User Frustration: Shaping the Experience of Automotive and Computing

Digital technology plays a significant role in our daily lives, serving as both a useful tool and a source of frustration. While previous research has focused on improving usability by studying user intentions and experiences with digital technology, little attention has been given to the impact of user frustration on psychological well-being. This study aimed to explore the relationship between user frustration and the user experience with digital technology with focus on automotive and computing technology.We conducted a questionnaire-based study among 134 users in New Zealand to assess their feelings about their experiences with different types of digital technology when the digital technology did not meet their expectations. Our findings indicate that digital technology that is frustrating to use or performs below user expectations leads to negative feelings among users. These negative feelings can have a significant impact on the user’s well-being, which should be considered when designing the digital technology.Our study highlights the importance of considering user frustration in improving the interaction experience and user wellbeing. We recommend that designers focus on not only improving the usability of digital technology but also ensuring that users have a positive experience when using digital technology. By doing so, we can create digital technology that not only meets user needs but also contributes positively to their well-being.