To twist or poke? A method for identifying usability issues with the rotary controller and touch screen for control of in-vehicle information systems

Abstract

In-vehicle information systems (IVIS) can be controlled by the user via direct or indirect input devices. In order to develop the next generation of usable IVIS, designers need to be able to evaluate and understand the usability issues associated with these two input types. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of a set of empirical usability evaluation methods for identifying important usability issues and distinguishing between the IVIS input devices. A number of usability issues were identified and their causal factors have been explored. These were related to the input type, the structure of the menu/tasks and hardware issues. In particular, the translation between inputs and on-screen actions and a lack of visual feedback for menu navigation resulted in lower levels of usability for the indirect device. This information will be useful in informing the design of new IVIS, with improved usability. STATEMENT OF RELEVANCE: This paper examines the use of empirical methods for distinguishing between direct and indirect IVIS input devices and identifying usability issues. Results have shown that the characteristics of indirect input devices produce more serious usability issues, compared with direct devices and can have a negative effect on the driver-vehicle interaction.

To twist, roll, stroke or poke? A study of input devices for menu navigation in the cockpit

“…Although there have been a number of previous studies comparing different input device types for control of systems (e.g. Sumie, Li, and Green 1998;Rogers et al 2005;Harvey et al 2011b;Heber, Oehl, and Sutter 2011;Sutter, Oehl, and Armbrüster 2011), it is important to account for aspects of the context-of-use which will be specific to particular domains (Accot and Zhai 1999;Hooey, Foyle, and Andre 2000). The aim of this study was to evaluate input devices for control of a screen-based flight management system (FMS), used in fixed-and rotary-wing aircraft.…”

Modelling the hare and the tortoise: predicting the range of in-vehicle task times using critical path analysis

“…and availability in existing systems: seeHarvey et al (2011b) for a detailed discussion of task selection for this study.…”

How to make large touch screens usable while driving

“…No significant difference was found between the different interfaces (p > .05, r =.10). Moreover, the deviation from the optimum distance between simulator car and lead car was used to observe if drivers reduce their speed "in order to cope with the demand from the interaction with the secondary task" [15]. No significant effect could be found (p > .05, r =.12).…”

“…Harvey et al [15] compared indirect control with a rotary controller to the direct input on a touch screen, for 20 different secondary tasks, including music player interaction and climate control. They show that touch interaction consistently resulted in shorter interaction times and a higher usability rating, while driving performance remained stable.…”

“…This can result in shorter interaction times [10] [15]. Moreover, as the amount of functionality keeps increasing, screens can provide this functionality in a contextdependent way, for example by hiding climate control functions that are not required while a convertible is open.…”