Auditory Displays for In-Vehicle Technologies

Abstract

Modern vehicle cockpits have begun to incorporate a number of information-rich techno-logies, including systems to enhance and improve driving and navigation performance and also driving-irrelevant information systems. The visually intensive nature of the driving task requires these systems to adopt primarily nonvisual means of information display, and the auditory modality represents an obvious alternative to vision for interacting with in-vehicle technologies (IVTs). Although the literature on auditory displays has grown tremendously in recent decades, to date, few guidelines or recommendations exist to aid in the design of effective auditory displays for IVTs. This chapter provides an overview of the current state of research and practice with auditory displays for IVTs. The role of basic auditory capabilities and limitations as they relate to in-vehicle auditory display design are discussed. Extant systems and prototypes are reviewed, and when possible, design recommendations are made. Finally, research needs and an iterative design process to meet those needs are discussed. © 2011 by Human Factors and Ergonomics Society.