Truck & Off-Highway Engineering - June 2024 - 31

EXECUTIVE VIEWPOINTS
(ECG), once limited to research labs. These tools are
now applied to develop commercial HMI applications,
showcasing their relevance and utility in improving
system design.
Vehicle HMI design must manage the driver's cognitive
load, the mental effort required in working memory.
Human-factors experts aim to design interfaces
that simplify information processing, reducing cognitive
load to prevent confusion and potential hazards.
This involves organizing information logically, minimizing
complexity, and using visual and interactive hierarchies
to highlight essential functions.
For example, non-essential controls like A/C, music
and cruise control are placed on the steering wheel,
allowing drivers to use them without looking away from
the road. New features added to the dashboard are
strategically positioned for safety and ease of use. iMotions
software helps measure how long drivers divert
their gaze from the road to interact with these tools.
Optimizing user-centric design
Ergonomics play a critical role in HMI design, focusing
on the physical interaction between users and vehicle
interiors. This includes the strategic placement of controls
and displays, ensuring they are easy to operate
and provide adequate feedback. A well-executed ergonomic
design enhances user comfort and efficiency,
reducing the likelihood of strain, errors and accidents.
Designing for diverse users involves complex assessments
traditionally conducted through iterative testing
or focus groups.
The core of this approach lies in user-centered design,
which incorporates user feedback from the initial
stages to create intuitive and satisfying interfaces. This
method helps overcome traditional design challenges
like biased or inadequate feedback by using biosensors
that record detailed reactions in real time. By capturing
these instantaneous responses, developers can
discern critical factors that differentiate effective from
ineffective designs, leading to better, more user-focused
systems.
Human factors in HMI design go beyond just cognitive
and physical aspects. They also consider the emotional
and psychological impact of interfaces on users. This
involves understanding how design elements can affect
mood and stress levels and designing interfaces that create
positive emotional connections with the user. For
instance, the use of color, shape and texture can influence
a user's perception and emotional response to a
system. Tools such as driver facial expression monitoring,
ECG and muscle tension can provide valuable insights
into how drivers and passengers react to the cabin environment
that can be improved once the individual elements
of form and function are identified.
TRUCK & OFF-HIGHWAY ENGINEERING
iMotions integrates emotion analytics into the HMI design process to understand
the emotional and cognitive states of drivers in real time.
Combining emotion analytics and eye-tracking technology with advanced simulator
systems can allow designers to align interfaces more closely with human capabilities.
Safety is paramount in HMI design, where human-factors expertise
is crucial for reducing errors and accidents. This requires designing
interfaces that are straightforward, predictable and forgiving of user
errors. Accessibility is also essential, ensuring interfaces are usable by
Truck & Off-Highway Engineering - June 2024

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