Investigating the User Experience of Physical and Digital Interfaces in Automotive Design
Typ
Examensarbete för masterexamen
Master's Thesis
Master's Thesis
Program
Industrial design engineering (MPDES), MSc
Publicerad
2020
Författare
Morvaridi Farimani, Hossein
Modellbyggare
Tidskriftstitel
ISSN
Volymtitel
Utgivare
Sammanfattning
Abstract
With the continuous addition of new infotainment and driver assist features, In-Vehicle Infotainment
systems (IVIs) are evolving to enhance convenience. However, balancing the system's output
(information presentation) and input (vehicle controls) has become a major challenge for automotive
companies. To address the complexity and information overload, many have shifted from physical
controls to embedded digital touchscreens, raising questions about how far this transition should go.
This shift from physical to digital interfaces presents both benefits and drawbacks. On one hand,
digital touchscreens can increase driver distraction due to the visual load and eliminate haptic
feedback and muscle memory. On the other hand, they offer flexibility and modern aesthetics. The
primary research question was: What are the pros and cons of physical and digital interfaces from a
user perspective? The secondary question focused on how the context of use (driving vs. non-driving)
impacts user experience with each interface type.
To explore these questions, this thesis investigated user satisfaction with both physical controls and
digital touchscreens. Online user interviews and a literature review were conducted to assess the pros
and cons of each interface in different contexts. The findings revealed that no single interface type is
universally preferred. Users favored physical controls while driving, due to the haptic feedback and
ease of use, but preferred digital interfaces in non-driving situations, due to their modern appeal and
functionality.
The study also revealed that user preferences varied based on behavior and attitudes, with early
adopters perceiving digital interfaces as more trendy, while conservative users viewed physical
interfaces as more reliable. These insights led to the development of design guidelines and a hybrid
interface concept, blending physical and digital elements. The concept was evaluated and deemed a
better solution than existing systems, though some refinements were suggested. The results provide a
foundation for balancing physical and digital elements in future IVI designs.
The design guidelines, developed from user needs and research findings, aimed to balance the
strengths of physical and digital interfaces. These guidelines led to a conceptual UI design that
combined physical controls for driving tasks with digital touchscreens for flexibility in non-driving
contexts. The hybrid design was evaluated by both original participants and a wider audience,
receiving positive feedback as an improvement over current systems. However, some aspects, like
balancing ease of use with digital complexity, needed refinement. Overall, the guidelines, impact
map, and evaluations represent progress toward more intuitive and user-friendly in-vehicle interfaces
Beskrivning
Ämne/nyckelord
Keywords: User Experience (UX), Human-Machine Interaction (HMI), In-Vehicle Infotainment (IVI) Systems, Digital Interfaces, automotive safety