Abstract
Keywords -touch screen, multi functional system, lane change test, haptic feedback, auditory feedback
The increasing complexity of multi-function integrated systems in vehicles mandates the necessity for human-centred solutions to enable easy interactions with the systems. One proposal to increase the system´s usability and to allow the driver to focus his attention on the road is to integrate enhanced feedback solutions into touch screens. Additional feedback on operations may offer a means to reduce driver distraction. Presented here are results from two usability studies investigating a) consumer preferences for enhanced feedback solutions and b) consumer preferences and driving performance when using a touch screen while performing a simulated driving task. Both studies were performed in the U.S. and in Germany to examine for regional preferences. In both studies, test conditions included four types of feedback (visual, auditory-visual, haptic-visual, and a combined auditory-haptic-visual feedback). Results suggest that there is significant opportunity to enhance user experience and consumer´s quality perception of a system through the use of enhanced feedback solutions; especially haptic feedback. In addition, some indications were found for the enhanced feedback´s impact on improved driving performance.