In-Vehicle Driver UX

Individual Project

2023

SUITE

The advanced UI/Tangible system for the optimal driving experience

Data shows that current touch screens are proving to be a problem and making the roads even more unsafe. Time-on-task when using touch screens is longer, therefore making drivers’ response times slower. We cannot multitask, which in turn means we cannot look at and use a screen while also driving safely.

I wanted to discover the optimal combination of physical and digital controls that provided the ideal experience for drivers through user-centered research.

About Project

Virtually every modern car has some form of touch screen that houses most of the functions that the driver performs while driving. These functions often require many steps to accomplish, causing the driver to have to look at the screen and away from the road. Some cars are now touch screen-only, meaning there are no physical buttons or knobs.

There are three types of interactions, safety, primary, and secondary. Safety interactions are those that the driver uses to safely drive the car. Primary interactions refer to the interactions that the driver frequently performs. Secondary interactions are the interactions that the driver still uses, but generally infrequently

Insights from the primary research indicated that the ideal solution could differ based on users, situations, and type of interactions. A configurable solution would be what is needed.

An anonymous survey was created to gather more data on the needs and wants of users. Results showed that users like the idea of a split model of some physical buttons and knobs, such as climate control and steering wheel controls, and some touch screen functions.

Primary Research

Three interviews were done where the interviewee was asked about their car’s configuration of physical buttons and touch screen. Questions on what they liked or disliked, how they went about doing normal tasks, and what they wanted were asked during the interview.

Through user-research based design, I wanted drivers to achieve the best in-vehicle user experience of safely and effectively performing different functions to operate the vehicle and its features with an integrated UI and tangible system that provides safety, efficiency, ease-of-access and elegance.

S

UI

T

E

afety

angible

fficiency, ease-of-access, elegance

Hardware controls are safety, primary and climate interactions. Digital controls are secondary interactions, and infotainment like navigation

Personas

Scenarios

Hi-Fi Prototype Screens

Final Prototype

User Testing

User testing was done with a simple cardboard mockup and a working tablet. Feedback consisted of improvement of colors, shapes, additional or modified functions, and ways to make the prototype more consistent and functional.

All Screens

One minute product introduction

Scenarios with Final Prototype

Scenario 1 – Primary Interaction – Hardware Controls

Justin increases the music volume by either turning the volume knob on the center stack or pressing a button on the steering wheel.

Justin

Scenario 2 – Infotainment – Digital Controls

While parked, Justin chooses which music streaming service to play on the road

Scenario 3 – Climate – Hardware Controls

Justin increases the music volume by either turning the volume knob on the center stack or pressing a button on the steering wheel.

Alecia

Scenario 1 – Primary Interaction – Hardware Controls

While driving, Alicia receives an incoming call and answers by pressing a button on the steering wheel. She ends the call by pressing a similar button on the steering wheel. Alicia makes a call by using the voice control button on the steering wheel.

Scenario 3 – Secondary Interaction – Digital Controls

While parked, Alicia turns on the seat warmers and adjusts the temperature.

Richard

Scenario 1 – Safety – Hardware Controls

Richard is driving in heavy rain and turns the windshield wiper lever to the desired speed. He then pushes the hazards button to the side of the steering wheel to make his car more visible

Scenario 2 – Secondary Interaction – Digital Controls

Richard can’t check the tire pressure on his own anymore because of his bad knees, so he checks each tire’s pressure on the touch screen on the center stack.

Scenario 3 – Climate – Hardware Controls

Richard is cold while driving. He reaches for the temperature control button/knob and turns it to heat. He turns the fan knob to his desire.

Scenario 2 – Infotainment – Digital Controls

While parked, Alicia puts the address into the maps.

Configurable Design

The screen is able to slide and hide the physical climate control knobs should the driver prefer to use the touch screen for those functions. This is how a configurable solution can provide the optimal experience for every type of driver.

Four minute product introduction