ABSTRACT
This book began by documenting the development of in-vehicle information, from the first speedometer to the touch screens and rotary dials of contemporary vehicles. From the research conducted as part of this work, it is clear that Ergonomics has always had a significant role to play in the development of the motor vehicle and with the proliferation of information and functionality available to the twenty-first century driver, Ergonomics now more than ever has the potential to exert significant positive influence on the safety, efficiency, and enjoyment of driving. In light of the recent developments in in-vehicle interaction technologies, namely, the shift from hard dashboard controls to digital screen-based systems, the main aim of the work presented in this book was to investigate how the usability of these technologies can be modelled and evaluated. In realising this aim, it was essential to take account of the unique dual-task scenario produced by driving and simultaneously interacting with secondary in-vehicle tasks. The main findings of the work are summarised below, followed by a discussion of the implications of the research based around some key questions that arose during the development of the book. Finally, key areas for future research are presented.
