Yes — researchers want participants for a smart-appliance usability study. A usability study asks real users to try products and report problems so makers can improve them. The lead opportunity comes from the University at Buffalo IDEA Center. Its team is testing seven commercial smart-home products controlled by voice or phone app, according to the Buffalo usability testing notice.
Official resources:
- Read the official guidance from Dhs — Use this primary source to verify the official guidance.
- Read the official guidance from Buffalo — Use this primary source to verify the official guidance.
Table of Contents
- Who can volunteer?
- What will you test?
- Where do sessions happen and how do you apply?
- Are there other smart-home studies?
Who can volunteer?
The Buffalo study invites several adult groups. They include adult wheelchair users, adults with vision impairment, adults over 65, therapists, and other adults. Use this quick check before you contact the lab: The University at Buffalo IDEA Center says volunteers spend about 2.5 hours doing tasks and answering usability questions.
- adult wheelchair user
- adult with vision impairment
- adult over 65
- therapist or other adult interested in smart-home tasks
What will you test?
You will try everyday smart-home products with voice or phone-app controls. Listed examples include a voice assistant, video doorbell, robot vacuum, tracker, and smart plug.
Sessions focus on practical use, not technical skill. You complete set tasks, then answer questions about what worked and what confused you. Federal customer-experience guidance from the Department of Homeland Security says this kind of early usability testing validates user needs and saves time and rework, as explained in the federal usability testing overview.
Where do sessions happen and how do you apply?
Sessions take place at University at Buffalo South Campus. The Buffalo notice says "We are still recruiting" volunteers.
To volunteer, email [email protected] or call (716)-829-5922. Mention which eligibility group fits you and your availability for a 2.5-hour session.
Are there other smart-home studies?
Yes. Washington State University recruited adults over age 50 for a smart-home study focused on older adults, according to Pullman Radio reporting. UC Davis researchers also tested two thermostat hardware prototypes and one smartphone app for intelligent HVAC controls in affordable-housing communities.
These projects show testing goes beyond one lab. A national appliance study based on 21,590 randomly emailed surveys from July 2025–June 2026 measures household-appliance satisfaction, according to the national appliance satisfaction release. Postings from 2019–2024 may now be closed, so contact the lab first to confirm current openings.
