target group (users and non-users of cooking probes who own an induction cooktop and cook regularly). Each qualitative session combined task-based observation with explorative interviewing: participants interacted with a cooktop mock-up, printed display and app screenshots, and physical prototypes of the probe and several mounting solutions across realistic cooking scenarios, then rated, ranked and priced the concept and named likes and dislikes.
Outcome
The study confirmed a clear benefit, reliable results and the ability to hand over temperature control while keeping oversight via app or cooktop and surfaced four distinct user types. It produced a clear preference ranking of the mounting solutions and concrete guidance for the next development steps. The client gained a solid basis for the go/no-go decision and further development.
Method
Usability test, qualitative interview, task-based observation
Duration
1 month
Home appliances
Concept Test for a Wireless Cooking Probe
More Case Studies
