Intercultural Differences in the Interaction Between Drivers and Driver-Information-Systems 2002-01-0087

The interaction between humans and driver information systems has to be as uncomplicated and fast as possible since the main task for the driver is to drive. It is therefore necessary to design human-machine interfaces, that make easy and safe interactions possible. However, the increasing globalization of product markets make it necessary to take into account cultural differences when developing a human-machine-interface. For this reason, cultural peculiarities and intercultural differences have to be identified and investigated. In the present study we examined if there are any cultural differences between Japan and Germany with regard to the evaluation of different navigation-systems. Provisional results show that Japanese and German nationals evaluate navigation-systems differently and that there are intercultural differences which influence the purchasing of information-systems.