Cars Get Their Own Language
The multitude of functions in today’s cars can easily overtax the driver. Researchers at Bosch are therefore developing unambiguous, intuitively understandable symbols and signals to increase driving safety.
Symbols and signals in a car must provide the driver with unmistakable information about the car’s status, and with clear warnings of critical situations. Researchers are therefore investigating exactly what kind of signals can be intuitively and clearly understood by test subjects. This research involves multiple sensory pathways — for instance, by combining visual symbols on the navigational display with acoustic signals and tactile warnings, like vibrations of the driver’s seat. The visual aspect frequently dominates in convenience functions. A graphical icon or symbol, for instance, may clearly demonstrate available options and appropriate actions the driver can take to back into a parking space. In addition, acoustic signals can denote the start and finish of required steering, backing-up and braking actions. Through repeated use, the driver memorizes this sound sequence and soon learns to park correctly by the acoustic signals alone — being able to devote full attention to watching out for people or obstacles. In critical situations, signals must alert several sensory channels. Acoustic and tactile signals, which elicit particularly fast responses in humans, are then essential. If the lane departure warner is activated, the combination of signals simulates the sensations familiar from driving onto a “rumble strip” — the loudspeakers rattle and the driver seat vibrates.
Extensive experiments with test subjects have shown that the driver reacts correctly — by sensing that the car is drifting off-lane and by countersteering. In driver assistance systems, communications with the driver are supremely important. Poor display symbols are more distracting than useful. This is especially true in critical situations. Researchers are therefore developing ergonomically well-thought-out symbols that can be instantly understood. Especially in time-critical and complex driving situations, these symbols must communicate information clearly and contain a prompt for an immediately executable action. After all, fractions of a second can make all the difference. For example: If — on an expressway — three independently operating assistance systems announce “Obstacle in front!”, “Lane departure left”, but “Vehicle in blind spot”, then the driver should be instructed to “Stay in lane and brake!” To endow the vehicle with a highly effective language for communicating with the driver, researchers have developed a new method of designing signs and symbols. The abstract model they are using accommodates different communication situations: informing, drawing attention, warning, and prompting immediate action. In more concrete terms, they also consider which button to push or which lever to pull. From these criteria they derive the desirable attributes of visual, acoustic and tactile signals. Creative designers must then convert these inputs into actual signs and signals.
Extensive experiments with test subjects have shown that the driver reacts correctly — by sensing that the car is drifting off-lane and by countersteering. In driver assistance systems, communications with the driver are supremely important. Poor display symbols are more distracting than useful. This is especially true in critical situations. Researchers are therefore developing ergonomically well-thought-out symbols that can be instantly understood. Especially in time-critical and complex driving situations, these symbols must communicate information clearly and contain a prompt for an immediately executable action. After all, fractions of a second can make all the difference. For example: If — on an expressway — three independently operating assistance systems announce “Obstacle in front!”, “Lane departure left”, but “Vehicle in blind spot”, then the driver should be instructed to “Stay in lane and brake!” To endow the vehicle with a highly effective language for communicating with the driver, researchers have developed a new method of designing signs and symbols. The abstract model they are using accommodates different communication situations: informing, drawing attention, warning, and prompting immediate action. In more concrete terms, they also consider which button to push or which lever to pull. From these criteria they derive the desirable attributes of visual, acoustic and tactile signals. Creative designers must then convert these inputs into actual signs and signals.
Graphic markings show what steering angle to apply, while the “bent” bar graph displays the progress of the parking action.
