A human factors approach to a smart stovetop and oven, designed to be a safer and more intuitive design.

Performance Limits And Capabilities

Visual Search: Finding the controls

  • controls need to be salient and discriminable 

  • visual acuity (Lee et al, 2017)

    • text size should range between 0.2° and 3.0°

    • reading speed declines sharply below the critical print size (CPS) of 0.2°

Working Memory: Comprehension of system feedback, confirmation of system states, using oven and stove at the same time

  • can hold only 4 chunks of information for 15-30 seconds (Cowan, 2002; Lee et al, 2017)

  • availability and type of attention: if the activity toward which resources are diverted uses similar material, the added confusion may be particularly lethal to the contents of working memory (Lee et al, 2017)

Long-Term Memory: Remembering desired temperatures and ingredients

  • memory retrieval can fail because of weak strength due to low frequency or recency (Lee et al, 2017)

  • habit formation due to repeating a task (Neal et al, 2006; Wood and Neal, 2009)

Prospective Memory: Remembering to turn off oven and stove

  • forgetting to do something in the future (Dismukes, 2012; Harris and Wilkins, 1982)

Standards And Regulations

  • 2013 NFPA 17A 5.2.1 - Automatic and manual methods of actuation required: All systems shall have both automatic and manual methods of actuation.

  • 2014 NFPA 96 8.2.2.1 - Proper air flow: Exhaust air volumes for hoods shall be of a sufficient level to provide for capture and removal of grease-laden cooking vapors. 

  • 2014 NFPA 96 8.2.3.3 - Exhaust fan is activated automatically: The exhaust fan shall be provided with a means so that the fan is activated when any appliance under the hood is turned on. 

  • ADA 804.6.4 Range or Cooktop. Where a forward approach is provided, the clear floor or ground space shall provide knee and toe clearance complying with 306. Where knee and toe space is provided, the underside of the range or cooktop shall be insulated or otherwise configured to prevent burns, abrasions, or electrical shock. The location of controls shall not require reaching across burners.

  • ADA 804.6.5.3 Controls. Ovens shall have controls on front panels.

  • ISO 9241-11 defines usability as “the extent to which a product can be used by specified users to achieve specific goals with effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction in a specified context of use” 

  • UL858, the Standard for Household Electric Ranges, helps the outside of ovens stay much cooler than the inside during operation.  During normal operation, the surfaces may not exceed 59°C (106°F) on bare or painted metal, or 75°C (135°F) on plastic. Likewise, handles and knobs may not exceed 42°C (76°F) on metal, or 58°C (104°F) on plastic.