Title: User-centred design and evaluation of automotive seat adjustment controls

Authors: Mark A. Williams, Alex Attridge, Matthew Pitts

Addresses: WMG, The School of Engineering, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK. ' WMG, The School of Engineering, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK. ' WMG, The School of Engineering, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK

Abstract: This paper considers the design of seat adjustment controls, as part of an EPSRC-funded research project investigating the future of Human–Machine Interfaces (HMIs) in the premium automotive industry. The study takes a user-centred approach to collecting customer data relating to controls on existing vehicles, and applies sensory science techniques in an automotive engineering arena to address the affective elements of seat adjustment control design. A 101-participant customer clinic event was therefore held, with additional data sourced from a commercial survey. The data sets are analysed to make recommendations relating to functional and emotional aspects of seat adjustment control design.

Keywords: HMI; human–machine interface; user-centred design; user experience; design guidelines; user trials; content analysis; automotive seats; seat adjustment controls; vehicle design; premium automobile industry; sensory science; functional aspects; emotional aspects; vehicle seating.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.2011.040579

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 2011 Vol.55 No.2/3/4, pp.119 - 138

Published online: 10 Apr 2015 *

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