Comparing an Innovative 3D and a Standard 2D User Interface for Automotive Infotainment Applications

Abstract

In this work we present the results of a comparative user study of two radically different user interfaces for controlling infotainment applications in an automotive environment: a standard 2D interface and an innova- tive 3D interface. Based on a generic multimodal architecture, both systems can be operated by conventional key-console and touch-screen as well as by natural speech and dynamic hand and head gestures. Inspired by the advantages of classical Virtual-Reality interfaces, the idea of the new 3D design approach is to increase the overall usability when interacting with complex in-car information systems by applying pleasing display patterns. In a series of usability experiments we have evaluated both interfaces with regard to typical opera- tion tasks in a simulated driving scenario. Thereby, we have found out that none of the two interface alterna- tives has clearly been preferred in general, but concerning selected design elements and the joy of use, the 3D visual front-end obtained significantly better ratings. 1