Although similar in name to cultural probes, technology probes are significantly different. They are mock-ups that simulate the user experience of interacting with the proposed solution. They address the problem of users not understanding new technologies or novel solutions to existing problems.
As Alan Dix: Author of the bestselling book “Human-Computer Interaction” and Director of the Computational Foundry at Swansea University suggests in the video, anything that helps to show users what a new solution looks like and how it might work is a technology probe. This could be something as simple as a paper prototype. For screen-based technologies such as mobile apps or websites, a crude mock-up might suffice. However, in the realm of physical devices, we are less concerned with appearances as long as the means or concepts of the interactions are similar. So, we often combine existing technologies in an ad-hoc approximation of a proposed solution.
While a simple prototype can act as a technology probe, there are important differences.
© Interaction Design Foundation, CC BY-SA 3.0
In their 2003 case study of using technology probes with families, Hilary Hutchinson, Ben Bederson and colleagues (see Learn More About Technology Probes) identified four differences between the probes and more fully-featured functional prototypes:
Functionality: While prototypes are often created to assess a wide range of needs, technology probes should be relatively simple. The authors suggest a single purpose and a small number of simple functions.
Usability: The primary purpose of technology probes is to gain understanding of users and how well the proposed solution addresses their needs. Usability is not a primary concern unless it severely impacts the usefulness of the probes. In contrast, prototypes are often seen as an opportunity to refine interaction and user experience. Indeed, it is very likely that successful technology probes are eventually developed into more complete prototypes, but the two artifacts have different purposes.
Logging: Technology probes can collect data about participants’ interactions. In their study, the authors were interested in relationships within the family. The data was also used as a source of new ideas for further development. Prototypes can also collect data, but this isn’t their main purpose and in many cases data collection is limited to usability (effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction).
Flexibility: Researchers should not be prescriptive about the ways in which probes are used. Participants should be encouraged to experiment and explore. In contrast, prototypes are usually very specific in their purpose and usage.
Design Phase: Probes are a research tool for the design phase. While some forms of prototype are used in early design – paper prototypes, for example – most functional prototypes feature in the later stages of design and development.
Technology probe for office/meeting room message pad (Alan Dix)
© Interaction Design Foundation, CC BY-SA 3.0
Technology probes are most effective in novel application areas. Examples would include new technologies, new problem domains or new approaches in existing problem domains. The primary indicator for appropriate use is one where users find it difficult to envisage or understand either the application area itself or the proposed solution.
They can also be used as a research tool where a specific solution has not been proposed. Participants could be asked to interact with a probe in connection with one or more events, and the details of those interactions could inform the design discussion.
To summarize,
Use technology probes in novel application areas.
Use them early.
For “active” probes, make sure they can provide you with useful data.
Don’t confuse probes with prototypes – they have different purposes.
User Research: Simply exploring users’ needs and behaviors – or observing users in situ – may be all that is required. If users suggest that they need a specific solution, find out why that is. If they find it too difficult to articulate a need, further in-depth research may be required. Consider probes if issues remain unresolved.
Prototypes and Wireframes: As discussed earlier, prototypes and technology probes overlap in some areas. In existing application areas, the use of probes may not be particularly beneficial. Create prototypes or wireframes to evaluate more complete designs. Consider paper prototyping for early-design testing.
First-click Testing: This is similar in concept to prototyping but focuses specifically on the question of what users should do given a specific scenario. An image of the device or screen is shown to participants along with a brief scenario. The online testing tool records where users clicked and whether it was within a designated area.
Applying technology probes with older users (PDF).
Detailed paper on the use of technology probes with families.
Technology probes help designers observe how users interact with new technologies in natural environments. Designers deploy these simple, functional prototypes not necessarily to test usability, but to spark engagement, collect real-world data, and inspire ideas. These probes uncover how users adapt technology, the values they assign to it, and the challenges they face, all insights that lab studies often miss.
By analyzing the data—photos, usage logs, or user reflections—designers can identify patterns in user behavior and needs. For example, a probe might reveal how a household shares devices or how users improvise functions. These findings would then guide more user-centered innovations.
Uncover essential insights about usability to learn how it’s a vital ingredient in any design.
