Abstract
Nowadays, the number and specifications for premium vehicle requirements have continuously been increasing. These requirements are involved with both customer and technical requirements. Design, functionality and ergonomics are the major criteria for the purchase decision besides dynamic, sportiveness, speed or power. In the field of ergonomics, the following three main objectives (1) should be considered:
1. Comfort
2. Efficiency in terms of a) Production b) Physiology c) Cognition
3. Well-being
The theme of "well being" can be divided into several points. One of the most important matters concerns “the feeling of spatial atmosphere” or “the sense of space” for the occupants inside the vehicles. Driver and passengers should have a positive experience of space inside the vehicle more than a general car interior. There are many factors, which can influence the sense of space inside the vehicle. For example, geometry and size, light exposure, ambient lights, colors, material selections, and material surface can highly influence the sense of space. Generally human feelings are difficult to be measured, either positive or negative,. However, there is a given potential using the method of subjective evaluation. Throughout the experiments, a method of evaluation will be developed and the effect of the factors towards interior feeling will be analyzed. In this process, perception, physical and physiological aspects will be considered and knowledge from others domains will be transferred in a form of a multidisciplinary approach. The use of Computer Aided Technology is shown by Virtual Reality, CATIA V5, PCMAN and RAMSIS. As an experimental method first a psychophysical factor to determine thresholds like geometric values (head clearance, knee clearance, shoulder clearance, etc.) is chosen. The results show a good correlation between subjective evaluation and geometric values. The goal is to optimize car body concept and interior design concept to positively influence the sense of space of vehicle occupants.
Keywords: space perception, sense of space, effect of space, well being, objective evaluation of space effects