Using sonic interaction in drivervehicleinterfaces to reducevisual distraction

Abstract: This thesis has been executed at AB Volvo Advanced Technology and Research-Driver Environment & Human Factors as a part of the FFI (Strategic Vehicle Research) project SICS (Safe Interaction Connectivity and State). It describes a study which examined if adding sound will reduce the visual distraction in menu interfaces. Two concepts have been studied in comparison to each other and to a baseline without sounds. The sound added to the interface was spearcons (time compressed speech sounds) and earcons (musical sounds). A simulator study was carried out containing 14 participants between the ages of 36-59 who had to, while driving, perform 6 different tasks that involved interacting with the interface menus. Results showed that the performed tasks caused much less visual distraction from the road while having the spearcons as assistance. The earcons results showed no improvement.