Wolfgang Spiessl

Automotive user interfaces: human computer interaction in the car

Cars have become complex interactive systems. Mechanical controls and electrical systems are transformed to the digital realm. It is common that drivers operate a vehicle and, at the same time, interact with a variety of devices and applications. Texting while driving, looking up an address for the navigation system, and taking a phone call are just some common examples that add value for the driver, but also increase the risk of driving. Novel interaction technologies create many opportunities for designing useful and attractive in-car user interfaces. With technologies that assist the user in driving, such as assistive cruise control and lane keeping, the user interface is essential to the way people perceive the driving experience. New means for user interface development and interaction design are required as the number of factors influencing the design space for automotive user interfaces is increasing. In comparison to other domains, a trial and error approach while the product is already in the market is not acceptable as the cost of failure may be fatal. User interface design in the automotive domain is relevant across many areas ranging from primary driving control, to assisted functions, to navigation, information services, entertainment and games.

Driving Automotive User Interface Research

Cars offer an interesting but challenging microcosm for pervasive computing research and, in particular, for interaction with pervasive computing systems. Increasingly, researchers are looking at interactive applications in the car and investigating human-car interaction from a computer science—rather than an ergonomics or mechanical engineering—perspective. This article reports on the International Conference on Automotive User Interfaces and Interactive Vehicular Applications, wherein participants shared presentations on topics such as aesthetics, user interaction and distraction, safety, and driver monitoring.

In-car interaction using search-based user interfaces

Increasing functionality, growing media volumes and dynamic data in todays in-vehicle information systems bear new challenges for user interaction design. Traditional hierarchical and menu-based interaction can only provide limited support while new search-based approaches are promising. In this work we assess different search techniques and search-based user interfaces. In particular we compare free search across all data items with categorized search. Our experiments with functional prototypes show that free search is more efficient and easier to use than searching within categories. Tests in a driving simulator show promising results regarding safety and workload. Means for alphanumeric input appear to be essential for an efficient and safe search interaction while driving.

A system for unobtrusive in-car vital parameter acquisition and processing

In this contribution, a system for unobtrusive acquisition and processing of vital parameters using car-integrated sensors and processing devices is presented for the first time. The system consists of a steering wheel with integrated sensors, sensor processing and wireless communication interface and a portable monitoring unit for wireless data reception, display and interface to the car information system. A great effort is done worldwide to develop technical solutions helping elderly people to keep mobile and thus autonomous, including monitoring vital signs for patients needing continuous medical care or preventive solutions allowing regular health checks. In-car vital signs monitoring is a good approach to solve this problem. This solution focuses on the effective integration of display solutions and few sensors for an improved usability and lowering of the system-related drivers distraction.

Unobtrusive In-Car Vital Parameter Acquisition and Processing

In this contribution, a system for unobtrusive acquisition and processing of vital parameters using car-integrated sensors and processing devices is presented for the first time. The system consists of a steering wheel with integrated sensors, sensor processing and wireless communication interface and a portable monitoring unit for wireless data reception, display and interface to the car information system. A great effort is done worldwide to develop technical solutions helping elderly people to keep mobile and thus autonomous, including monitoring vital signs for patients needing continuous medical care or preventive solutions allowing regular health checks. In-car vital signs monitoring is a good approach to solve this problem. This solution focuses on the effective integration of display solutions and few sensors for an improved usability and lowering of the system-related drivers distraction.