A Survey of Driver Distraction and Inattention in Popular Commercial Software-Defined Vehicles
Lingyu Zhao, Yuankai He
TL;DR
The paper addresses the problem of driver distraction and inattention (DDI) in software-defined vehicles (SDVs) by surveying UI designs in popular commercial passenger vehicles. It surveys 17 models across 13 US-brand leaders, focusing on steering wheel, central console, and transmission interfaces to assess ergonomic and cognitive-load factors and evaluate mitigation strategies. The study identifies good design practices that reduce DDI and highlights areas for improvement, linking SDV-driven UI complexity to safety implications. The findings aim to guide researchers and OEMs toward UI designs that balance advanced software functionality with driver safety in the software-centric automotive era.
Abstract
As the automotive industry embraces software-defined vehicles (SDVs), the role of user interface (UI) design in ensuring driver safety has become increasingly significant. In crashes related to distracted driving, over 90% did not involve cellphone use but were related to UI controls. However, many of the existing UI SDV implementations do not consider Drive Distraction and Inattention (DDI), which is reflected in many popular commercial vehicles. This paper investigates the impact of UI designs on driver distraction and inattention within the context of SDVs. Through a survey of popular commercial vehicles, we identify UI features that potentially increase cognitive load and evaluate design strategies to mitigate these risks. This survey highlights the need for UI designs that balance advanced software functionalities with driver-cognitive ergonomics. Findings aim to provide valuable guidance to researchers and OEMs to contribute to the field of automotive UI, contributing to the broader discussion on enhancing vehicular safety in the software-centric automotive era.