Understanding Cognitive Factors for the Choice of Physical Controls for in-Vehicle Content Accessibility

Abstract

Automobiles become more capable of supporting our everyday lives. They are used not just for driving but also for communication and online content; playing music from the radio, from the internet, and from the phone connected, for example. However, designing accessible controls in-vehicle has been challenging due to the limitations of the in-vehicle interface. The space for physical control is limited, while the information architecture and menu structure of the user interface become complicated, as more controls and contents are provided. Finding the balanced HMI model for physical vs. screen-based virtual control is necessary to achieve satisfactory vehicle content accessibility. In this study, we used a similarity matrix to understand the underlying structure of content accessibility. Forty-eight participants were recruited and voluntarily reviewed their own vehicle in terms of content accessibility with VCAG (including NHTSA distraction guidelines), followed by sorting the physical buttons. The findings illustrate the choice model of vehicle content/control accessibility. Discussion will follow on psychophysical and preferential judgements in in-vehicle content accessibility. The updated VCAG testing methods and procedures will be provided.

Keywords: Physical Controls, In-vehicle Accessibility, Method Of Elimination

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1007309