Design of a gamified interface to improve fuel efficiency and safe driving

Abstract

The increasing reliance on motor vehicles has negative effects on both human health and the environment. Improving driving style has been shown to be a particularly crucial and relatively quick step to reducing fuel consumption and vehicle emissions. In this paper, a series of conceptual designs of in-vehicle gamified interfaces were evaluated, with a particular focus on the ability to use such systems to increase driver acceptance of feedback from such interfaces in order to promote eco-safe driving. Self-determination theory (SDT) was used to inform the design of the gamified interface concepts, with a particular focus on competence, autonomy and relatedness, as well as intrinsic versus extrinsic incentives and social persuasion feedback. The study adopts a user-centered design approach, utilizing focus groups to establish user needs and motivations to aid the design of a prototype system.