Exploring Future Steering Devices for Automated Cars A user centered design project to develop an intuitive, user accepted, and safe steering device
Typ
Examensarbete för masterexamen
Master's Thesis
Master's Thesis
Program
Industrial design engineering (MPDES), MSc
Publicerad
2023
Författare
Gustafsson, Anna
Jansson, Emelie
Modellbyggare
Tidskriftstitel
ISSN
Volymtitel
Utgivare
Sammanfattning
Automation have brough a significant change to the automobile industry, increasing the comfort,
convenience, safety, and space of cars. As we move towards a future where cars will be
responsible for a larger proportion of driving, estimated at 80%, new circumstances and
expectations are bound to arise for car travel. With the focus of users shifting towards attending
other activities rather than driving, there is an opportunity for a new design for the car’s steering
device. Therefore, it becomes important to explore and develop new steering devices beyond the
conventional steering wheel to meet the new expectations of car travel.
This thesis aims to investigate future lateral steering devices for highly automated cars, with a
timeframe of about two decades from now. The objective of the project is to design a realizable
steering device that prioritizes user acceptance, ease-of-use, convenience, and safety. To achieve
a suitable result for the future context and the objective of the project, a user centered design
process is adopted, involving potential future users’ attitudes in the product development
process. The methodology entails conducting workshops where simulated scenarios of the future
are used and where potential future users can give input on various steering devices.
The final concept aims to enhance user convenience by increasing the roominess in front of the
driver, allowing the driver to engage in other activities while in automated mode. Additionally,
the concept prioritizes safety through facilitating a smooth transition between automated and
manual modes, and by considering airbags in the design. The findings of the project suggest that
developing a feasible product in a future scenario is difficult due to the potential changes in the
anticipated circumstances, which can affect the implementation success of the final concept.
Consequently, it is crucial for future research to continue exploring the expectations and context
of lateral steering devices for highly automated cars.
Beskrivning
Ämne/nyckelord
Automated Cars, Lateral Steering Devices, Intuitive Steering, Transition Phase, Airbags, Roominess, User Acceptance