[Sigia-l] Pillars of Ergonomics

[Dave]

> One reason why many/all functions may not be consolidated into a single
> screen is that if that screen fails (heck, it could be running Windows :-),
> then the driver is in big trouble, bigger than if one of many instruments
> fails. The other reason is that multiple instruments allow the driver to
> *scan* multiple kinds of info simultaneously and everything is visible, but
> like tabs and menus, a multi-function screen obscures what it's not
> displaying at the moment. Unless you manage to cram all that info into a
> single screen, then "visibility" is greatly reduced.

since I'm not feeling too defensive at the moment, (a rare phenomena,
I will let Eric's comments about HTML go the way side.)

Regarding interaction design for a console in a car, I would be the
first to say that I do not have a complete enough grasp of the
technologies involved in putting together automotive devices. My story
was only meant to help people understand what I do. For the time being
(hopefully temporarily) I'm a web application interaction designer and
my expertise in HTML is invaluable to my ability to be able to
communicate designs and thus ensure buy-in from key developmental
personnel. This is but one reason.

That aside, Ziya, quote above is an interesting requirement. When I
was in the car envisioning my "new" console. I had two visions:

1. Take your standard navigation screen size used in many cars today
and use that space for all your devices. The reason for this is that
in reality for any given driver there is really only one sweet spot on
the console to manipulate. This in tandem with steerwheel controls I
felt that there might be something workable. The way I imagined a
primary screen was to do some fancy "portlet" design where the
complete controls which we barely ever use would not be available, but
rather a subset for each of the 3-4 devices would be there with the
ability to "drill down" into the primary application to see the
remaining set when stated.

2. The other vision was slightly more radical b/c the technology is
either not there, or too expensive. This one basically replaces the
entire center part of the dashboard where we traditionally put these
controls (though I did like what the Pacifica did in terms of putting
the navigational display in the speedometer) and make it made of
material that is a screen. All 3-4 devices would have their controls
both here and in tandem on the steering column/wheel. This one takes
on Ziya's issues much better.

Here's the other problem w/ "touch screens" for many controls in an
automobile. Moving objects even while in a horizontal vector always
move up and down along their path, and tangible controls are easier to
manager during the bumpiness of a ride.

To me this is all a game. I look at a design and I do a heuristic as
best my abilities at any given time allow me and then let my
imagination go to work.

-- dave