Improving Automobile Driver Safety and Experience when Performing a Tertiary Task using Visual, Hands- free and Gestural-based Interfaces

Automobile manufacturers are constantly trying to keep up with current technology trends and respond to today’s societal challenges. Cars have become more than just a means for transportation, they are now a fully embedded technological ‘multifunctional living space’. The increased complexity of automotive user interfaces, driven by the need for using consumer electronic devices in cars as well as improving comfort, and the overall user/driver experience, has sparked a range of new research within this field of study. The number of infotainment functions (controlled as tertiary tasks) with which a user can interact while driving has greatly increased, making the primary task of driving even more challenging. In creating a better automotive user experience, automobile manufacturers have unintentionally increased the cognitive load of the driver when they are performing these tertiary tasks. This research study aims to reduce the cognitive load of the driver/user by suggesting novel, simple menu design interfaces, which add design improvements in two function aspects (entertainment and comfort) by implementing visual, hands-free and gestural based interfaces. This research study will add to the body of literature aimed at improving driver safety and driving experience while performing a tertiary task.