Human-Machine Interface: How to Make It Simple and Effective 2000-01-C019

We are faced with a rapidly increasing flood of information to the driver. In addition to established information systems (car radio, vehicle monitoring, mobile phones), high class vehicles feature navigation systems almost as standard. In the next decade, driver assistance and collision mitigation systems will appear in vehicles.

Hence, there is an increasing demand for supplying the driver with more information that help him to drive safer and more economical. In parallel, the price decline in the computer market and the availability of powerful graphic hard- and software concepts make it possible to enhance the classical functions of the instrument board to an interactive multifunctional information panel, and the dashboard will be the main interface between car and driver. Future vehicle information systems will provide this information in two information centers, a programmable instrument cluster with driver relevant information and a center console display with driver and passenger relevant information. For these systems the question for additional visual and cognitive stress, and a possible distraction of the driver by the huge amount of information, and its complexity becomes predominant.

Reconfigurable instruments (RCI), based on a microprocessor controlled active matrix color display, provide a powerful alternative to the usual mechanical/elec-tromechanical cluster instruments in vehicles. They will help to strengthen passive safety, they adapt to user and situation requirements, and they are easy to install, configure, and maintain. RCIs in future cars will have a tremendous impact on traffic since they canalize much more information than ever provided to the driver. The functions are manifold and reach from classical driver information like speed to navigation and finally to Video and Multimedia access.