Technology probes differ from prototypes and MVPs (Minimum Viable Products) in purpose, design, and use. Designers create technology probes to explore user behavior and inspire new design ideas, not necessarily to test product performance or usability. Unlike prototypes, which often validate specific functions, or MVPs, which deliver a working product to test market fit, technology probes prioritize learning over performance.
A technology probe helps designers collect qualitative insights by being placed in real-life settings. It encourages users to interact naturally, revealing needs and behaviors designers may not predict—especially important wherever new technologies are concerned. For example, a probe might log how a family shares a digital calendar, uncovering unexpected collaboration habits. In contrast, prototypes and MVPs aim to refine or sell a solution, not explore open-ended possibilities.
Discover why, for many organizations, MVPs serve a purpose along those lines by being out there for users to enjoy the brand experience, in our article Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and Design - Balancing Risk to Gain Reward.
Technology probes help designers explore unknown user needs by sparking natural interactions in real-life contexts. Unlike many traditional research tools, probes don’t limit users to predefined tasks. Instead, they invite experimentation and improvisation, allowing designers to uncover unexpected behaviors, unmet needs, and hidden pain points.
When designers place probes in users’ environments, they observe how people adapt, misuse, or reimagine the technology. These interactions often reveal deeper motivations or problems users haven’t verbalized. For instance, a probe designed to log family communication might expose overlooked routines or emotional needs. This discovery process leads to richer insights and more meaningful design opportunities.
Get a greater grasp of what “traditional” user research involves and how to apply various methods appropriately and effectively.
To design an effective technology probe, begin by defining your research goal: What user behaviors, routines, or environments do you want to explore? Next, build a simple, functional probe that invites open-ended use. The goal isn’t to impress with fancy refinements and polish, but to provoke real-world interaction and reflection.
Good probes spark curiosity and adaptability. They should log meaningful data (like timestamps, user inputs, or photos) and include prompts that encourage users to share their thoughts. Keep the setup minimally invasive so users feel comfortable using the probe in their natural setting. For example, a low-fidelity smart mirror could record daily interactions and ask users how it fits their routine.
Most importantly, design the probe to inspire interaction, not dictate it.
Open the lid on user behavior to understand important aspects of what to look out for when researching users.
A well-crafted technology probe should include three core elements: a functional prototype, data collection mechanisms, and reflection prompts. First, ensure the prototype offers just enough functionality to invite real-world interaction. It doesn’t need to be refined—it needs to be engaging and usable in context.
Second, embed ways to capture usage data. This might include usage logs, photos, timestamps, or interaction histories. These data points reveal patterns and behaviors that users might not articulate directly. Third, add prompts—such as journals, surveys, or simple questions—that encourage users to reflect on their experience. Much like what effective ethnographic research can yield, this combination of behavioral and reflective data helps uncover both what users do and why.
Explore how ethnographic research helps designers guide better design decisions.
A technology probe should lean toward simplicity. Designers create these probes not to showcase advanced features, but to spark natural use and exploration. Keeping the design simple ensures users can focus on their own goals, not on figuring out how the probe works.
The probe needs to be functional enough to enable meaningful interaction, but minimal enough to avoid guiding or limiting user behavior. For example, a basic voice recorder app used in a shared space can reveal communication patterns without influencing how people talk. Complexity is something designers might add later, once they understand users’ needs more deeply.
Simple designs reduce technical issues, too, and make it easier to deploy probes in varied, real-world settings.
Secure a straightforward grip on the power of a simple approach in our article Simplicity in Design: 4 Ways to Achieve Simplicity in Your Designs.
Use a technology probe early in the UX design process, specifically during the exploratory research phase. Designers deploy probes when they want to uncover user behaviors, contexts, and latent needs that “traditional” approaches like interviews or surveys might miss. At this stage, the goal is not necessarily to test usability or market fit; it is to learn how users naturally engage with a concept in their environment.
A well-timed probe helps generate user-driven ideas before a designer commits to wireframes or higher-fidelity prototypes. For instance, placing a basic digital scheduler in a home might reveal unexpected family coordination habits that could guide future design. This rich, contextual insight grounds the rest of the design process in real-world behavior.
Discover how well-designed surveys can complement research into users and their world.
