ABSTRACT
Smart speakers have become one of the fastest growing smart devices in the current consumer electronics market after smartphones and smart watches. It is a smart device with elements of communication and home appliances and encompasses both product categories. It has immense potential for generating profits for companies. This research integrates the needs of consumers, consumer demand theories, and product design experience for the development of five principal dimensions to explore the evaluation models for designing smart speakers. They include styling elements, styling imagery, attractiveness, added value, and functional attributes.
The questionnaire for this research was distributed to 16 experts who have expertise in different areas, such as consumer electronics industry, R&D engineers, and project managers. We use the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to create a structure for the design of smart speakers. It includes (1) setting the sequence of priorities for developing design elements of smart speakers and (2) setting the weight of each dimension that corresponds to the criteria.
The results of the research show that among the five principal dimensions, the functional attributes are the first priority for development. The design elements for the prioritized development of the criteria for each of the five principal dimensions are as follows. (1) For styling elements, it is the format of composition. (2) For styling imagery, it is the high-tech feel. (3) For attractiveness, it is the semantic attraction. (4) For added value, it is pop culture. (5) For functional attributes, it is high-quality music playback. The research provides an evaluation model for future smart speaker design.
