ABSTRACT

User-centered design (UCD) focuses on the needs and requirements of targeted users while developing assistive technology. Early inclusion of end-users may help to overcome the translational gap between BCI development and actual deployment by end-users. Despite its potential, the UCD is hardly followed in applied BCI research. In our book chapter, we describe how to implement the UCD in BCI studies, define usability, and how to incorporate evaluation as one component of the UCD. Different metrics to measure usability, that is, effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction, are readily available and should be regularly applied. To address specific BCI-controlled applications, new usability metrics can be easily integrated. We emphasize the importance to deliberately choose and define a BCI end-user group and to realize long-term field studies. Some exemplary studies with diverse clientele are presented as examples of successful UCD implementation in a BCI context.