Abstract
What if new cars could adjust in-car devices to particular ways of speaking around the world? General Motors sought communication research to inform the design of culturally competent in-car human–machine interfaces. We discuss concerns and tensions that arise when balancing commitments of naturalistic study with design development goals. We emphasize the importance of awareness, attentiveness, and cooperation to ensure research integrity.
Acknowledgments
The authors gratefully acknowledge their colleagues who are part of the field research team in China: Pei Wang who is a Research Specialist of the Human–Machine Interface at General Motors in Shanghai, China, and Libin Hang, Associate Professor of Communication at Donghua University, Shanghai, China.