Interactive Systems on the Road: Development of Vehicle User Interfaces for Failure Assistance

Abstract

In-vehicle interactive systems are usually specialized systems that rely on a particular set of hardware and are designed to support the driver in reaching a destination with his/her vehicle. Since the importance of these systems, especially when they are built to support the driver while driving, a lot of research already has been done concerning usability and safety. In contrast, interactive systems that support the automotive after sales market have generated much less attention. Here, other aspects need to be emphasized such as the failure type and complexity, means for information visualization and communication, and connectivity. We present an overview of the different interaction devices used for a specific scenario of the European Project MYCAREVENT. Integration between personal mobile devices and the environment of the car is envisioned, which will eventually lead to a multi-channel system where the most appropriate device with the best connection can be selected to interact with the user and the car. We will focus on different methodologies to create consistent and reliable user interfaces for multiple in-car interaction devices. A custom notation is introduced that supports the creation of context-sensitive interactive systems suitable to support the user in the given situation: a car breakdown. One part of the context that can be taken into account is the connectivity of the personal mobile device, since this influences the amount of information that is accessible for the user.