This blog post from UX Magazine outlines some UX predictions for 2015. Amongst the predictions is a rise in “Slippy” UX, ie. designing non-distracting interfaces with glance-ability in mind, for use in potentially high-stress situations such as driving.
Despite the silly name, Slippy UX makes sense. Using home automation as an example, nobody would want a house that is constantly interrupting them. It’s the opposite, “a truly successful connected home would operate without even being seen. Once set up, it would deliver seamless service and an experience that enhances other, analog activities: laundry, sleeping, comfort, conversation”.
Wearable device UX design will also likely follow this pattern as screens get smaller/disappear completely. Our reliance will shift toward non-graphical UI such as auditory and haptic interactions. As this study points out, the development of graphical user interfaces is a well-studied and understood area but most people are much less familiar with the specialised constraints and opportunities inherent in the use of the haptic and auditory senses for human-computer interaction. It will be an interesting and exciting challenge for UX designers!