Leave a technology probe with users long enough to observe meaningful behavior, but not so long that it blends into the background. Typically, 3 to 14 days strikes the right balance—a window that lets users integrate the probe into their daily routines and reveal natural patterns or unexpected behaviors.
Shorter durations may only capture first impressions, while longer periods risk diminishing user engagement or overwhelming them with data-collection tasks. The ideal length depends on the probe’s purpose and the complexity of the context. For example, a smart journal probe in a shared workspace might need just a week to uncover usage rhythms, whereas a family-focused tool may require two weeks to harvest insights that are to be of use to a designer.
It’s wise to plan a midpoint check-in to ensure the probe still prompts interaction.
Learn how some longer-term-study tech probes share a common point with another valuable type of probe—cultural probes—when it comes to time factors.
To collect useful feedback from a technology probe, combine passive data logging with active user reflection. First, design the probe to automatically capture key behaviors—such as usage frequency, interaction paths, or context-specific data like location or time. This objective data reveals what users actually do.
Next, prompt users to share their thoughts. Use short surveys, guided journals, or interviews to ask open-ended questions about their experiences. Encourage them to note surprises, frustrations, or workarounds. These reflections add emotional depth and uncover needs users might not express directly.
Journey further into the power of journaling for data capture with diary studies in our article 3 Niche Research Techniques You Might Want to Use on Your UX Project.
Common mistakes with technology probes include overengineering, leading user behavior, and poor data planning. Designers often end up adding too many features, which confuses users and shifts focus from exploration to functionality, so keep the probe simple and purpose-driven.
Another mistake is designing the probe to confirm assumptions. Instead, let users interact freely to uncover unexpected insights. Avoid rigid tasks or overly guided interactions that constrain natural behavior. Also, failing to plan for data collection weakens results. Probes need clear mechanisms for capturing both usage patterns and user reflections.
Last, but not least, neglecting to prepare users—through onboarding or ethical consent—can result in low engagement or skewed feedback.
Beware the invisible “lure” of assumptions and what they can do to designs.
Yes, you should explain the purpose of the technology probe to users—but carefully. Provide enough context to gain informed consent and build trust, but don’t over-explain the goals, which might bias behavior. Tell users that the probe explores how they interact with a tool in their daily life, and that their input will guide future designs.
Avoid stating specific hypotheses or expected outcomes. Instead, emphasize that there are no right or wrong ways to use the probe. This approach encourages natural interaction and richer data. Moreover, ensure users understand how their data will be collected and used, respecting privacy and ethics.
Clear, neutral onboarding boosts engagement and improves the quality of insights.
Beware of bias in design—another difficult hazard to spot and well worth minimizing.
GeeksforGeeks. (2024, March 14). What are technology probes? GeeksforGeeks Techtips. Retrieved July 17, 2025, from https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/techtips/what-are-technology-probes/
This post offers a concise, practical overview of technology probes as tools for early-stage design research in HCI. It emphasizes how probes help gather behavioral insights, engage users in co‑creation, and support iterative exploration—key practical uses for UX designers. The blog includes examples like voice recorders and smart‑home control cards demonstrating how simple artifacts reveal preferences and prompt design dialogue. It effectively distinguishes probes from traditional prototypes by focusing on experiential data collection rather than usability testing. Overall, it is a handy reference for UX teams needing an accessible introduction to employing technology probes in practice.
Hutchinson, H., Mackay, W., Westerlund, B., Bederson, B. B., Druin, A., Plaisant, C., Beaudouin-Lafon, M., Conversy, S., Evans, H., Hansen, H., Roussel, N., & Eiderbäck, B. (2003). Technology probes: Inspiring design for and with families. Proceedings of the SIGCHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, 17–24.
This influential paper introduces the concept of technology probes, a hybrid tool blending sociological research, technology testing, and design inspiration. Through deployments in real households, the study demonstrates how simple prototypes—designed more to explore and provoke than to evaluate—can generate rich contextual data and spark user-driven design innovation. For UX designers, the method offers a low-cost, high-insight approach to early-stage ideation and field exploration. Its practical value lies in its adaptability: probes are intentionally unfinished, encouraging user reinterpretation and emotional responses. This paper remains a cornerstone for UX professionals seeking human-centered tools to uncover latent needs and co-create with users in real-world contexts.
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