Investigation of Thermal Feedback for In-Car Applications
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Glasgow
Department Name: School of Computing Science
Abstract
In modern cars most information is presented to the driver visually. This can lure the driver's eyes off the road ahead, which is a known contributor to crash and near-crash events. To leave the visual channel open for the driving task, and to convey information to the driver alone and unobtrusively, haptic feedback can be used. While there has been extensive research into the use of vibration in cars, thermal feedback has not been examined in this context, even though it shows promising results for mobile devices. This project, therefore, investigates the use of thermal feedback for in-car applications. Some of the applications such as presenting directional cues or tactile notifications during driving are being explored through user studies.
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP/P510506/1 | 01/10/2016 | 30/09/2021 | |||
| 2374288 | Studentship | EP/P510506/1 | 03/10/2016 | 02/11/2020 | Patrizia Di Campli San Vito |
| Description | Seven driving simulator studies tested different applications and aspects of thermal cues (temperature changes), such as directional cues, binary (warm/cold) and in combination with spatial information (through location), and different types of notifications. Results show the challenges and advantages of thermal cue design for presentation during driving and the effectiveness of the modality for navigation. Binary directional cues have high recognition rates, but face the challenge of the return to a neutral base temperature being misinterpreted as new cues. The number of these false positives was especially high for long thermal cues, which had the highest recognition rates. Design choices will have to be made in consideration of this fact. Spatial directional cues were effective, but the simultaneous presentation of cues with opposing direction of temperature change on each hand confused rather than aided the driver. In addition, the perceived urgency of thermal cues was compared to vibration and the two modalities were investigated together for informational notifications. Thermal cues were consistently rated as less urgent than both bimodal (thermal and vibration) and vibrotactile cues. The addition of thermal feedback to urgent vibration cues led to longer reaction times, which renders bimodal tactile stimuli unsuited for urgent warnings. However, they could very accurately convey information to classify messages. In this context, both thermal only and bimodal tactile stimuli had high recognition rates. While thermal feedback could not replace visual information during the transfer of control in a semi-autonomous car, the addition of bimodal tactile feedback led to an improvement of driving behaviour and was preferred by participants. These findings show the potential for thermal feedback within the driving environment. |
| Exploitation Route | These results can be taken as basis for further research into thermal feedback during driving. As this was the first investigation of thermal cues within the driving environment, the findings sparked discussions and integration of thermal feedback within the in-car user interface community. The new tactile modality can be used to enhance non-visual and non-auditory in-car feedback and potentially lead to less driving distraction and safer driving. |
| Sectors | Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software) |
| Description | The research was co-funded by an industry partner and with their help the research was published as a press released, which was picked up by numerous car magazines and outlets in various countries and languages. The idea of thermal feedback in the car has been broadly shared with this and sparked discussion within the community. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2019 |
| Sector | Transport |
| Impact Types | Cultural |
| Description | SIGCHI Student Travel Grant |
| Amount | $70 (USD) |
| Organisation | Association for Computing Machinery |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United States |
| Start | 11/2020 |
| End | 11/2020 |
| Description | iCase with Jaguar Land Rover |
| Organisation | Jaguar Land Rover Automotive PLC |
| Department | Jaguar Land Rover |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | We discussed our research with JLR in regular intervals; they had access to every publication before submission. |
| Collaborator Contribution | They discussed our research with us and provided feedback and input, they provided an internship opportunity and some hardware. |
| Impact | As they were partner throughout the PhD project, they have impacted all research to a small degree; the research done during the internship was influenced more significantly. |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | JLR Press Release |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | The industry partner approached me regarding a press release of their institution. We discussed and collaborated on the content and it was picked up internationally. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://www.jaguarlandrover.com/news/2019/05/sensory-steering-wheel-keeps-your-eyes-road |
| Description | SICSA Demonstrator |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Demonstration booth at event aimed to bring research, industry and policy makers together. Many could experience this kind of feedback for the first time, discussion ranged from excited to sceptical. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| URL | https://www.sicsa.ac.uk/knowledge-exchange/industry-collaboration/demofest/ |
| Description | SICSA PreCHI Day |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | About 120 researchers and postgraduate students attended the event, which is a platform to bring together human computer interaction (HCI) researcher within Scotland to present their research accepted for publication at the biggest HCI conference (CHI). In 2020, because of Covid 19, it had to happen online and I was one of 3 organisers. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.sicsa.ac.uk/blog/sicsa-pre-chi-day-2020/ |
| Description | Seminar Presentation |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | A research group (including current PhD students) of about 25 to 30 people within an institution in my home country listened to an overall presentation of my research work. The aim was to discuss ideas ad spark discussion, which it did. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |