Some users were able to understand how the system worked overall, but there was confusion around the IR sensor. A few people tried to press it like a physical button, and they were unsure how hard to press, how close their hand should be, or how many fingers to use. I think this confusion happened because they interpreted it as a button rather than a proximity sensor, so the mapping between the control and the action wasn’t immediately clear.
Despite that, most users understood the general flow of the experience and were able to move between interacting with the machine and observing the outcome. One part that worked especially well was the portion size. The amount of pet food dispensed felt accurate, and the servo motor’s opening and closing motion was smooth and consistent. However, there was a small issue where some pieces of pet food would fly out from the sides, which could be improved with better containment.
The main part I had to explain was how to use the IR sensor properly. For one user, I also had to point out that they needed to place the bowl under the dispenser, even though there was a visual instruction. This might have been specific to that user, but it suggests that the instructions could be made more noticeable or clearer for first-time users.