Smart and Seamless: Investigating User Needs and Recognition for Smartphone-Automobile Interactive Features

Abstract

This exploratory research investigated: the interactive relationship between smartphone and automobile; scenarios, user needs and key experience factors of smartphone-automobile interactive features; user recognition of potential features. We applied a qualitative method combining in-depth interview and field observation. 12 participants in Shenzhen, China had participated. As results, we concluded 2 types of interaction, replacement and complement, with a 3-level recognition threshold, functionality, familiarity and personalization; 10 scenarios of using smartphone-automobile interactive features; 6 types of outside-of-vehicle features including Car Member Community, Car Service, Remote Car Control, Car Condition Check-up, Navigation Sync and Music Sync; 4 types of in-vehicle features including Video Sync, Social Media Sync, Schedule Sync and Home Appliance Control. For outside-of-vehicle features, participants hoped the car can be monitored and controlled via smartphone. For in-vehicle features, participants hoped smartphone information easily sync to IVI system. Participants recognized Remote Car Control, Car Condition Check-up and Navigation Sync as ordinary and pragmatic; Home Appliance Control as surprising and non-pragmatic; the rest features as surprising and pragmatic.