We live in a time where for many of us our phone is our most important tool. We use our phones for work, school, staying connected with friends and family, listening to music, navigation and much more. We have become so reliant on our devices that sometimes it is hard to put them down, and unfortunately for some even while driving.
PROBLEM.
There was a 102% increase in the percentage that reported texting while driving from 2010 to 2019.
Distracted driving now accounts for more fatalities than drinking and driving in 75% of Canadian Jurisdictions.
Canadians say that texting while driving is the #1 threat to their personal safety on the road.
Distracted driving-related crashes reportedly account for 17% of all crashes in Ontario, 2nd to only impaired driving and large trucks.
WHY?
The false belief that we as humans can dual-task continues to leave many drivers impaired behind the wheel without recognition. This belief has made distracted driving more accepted among motorists in Canada and the rest of the world.
Someone texting while driving is equally as impaired to someone with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08, which is equivalent to a 150lbs person drinking 4.5 drinks an hour
On average sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for 5 seconds at 90 km/h, is like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed.
3.6 x
Sending a text while driving makes you 3.6x more likely to be involved in a crash.
CURRENT SOLUTIONS.
It seems that somewhere along the way it became accepted that the current solutions we have come up with are good enough. They reduce physical interactions, and some even keep drivers more focused on the road, yet drivers continue to become distracted behind the wheel.
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So where do the government regulations fall short? The Traffic Injury Research Foundation conducted a survey across Canada, speaking with law enforcement personnel to get a better idea of what is being done to prevent distracted driving on the front lines. The results indicate that law enforcement doesn’t have access to enough manpower or resources to conduct impactful enforcement activities (Robertson, et al., 2016). 35% of respondents reported low or inadequate resources and 38% said they were moderately available (Robertson, et al., 2016). It was agreed that most traffic stops conducted for distracted driving were a result of “being in the right place at the right time” and catching most violators stopped at a light (Robertson, et al., 2016). Even when law enforcement performed a traffic stop many reported the interaction with the motorist was less effective compared to a speeding stop. Some motorists would claim they were not distracted, and the officer might let them off with a warning, some motorists even acknowledged they were using their phone and accepted the citation as “a cost of doing business” (Robertson, et al., 2016). This study identifies many gaps in the effectiveness of banning handheld devices. Although motorists understand the consequences of distracted driving, they also have identified it is very difficult to enforce the law in most situations, increasing the likelihood they get away with it.
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Yes, hands free systems and heads up displays may reduce interaction with handheld devices or keep motorist eyes on the road, but that is not reducing driver distraction according to several studies. Researchers from the University of Sussex looked at studies using eye tracking movement to gauge distraction while using hands free systems and heads up displays. Drivers who engaged in hands free tasks such as using voice commands to text, displayed signs of vision tunneling and reduced field of view compared to drivers focusing on the road (University of Sussex, 2016). Researchers determined that using a hands-free system required visual imagery to complete the task, which creates a cognitive conflict and reduces a driver’s sensitivity to change in their visual environment (Briggs, et al. 2016). When the brain is distracted, it must sacrifice areas of the brain needed for visual attention to provide enough resources for the secondary task (Dingus, et al., 2014).
Moving forward I knew it was no longer a question of “How might we put an end to distracted driving?” but rather “How might we reduce the level of distraction to complete certain tasks while driving?”. This would require a better understanding of what it means to be distracted at a cognitive level.
RE-PHRASE.
WHAT IS
DISTRACTION?
Increase in Cognitive Load
Distraction
Not only does the manual performance of a task increase its complexity, but also the required volume of cognitive resources (Robertson, et al., 2016). When the driver engages in dual-tasking; the attempt of performing two tasks simultaneously, this driver’s driving performance will begin to deteriorate because each task is competing for cognitive resources (Briggs, et al., 2016).
Through a deeper understanding of what it meant to be distracted at a cognitive level, the design challenge was defined. The solution needed to consider the user’s experience while using a mobile device, the environment of a car and the cognitive demand of certain tasks. In addition, the solution must also provide the user with a method to interface with their mobile device that would reduce the cognitive demand of certain tasks; texting, calling, programming a navigation system and playing music.
OPPORTUNITY.
