In Braunschweig, we carried out an innovative lab test with our crowdtesting service msg.passbrains, in which we were able to observe users' interactions on a smartphone in real time.

The users were exclusively students, mixed from secondary schools and high schools. This posed a number of challenges:
- Reliability: Do the users really come to the appointment?
- Concentration span: How can we maintain attention?
- Communication: How can we get even reluctant users to talk?
- Influence of adults: How do we get users to express their actual opinion instead of what they think adults want them to say?

To meet these challenges, it is important to choose suitable methods that meet the needs and abilities of the young users. These include the use of playful elements, short and varied activities and, in particular, empathetic facilitators.

Our setup was well thought out: the entrance area offered drinks and entertainment, such as foosball, for our young participants. In a moderation room, furnished with comfortable armchairs and sofa tables, the moderator and test person sat opposite each other. A small action camera, placed next to the armchair, filmed over the shoulder how the smartphone was operated - an angle that captured the smallest movement.

The recordings from the action camera and the smartphone screen were synchronized using special software and streamed side by side into the observation room. This stream could also be followed online, which made it possible to follow the test live and remotely without disturbing the test subject.

In the observation room, four observers followed the events closely, took notes and were thus able to gain valuable feedback and deep insights into user behavior.

The result? A successful smartphone lab test with young test subjects that provided us with exciting insights and valuable feedback.

Thanks to our flexible set-up, we are able to carry out this type of test at any location. We look forward to using this offer for more exciting projects in the future.