Gerrit Meixner

Mobile Interaction Technologies in the Factory of the Future

Abstract Current production systems become more complex. The increase of complexity is often relayed to the user interface. The transfer of new interaction techniques from the area of information and communication technology into the area of the production automation is a possibility to decrease the operating complexity. This paper introduces several demonstrators with different platforms and interaction metaphors of future interaction methods for the domain of production automation which have been researched in the SmartFactory KL .

Using Google Glass for mobile maintenance and calibration tasks in the AUDI A8 production line

The integration of new technologies in existing work tasks requires the integration of the users in all steps of the development process. In this work the human-centred design process according to the ISO 9241-210 is applied to fulfil the necessary participation of users. The Head Worn Display Glass of Google Inc. prototypically is used to improve the periodical calibration of the driver assistance system testing bay of the AUDI A8 production line. Therefore the users where observed and interviewed during the performance of the calibration and furthermore highly integrated in the iterative design process of the user interface, the human computer interaction and the program flow. At the end a final prototype could be tested.

Simulation Sickness Related to Virtual Reality Driving Simulation

This paper reports on a study regarding the conditions that reduce simulation sickness in virtual reality driving simulation. Simulation sickness in virtual reality applications is frequent and thus poses a major obstacle in obtaining data from participants involved in these simulations. Many solutions have been presented by various sources on how to reduce the occurrence of simulation sickness symptoms. Nevertheless, there is not enough evidence to back up an appropriate solution that works for the majority of simulated environments and individuals. Therefore, this work was meant to find appropriate solutions of simulation sickness related to virtual reality driving simulators with a focus on the effect of adding visual assets in the simulated environment. Initially, an online survey was performed with 31 participants in order to gather unbiased users’ experiences with driving simulation and virtual reality with regards to simulation sickness. Based on the information gathered from related works and suggestions of the online survey participants, the addition of motion cues and visual assets were identified as very essential when dealing with simulation sickness related to driving simulation. Therefore, new visual assets were added to enhance an already implemented simulator software in order to replicate a realistic traffic environment. An experiment with 72 participants was used to test eight hypotheses related to virtual reality driving simulation and simulations sickness. The results indicate that the addition of visual assets to the virtual reality driving simulator reduced the onset of simulation sickness and improved the driving session’s duration.

Generating a Personalized UI for the Car: A User-Adaptive Rendering Architecture

Personalized systems are gaining popularity in various mobile scenarios. In this work, we take on the challenges associated with the automotive domain and present a user-adaptive graphical renderer. By supporting a strictly model-based development processes, we meet the rigid requirements of the industry. The proposed architecture is based on the UIML standard and a novel rule-based adaptation framework.

Platform-Independence in Model-Driven Development of Graphical User Interfaces for Multiple Devices

We would like to encourage you to list your keywords within Model-driven development of Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) for multiple devices involves the transformation of the same platform-independent model to several platform-dependent GUI models. A clear definition of which characteristics comprise a platform is important, because the platform definition determines which characteristics must not be considered in platform-independent models. In this chapter we compare the notion of platform and the corresponding implications in two conceptual approaches that support multi-device GUI generation – the Model Driven Architecture (MDA) proposed by OMG and the Cameleon Reference Framework (CRF), a framework that has been developed to classify model-based user interface generation approaches. We discuss the relation between MDA and CRF in the context of multi-device GUI generation and illustrate their correspondence through classifying state-of-the-art GUI generation approaches. This classification also allows us to illustrate three different mechanisms for achieving multi-device GUI generation in practice.

Standardizing model-based in-vehicle infotainment development in the German automotive industry

Based on the analysis of existing HMI development processes in the automotive domain, a reference process for software engineering has been developed. This process was used to develop a domain data model and a model-based specification language in order to establish a common exchange format based on consistent domain knowledge. This approach provides a common ground for collaboration to OEMs, suppliers, and software tool developers. It also facilitates traceability from requirements and conceptual elements to concrete, specified elements using the model-based specification language.

