Approach

Case Study

Guidebook

About

Outcomes

These patterns translate principles into actionable design decisions.

A pattern library for designing sensing systems that are legible, controllable, verifiable, and accountable across users and contexts.
Pattern Group 01

Capability Model

What can the system do?

Pattern Group 02

Control & Overrides

How can the system be configured or constrained?

Pattern Group 03

Indication

What is the system doing right now?

Pattern Group 04

Discovery

How do I become aware of this device?

Pattern Group 05

Verification & Inspection

Can I verify and understand this device right now?

Pattern Group 06

Relational Patterns

How is responsible use shaped across people?

Pattern Group 07

Consent & Participation

How can affected users respond?

Pattern Group 08

Infrastructure & Governance

How are systems accountable beyond the interface?

Pattern Group 09

System Layer

How does it all work together?

Application Areas

We’ve used illustrative, hypothetical applications across our chapters and principles to to extract lessons and approaches that you can use in your own product development journey.

01. Additional Privacy States: Extending the “open/closed” metaphor.

Robots, such as Amazon’s domestic robot Astro, would benefit from inclusive indication systems

02. Conventional smart cameras  

Smart cameras are used in many contexts beyond the home, such as small businesses, caregiving, and public spaces. When combined with Beacons or Shareable Mode Guides, inclusive indicators can provide workers, clients, patrons, and citizens improved peace of mind.

03. Mixed reality and spatial computing

Products, such as Apple’s Vision Pro, might employ Arca-like indicators to communicate with adjacent users.

04. Wearables and generative AI applications,

Wearables and generative AI applications, such as the Humane AI Pin, could increase trust with modes similar to Strong Privacy to protect users from “always on” microphone and camera sensing.

Design Principles

01

Bounded Capability

Define and enforce clear limits on sensing capabilities
02

Legible Indication

Make system state visible and understandable
03

Verifiable State

Enable independent verification of system states
04

Multi-User Accountability

Ensure accountability to affected users
05

Controllable Sensing

Provide meaningful control over sensing

Resources