In-Vehicle Infotainment System
Context
This study aims to understand drivers' frustrations with today's standard IVI systems inside automobiles to create a new system that allows them to use them more efficiently. This would allow drivers to interact with their system faster and safer than ever before. This system brings back the mechanical/physical connection that has been lost in modern tech while maintaining all proper standards and laws.
Role
Researcher & Designer
Timeline
8 Months
Team
1 Researcher & Designer
Summary
The purpose of this study was to create an IVIS that allows for a better driver-vehicle connection that includes and innovates current tech within automobiles while maintaining and exceeding current safety standards. To do this, I researched what tech is available for automobiles and how that tech impacts the lives of drivers. From there I was able to design an IVIS that further increases connection and safety on the roadways.
An IVIS for better connection and safety for drivers
Idea Synthesis
I wanted to create a better IVIS for everyone
As a car enthusiast, I have had the pleasure to drive many different vehicles with each having a completely different designed infotainment system but all with the same goal - to give drivers all the essentials for an enjoyable experience. To say the least, each system has its pros and cons according to different vehicle owners. The question that popped into my head was; "Why can't I design a system for all demographics that is more enjoyable to use simultaneously being less distracting while on the roads?". So that is what I set out to do...
Quick Statistics
>12s
Transport Canada states that drivers should take no longer than 12-seconds to complete a task on an IVIS.
27%
27% of seriously injured crashes reported were due to distracted driving in 2016. This is an upward trend as a decade earlier it was 22%.
3x
The majority of my participants completed their tasks in under 4 seconds. 3x more efficient than current standards.
The Problem
Systems are taking the driver out of the "driving seat"
What happened when vehicles were designed for the driver to connect with them? Technology is advancing fast as we move through the years which has allowed for advanced tech to be implemented into vehicles to make the lives of drivers easier. Along with this, however, tech integration has caused a loss of connection with the driver and their vehicle which in turn hurts the driving experience we can have. I believe that we, as designers, should be designing vehicles how we used to, by creating a unique experience for the driver to connect with their vehicle. In turn, having a dashboard with less distracting, unnecessary visuals, can have a huge impact on driver interaction and safety on our roadways.
Tesla was one of the first manufacturers to create an autonomous driving experience which created a disconnect between the driver and vehicle. Driving is a skill that we all need to learn instead of eliminating driving completely. Not only does Tesla not require the driver to drive, but, they also give the driver access to social media applications (and more) while behind the wheel. This poses a huge safety concern for everyone.
This is a new concept electric vehicle that adds even more screens that distract the driver from the main task - driving. Not only is the entire dashboard a massive touchscreen smart device, this system boasts that drivers and passengers can use social media and watch movies while on the roadway. This proves that vehicle manufacturers are moving in a negative direction for UX when behind the wheel of your vehicle.
System Goal
Putting the driver back in control while keeping up-to-date tech increasing safety for all
The goal of the IVI system is to allow drivers to regain a physical/mechanical connection while keeping the tech advancements of today's vehicles. This will allow the driver to gain a deeper connection with their vehicle which in turn allows for a safer and more enjoyable experience when behind the wheel. To do this, I eliminated the fancy, unnecessary visuals while simultaneously keeping a pleasing aesthetic for consumers.
System Ideation
Creating a better IVI system from scratch
The first obstacle I faced was figuring out the device size I was designing for. I chose to use an 11" vertical orientated screen which fell into the upper average category in size.
Design Decisions
How can I achieve this ambitious goal?
To complete this goal, I started researching different vehicle manufacturers to find out what the professionals are doing as well as researching how the history of IVI systems has evolved over the years. I needed to find out what kind of device I would be designing for and found out most manufacturers are moving to a touchscreen system. But, how can I keep these tech integrations while also having a mechanical feel? The answer is to integrate physical dials into the system allowing the driver to feel what they are doing instead of taking their eyes off the road to see what they are doing.
The Ford Mustang Mach-e uses a physical "doughnut" style dial for a mechanical feel to control certain aspects of the system while driving. Having a physical dial for feedback allows the driver to maintain eye contact on the road instead of on the system. Using this type of dial, allows manufacturers to keep the aesthetic of a modern tech facelift but also allows drivers to be able to safely use the system and have a better connection with their vehicles. In my design, I used dials (shown as black circles) for comfort controls with the system, which includes volume and climate control functions.
I chose to use a vertical orientation for two reasons, one being that a dashboard used to be designed in a manner that the functions fit into an area that was taller than it was wider. The second reason is that a vertical design allows for better division in functional element separation creating a visual hierarchy of more important information at the top to least important at the bottom. Using a traditional element placement allows drivers to keep calm in situations while using the IVIS because it is less of a learning curve to interact with versus a completely different design.
Colour coding the interactive elements without physical feedback allows for drivers to associate actions with the specific colour. This is beneficial, as the human brain can process what a specific colour means faster than trying to process the shape of an icon or even reading a title. Having all three design elements used for different actions within the system allows drivers to quickly glance, act and complete tasks quicker than they were before. This creates a safer driving experience for everyone on the roadways.
Adding a split-screen function allows drivers to use two functions they would like to utilize at the same time. During my research, I found that drivers use their GPS and Music functions the most. Allowing users access to both of these applications at once may not limit the amount of glances they take to gain information, however, it does limit the amount of times they need to physically interact with the system. This means users take shorter glances as they do not have to use an extended amount of cognitive load to interact and gain information while they are driving.
Project Challenges
Designing for a system that does not exist
By far, the biggest obstacle I faced during this project was user-testing the prototype to get accurate results. As a single-person team and doing this for the first time, I had to think of a way to test my prototype to gain usable data. I did not have a simulation or vehicle dimensions to test or build my design, so I tried to create an environment that would best replicate a real driving scenario. What I did was buy a few tripods for my recording devices as well as for my iPad where I could position it on top of the pre-existing IVIS in my vehicle. I would set up my audio/video recording device on the dash facing the driver where they would be looking out the windshield. This allowed me to track the eye movements of the participants and time how long each task would take them to complete. Doing the tests in this manner allowed the participants to be in the most realistic driving simulation I could create without breaking any laws.
An efficient system that exceeds safety standards
Final Product
What you need, right at your finger tips.