Virtual Reality Driving Simulator Based on Head-Mounted Displays

This chapter presents the development of an innovative and interactive 3D virtual reality driving simulator based on head-mounted displays, which gives the driver a near-realistic driving experience for the development and evaluation of future automotive HMI concepts. The project explores the potentials and implementation of virtual reality in the automotive sector for the analysis of new HMI concepts and safety functions in the automotive sector. Special emphasis is laid on hazardous situations which are ethically not possible to evaluate on a real road at the early stage of the concept, when the risk involved for both the driver and the prototype, for example driver distraction and autonomous vehicle studies is not yet ascertained. The 3D virtual reality approach was meant to overcome some of the limitations of conventional 3D driving simulators, such as lack of total immersion and intuitive reaction of the test driver, necessary for an effective analysis of a particular driving situation. The sense of presence offered by virtual reality is essential for the research and evaluation of safety functions, since appropriate and reliable solutions are only possible when the problem associated with a particular traffic situation is well understood. The focus was on the following aspects: 3D modeling, correct simulation of vehicle and traffic models, and integration of a motion platform to give the feel of a real car and control devices and finally, head-up display use cases. Finally, the solutions to eliminate simulation sickness were reviewed and implemented. A prototype was developed which displays dynamic head-up-display features.

Evaluation of user interface description languages for model-based user interface development in the german automotive industry

Developing human-machine-interfaces (HMI) in the automotive industry is a time-consuming and complex task, involving different companies (car manufacturers, suppliers, translators, designers) and teams with different backgrounds. One way to improve the current problems arising from communication and documentation deficits is to formalize the specification to make it easier to read, to structure and to analyze. The project automotiveHMI aims to create a domain-specific modeling language for HMI development in the automotive industry. As part of the project, current specification processes and artifacts as well as the related roles were analyzed. During the analysis 18 criteria which should be fulfilled by a domain-specific modeling language have been identified. The criteria are used to evaluate existing modeling languages and to set objectives for the development of a new modeling language focusing the cross-company and cross-team development of model-based HMIs in the automotive industry.

Towards Seamless Mobility: Individual Mobility Profiles to Ease the Use of Shared Vehicles

Abstract The fast dissemination and increasing popularity of new mobility concepts such as car sharing reflect the change in peoples attitude towards mobility. While the demand for individual mobility is still growing, decisions about how to actually satisfy a demand for mobility are increasingly made on rather a rational than an emotional basis. Intermodality is considered to be the key to sustainable mobility. Meanwhile, car manufacturers do not miss to provide an increasing number of personalization, infotainment and connectivity features in their products (e.g., access to e-mails and social network accounts). Scenarios, in which a car providing numerous adjustable features is shared by many people with different likings and preferences, present a new type of usability challenge for the design of efficient Human-Machine-Interaction (HMI) in vehicles. In this paper we present the current state of work on a new concept to ease the HMI in case of shared vehicles. The concept is based on the platform independent modeling of user preferences to allow the automatic personalization of vehicle settings thus saving time and avoiding driver distraction.

VR Evaluation of Motion Sickness Solution in Automated Driving

The sensory conflict theory describes the occurrence of motion sickness caused by the discrepancy between the motion felt and the motion visually perceived. During driving, drivers monitor the environment while performing driving tasks, this enables them to get the visual perception of the motion felt. Visual cues help drivers to anticipate the direction of movement and thus, eliminate confusion, which could lead to anxiety, and thus motion sickness. Occupants of highly automated vehicles will have the luxury of performing activities such as reading or interacting with their mobile devices while the system performs the driving tasks. However, if the passenger takes his eyes off the surrounding traffic environment, sensory conflict is likely to occur. We implemented a concept in virtual reality to prevent motion sickness during automated driving based on a split screen technology. A part of the screen shows a video capture of the car surrounding in real time, while the other part is free to be used for individual applications. This additional data enables visual cues, which makes it possible to monitor the direction of movement of the vehicle. This minimizes sensory conflict and prevents motion sickness. An experiment was conducted with fourteen participants on a virtual reality automated driving simulator with an integrated motion platform. The result shows that the video streaming of the horizon presented to the passengers on a display helps them to feel comfortable and also reduced motion sickness during automated driving.