Gesturing
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Numerous studies have determined that gestures not only play an integral role in human cognition but also aid thinking (Ping et al., 2010). Researchers have determined that gesturing is very important to communication, expression, and interpretation. Why? This is because we use gestures to refer to non-present objects, thoughts or ideas allowing us to make them present through gesturing. In application, there is strong evidence in the last decade that using gestures to communicate with tech devices requires very little cognitive demand on our side. We could possibly control everyday devices like a mobile phone without almost thinking when designed effectively.
A Tangible Aspect
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As humans we have a difficult time visualizing non-present objects. TUI`s add another dimension of understanding and affordance. The result is a reduction in visual resources required to understand what we are interacting with (Maher et al., 2017). TUI`s can be very successful in reducing the cognitive demand of certain task by taking advantage of metaphors and existing mental models to facilitate specific gestures and actions (Maher et al., 2017).
INITIAL IDEATION
I began by exploring a wide range of concepts and ideas that incorporated a tangible aspect that would be used to interface with another device. I had to consider several things; the environment of the car, the use case, how the user would interact with it, different models of cars and how to reduce cognitive demand.
In tandem with my initial product ideation, I began exploring different ways I could display the information on the phone's screen without using the phone. After some thought, I determined that it would be a much more feasible option to just use the phone as the interface.
A decision was made that the phone would be used as the interface to display information after further diverging of initial concepts. This concept considered and implemented common tasks the target user frequently completes while driving. The idea was to create a simplified layout with vibrant colours that could be seen in the driver`s peripheral view. Contrasting colours are also very effective in increasing a user’s familiarity with an interface and helping to build mental models.
CONCEPT 1
Navigation
Texting
Calling
Main menu
FURTHER DEVELOPMENT
Developed a working model to further demonstrate and test the idea, which gave a better understanding of the users existing mental models.
Once the touchpad is activated, users can simply pinch and hold while gesturing side to side two navigate between different widgets rather than scrolling through each one.
Macro Commands
Stand by Mode
Double-tap the steering wheel to activate the touchpad
Texting
Using a combination of the touchpad and built-in mic, users can quickly navigate to reply to a SMS.
Pinch and hold the touchpad while gesturing turning a dial.
OR
Hover and click.
Adjusting Volume
A 3-second hold of the touchpad will activate the gesture recognition feature and provide the user with two pulses of haptic feedback to begin the gesture
Custom Commands
Through further concept development and discussion with colleagues, a wearable device positioned on the index and middle finger was determined to be the most opportune option. This position allowed for the implementation of a touch interface that is a metaphor, for how many of us interact with out phones already. This position would also optimize the opportunity for incorporating simple gestures. The challenge was designing a size or mechanism that would create a one size fits all device to reduce manufacturing complications.
ERGONOMIC EXPLORATION
USER INSIGHT.
PROTOTYPING
INSPIRATION
FORM EXPLORATION
FINAL DESIGN
SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE
APP NAVIGATION
Navigating the app makes use of both the touchpad and gesture features. Using a small set of simple gestures, the driver can safely navigate the app while driving. All commands provide the driver with haptic feedback to confirm specific gestures and actions with the aim of further reducing distraction.
The user experience of PELTO was vigorously tested and designed with the safety of the driver as well as others on the road being the top priority. The features of the device allow for an intuitive experience for the driver while reducing distracting actions and behaviours.
DEVICE FEATURES
DEVICE COMPONENTS
The materials not only create a premium look and feel but also have an impact on the function. TPU provides spring-like properties that assist in holding the device snugly against the user’s finger. Aluminum is commonly used in jewelry and can mimic the user’s skin temperature which will reduce perspiration.
Marc C. Gauthier Award in Innovative Technologies
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“Awarded annually, when merited, to a student in the graduating class of the Bachelor of Industrial Design program at Carleton University on the recommendation of a jury appointed by the Director of the School of Industrial Design. Selection of the recipient will be based on the innovative use of technology in the design of the fourth-year major project. Endowed by the Gauthier family in 2003 in memory of their son and brother Marc Christian Gauthier (BID/98).”
ACIDO Rocket Innovation Award (Healthcraft+)
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The ACIDO Rocket competition featured 39 of the top Industrial Design graduates from four schools across Ontario.
1 of 100 Participants from around the Globe
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The most diverse assembly of innovations with the power to change the world. 100 projects designed by Undergraduates and Graduates from over 50 countries around the world were showcased in Dubai.