Unfortunately, Nancy, I don't think this trend can be turned around. Consider the National Transportation Safety Board's declaration in 2011 that it wanted to outlaw phones and other electronic distractions in the vehicle. The result in the popular media -- radio shows, newspaper columns -- bordered on revolt. People aren't about to give up their phones. I agree with you that it would make drivers better if we forced them to stow their mobile phones in the trunk while driving (so they could use them in emergencies), but it's just not going to happen. That's why automakers are spending millions of dollars developing less distracting ways to use these new technologies. They're resigned to the fact that they aren't going to eliminate the distraction; they can only make it less so.
Here's a thought...let's focus on DRIVING when we are in the car driving. Why do we feel like we have to constantly be connected or entertained?
This said from just coming in from driving behind a car that was randomly braking in front of us in free flowing traffic. We pull up beside her to go around and guess what she was doing...you already know the answer -
How many fatalities is it going to take to reverse this trend?
I agree with you, notarboca. Scripting could definitely be a driver distraction. There are two types of distractions -- visual and cognitive. This is not a visual distraction, but it is certainly a cognitive distraction.
Beth, I would go for voice over script as well. My concern is that "scripting" may also be somewhat of a driver distraction (not as much as texting, though).
Yes,, I can understand how the touchpad would be more in most cases. I find that voice recognition usually has some non-intuitive aspects to it, while most touch-based systems seem logical.
I agree about script commands being superior to voice commands, Beth. By putting the script command pad on the armrest, I would guess they're trying to reduce driver distraction. Cool idea.
I agree, and the reverse interaction would have to be by "voice", since you wouldn't want the driver taking their eyes off the road.
The interaction might go something like this:
User: R
Car (confirming recognition): Radio
User: S
Car: Station
User: R
Car: 93-X
I fear that the users would have to be trained on this method of interaction before it could be installed/enabled in their car. I think that blindly drawing the letters with your finger would be distracting, until you got good enough at it to do it without thinking. Don't get me wrong, I don't think it would take very long. But I think it would definitely be a hazard until the user acheived proficiency.
Charles, when you trace R for radio or N for naviagation, it seems like you are only part way there - how do you change a station or enter an address with your eyes on the road? What am I missing?
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