Abstract
The pervasiveness of computer technology has saturated daily living in such forms as ATMs, telephone services, and most recently in the form of automated checkout machines (ACMs) at grocery stores. While technological advancements are multiplying rapidly, so is the mean age of the U.S. population. It is important that designers of automated devices consider that the diverse population of users of automated systems includes the elderly. In an effort to investigate how an older adult interacts with automation in an everyday life-event, a case study was performed of an elderly female while she interacted with an automated checkout machine at a local grocery store. A comparison of the system's components to human factors guidelines, as well as suggestions for system redesigns, are presented. In addition, feedback was obtained from the user on the system's ease of use.
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