Best User Interface Ever

I've just found the best user interface that has ever existed. It's a single button that does exactly what you want it do when you press it, there are just a few catches:

* You have to be a toddler
* It only works for radio controlled toys
* You have to want the toy to run around, and not particularly care where it goes.

Thankfully, this is for toddlers - who never care where a toy goes as long as it keeps going, so this is perfect!

What makes it so perfect is that the simplicity of the interface ensures that the toy basically never gets stuck in corners or under things. It transparently enforces a pattern of movement that gets you out of nearly anywhere!



So, how does it work? Well the toy only has two states

A) Going forward
B) Reversing in a clockwise circle.

If you hold down the button you go forward, once you let it go the toy reverses backwards. As a toddler this means that as long as I hold the button down (While yelling with joy) the toy goes forward, as soon as I get disappointed because it hits a wall, or wedges in a corner it reverses itself out.

In the worst situation if its really stuck I get angry because it's stuck and start pressing and then releasing the button (Which is what toddlers do by instinct) then I've done a three point turn and am out of trouble.

Best. Interface. Ever.

This interface is:
1) Appropriate to the user
2) Does what it needs to
3) Encourages the correct behavior in error situations
4) Doesn't get in the way of the experience

If I ever design a UI half as good as this for an IT system I will have done well.

This is the iPod shuffle of children's toys.

Even the device itself is simple, you can see below how the axle is housed in an arc so as long as its going forward it's straight but reversing immediately swings it around.