Exploring Ergonomics, Accessibility, and User-Centered Design in Roku Remotes

Roku Remote Redefined: Hardware Analysis

COMPANY

Personal Project

ROLE

Product Designer

Duration

8 min

Project description

The Roku remote is a staple of the company’s simple, user-friendly streaming ecosystem. While it may seem like a straightforward device, its design reflects a careful balance of usability, accessibility, and cost efficiency. From its ergonomic shape to its button layout, the remote is engineered to cater to a diverse audience, including tech-savvy Gen Z users and older generations who prioritize ease of use.

This hardware analysis explores the key elements that define the Roku remote’s design, the constraints that shape its functionality, and areas where accessibility and user experience can be improved. By examining these aspects, we can better understand how Roku aligns its hardware with its mission to make streaming accessible, affordable, and intuitive for everyone.

Background


We’ve all used a TV remote at some point—whether it’s the clunky, button-heavy kind or the sleek, minimalist version. But what makes a remote truly useful?

After upgrading my TV, I noticed just how many remotes I had—one for my stereo, one for the TV, and even an Amazon Fire Stick remote. Yet, the one that stood out to me for its ease of use was the Roku remote.

Why? Its hardware is thoughtfully designed to deliver a seamless and enjoyable user experience.

Process

This section covers how I think Roku approached designing the remote. From their audience, design constraints, to product implementation, I found that understanding these factors gave me a deeper appreciation for why I enjoy using this remote.

Who are we designing for?

Roku serves a wide range of users, from young adults (18-25) to older generations (50-65). However, Gen Z stands out as the most popular demographic due to Roku’s affordability, value, and focus on streaming and on-demand content. This makes Roku the No.1 device/smart TV OS for Gen Z.

Additionally, users 50+ have driven significant growth in TV streaming since the pandemic, representing nearly 40% of streaming watch time as of May 2022 (Wall Street Journal).

How might this affect Roku's design decisions?
Gen Z

  1. Compact Size

    • A sleek, pocket-friendly design aligns with their preference for portability and modern aesthetics.

  2. Minimalist Design

    • Simplify the remote by focusing on essential buttons like navigation, volume, and app shortcuts.

  3. Mobile Integration

    • Enhance the Roku app with features like swiping gestures and text entry to cater to Gen Z's mobile-first habits.

50+ year old Users

  1. Intuitive Layout

    • Include large, tactile buttons for core functions (e.g., power, volume, home) to ensure ease of use.

  2. Ergonomic Design

    • Create a lightweight, comfortable remote with a curved or textured back to aid users with reduced grip strength.

  3. Long Battery Life

    • Design for reliability by minimizing the need for frequent battery changes.


What are our design constraints?

When designing hardware like the Roku remote, various constraints—both technical and business-related—must be considered. Factors such as regulations, deadlines, and resource allocation often shape key design decisions. Here’s how these constraints might have influenced Roku's remote design:

Design Constraints

Button Reach

  • Buttons must be easily accessible without requiring users to reposition their hands, ensuring intuitive and seamless navigation.

Handheld Comfort

  • The remote’s design must accommodate a wide range of hand sizes while remaining ergonomic and comfortable to hold.

Weight

  • A lightweight design not only prevents user fatigue but also ensures the remote fits conveniently into the compact packaging of Roku players.

Accidental Presses

  • Button overcrowding is avoided to minimize accidental presses, prioritizing a clean and functional layout.

Business Constraints

FCC Regulations

  • Roku must comply with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules regarding power levels and frequency bands to prevent interference with other devices.

Brand Partnerships

  • Deals with streaming platforms require dedicated shortcut buttons (e.g., Netflix, Hulu). These partnerships dictate button layout and limit customization options.

Low Manufacturing Costs

  • To keep products affordable, Roku must minimize production costs. This impacts material choices, button technology, and premium features like backlighting or rechargeable batteries.

Warranty Considerations

  • The remote must be durable enough to avoid frequent replacements under warranty, influencing material and component durability decisions.

By navigating these constraints, Roku has managed to deliver a remote that is ergonomic, accessible, and affordable while maintaining compatibility with its streaming ecosystem. Balancing functionality with external demands ensures the design meets the needs of users and the business alike.


How do we make sure the design supports the business?

The remote model I have is a Roku Players Remote. This remote serves as the simplest version of Roku remotes and a navigation tool for Roku’s streaming players. Being the most basic Roku remote means when designing, no additional features (voice control, volume, tv power button) are needed to ensure the business keeps the remote at a reasonable price.

This also means when designing, there should be a simple layout with main buttons like: 4 shortcut buttons, play/pause, forward & rewind, return (10sec), option, home, back, and D-pad.

When designing, it needs to have a simple layout that can be integrated to Roku’s streaming software. The design should blend seamlessly with the existing UI of the Roku’s software. This integration should be easy to follow due to familiarity and help users with cognitive load.


Solution

After understanding the potential factors that went into designing the remote, this section focuses more analysis on the physical hardware itself. From each design decision, I found that the Roku Remote was designed with intrinsic intention. My mentality for this section of analysis was: why you think it was designed the way it was?

The Materials of the Remote

The Information Hierarchy of Buttons

Forward

After understanding what makes Roku's remote have great design, my main takeaway is how can I implement this approach in other hardware products as well.

Possible Accessibility Improvements

There are only a couple suggestions I have to help improve the design of Roku's remote to be more accessible for their users. The first suggestion I would point out are raised markers on the buttons, like braille, allowing visually impaired users to be able to feel what button they are touching. Another feature to incorporate in all of Roku remotes are backlit buttons. This allows buttons and labels to be visible in low-light conditions. My final suggestion would be incorporating an adjustable grip for the remote. Offering an ergonomic design that accommodates users with arthritis or reduced grip strength, such as textured or contoured surfaces can allow users to use the remote more often. By incorporating these improvements, Roku could make its remote more inclusive and usable for a diverse audience, ensuring accessibility for users with varying needs.