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In this paper, we discuss the operational convenience and safe driving when operating a human-machine interface (HMI) while driving on a virtual expressway. We previously conducted an experiment to evaluate a center-cluster panel switch and two prototypes of new HMI with a head-up display (HUD) and steering wheel switch (SWS) in which the participant followed a lead vehicle on an expressway by using a driving simulator (DS). We also conducted another experiment to evaluate these new HMIs when a driver operating an HMI encountered a sudden danger while driving. However, in these previous experiments, the number of switch pushes was not the same for each HMI. In this study, we compared the participants' switch operation performance, eye movement, and reaction to sudden danger in the new experimental condition, where the number of switch pushes is the same for each HMI, with those of the previous work.

Comfortable man-machine interfaces are required for current advanced vehicle systems. This paper aims at investigating the relation between reaction force of switches and human switch operation feeling. We investigate how each reaction force of switches effects the touch feeling of switches via sensory test. The results of factor analysis for the questionnaire data obtained in the sensory test show that the most substantial factor is the feeling expressed by the words “Clear”, “Smooth”, “Stiff”, and “Clicking”. Finally, each feeling described by each word is directly evaluated by reaction force or vice versa on dual scales. The dual scale for reaction forces and degree of feeling can be directly used for designing comfortable switch.

An experimental method was required to evaluate both the operability and the influence on safety of in-vehicle devices used while driving. We proposed to measure the number of errors, operation time, glance time, and variations in steering angle and yaw angle through objective tests, as well as eliciting subjective evaluations by participants. We conducted an experiment in which, using a driving simulator to evaluate a center-cluster panel switch and a new human-machine interface (HMI) with a head-up display (HUD) and steering wheel switch (SWS), the participant follows a lead vehicle on an expressway. Results indicate that the experimental method is effective for comprehensively evaluating in-vehicle devices and identifying where improvements are needed. The merits of the new HMI are also discussed.

We conducted an experiment to evaluate the operational convenience and the influence on safe driving of a new human-machine interface (HMI) by using a driving simulator (DS). In this system a driver operates the new HMI and center-cluster panel switches while driving on an expressway and when encountering a sudden danger. Based on the results, we discuss the operational convenience and driving safety when operating an HMI while driving on a virtual expressway.