An Exploratory Design Workshop to Elicit what Feels Natural when Interacting with an Automobile’s Secondary Controls

Abstract

Exploratory design workshops were conducted using five participatory methods with 10 automobile drivers in order to understand what characterizes natural-feeling interaction with automobiles’ secondary, comfort, and infotainment controls. Hands-on, artefact-focused methods were selected for their potential to understand these familiar but characteristically silent and private interactions. ‘Think Aloud’ analyses, flexible modelling, breaching, focus groups, and ‘future fictions’ were conducted in an immersive automotive workshop using real automotive controls. Some sessions took place in a parked automobile. Grounded theory thematic analysis suggested a framework with 11 themes: Familiarity and predictability, Driver in full and ultimate control, Communication with reality, Weighty physical sensations, Cabin comfort and sanctuary, Uncluttered cabin architecture, Low visual demand, Low cognitive demand, Humanlike partnership, Humanlike sentience and learning, and Humanlike verbal–auditory communication. Natural-feeling interaction may be more likely perceived in an automobile, system, or individual control that exhibits as many of the 11 themes as appropriate.

Keywords:

• automobile secondary controls
• driver–automobile interaction
• natural interaction
• exploratory design workshop
• Think Aloud
• flexible modelling
• mixed methods
• thematic analysis

Funding

This research was fully funded by a research grant from Jaguar Land Rover [JLR3702].

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Simon Ramm

Simon Ramm is a human-centred automotive designer specializing in voice control and future cars’ user experience. His PhD concerned natural-feeling interaction between drivers and their cars. 

Joseph Giacomin

Joseph Giacomin is the Director of the Human Centred Design Institute (HCDI) of Brunel University, UK. He has more than 80 publications and is an editor of Ergonomics and International Journal of Vehicle Noise and Vibration.

Alessio Malizia

Alessio Malizia is an ACM Distinguished Speaker and Professor of User Experience Design in the School of Creative Arts at University of Hertfordshire, UK.

Bennett Anyasodo

Ben Anyasodo is a human–machine interaction specialist whose work involves applying human factors principles and practices to the development of new technology concepts. He worked at Jaguar Land Rover for seven years.