Assessment of User Preferences for In-Car Display Combinations during Non-Driving Tasks: An Experimental Study Using a Virtual Reality Head-Mounted Display Prototype

Abstract

The goal of vehicular automation is to enhance driver comfort by reducing the necessity for active engagement in driving. This allows for the performance of non-driving-related tasks (NDRTs), with attention shifted away from the driving process. Despite this, there exists a discrepancy between current in-vehicle display configurations and the escalating demands of NDRTs. This study investigates drivers’ preferences for in-vehicle display configurations within highly automated driving contexts. Utilizing virtual reality head-mounted displays (VR-HMDs) to simulate autonomous driving scenarios, this research employs Unity 3D Shape for developing sophisticated head movement tracking software. This setup facilitates the creation of virtual driving environments and the gathering of data on visual attention distribution. Employing an orthogonal experiment, this experiment methodically analyses and categorizes the primary components of in-vehicle display configurations to determine their correlation with visual immersion metrics. Additionally, this study incorporates subjective questionnaires to ascertain the most immersive display configurations and to identify key factors impacting user experience. Statistical analysis reveals that a combination of Portrait displays with Windshield Head-Up Displays (W-HUDs) is favored under highly automated driving conditions, providing increased immersion during NDRTs. This finding underscores the importance of tailoring in-vehicle display configurations to individual needs to avoid distractions and enhance user engagement.