2024-01-22 17:22:46
Image of the interior of the new 2024 Lincoln Nautilus, which will include a 48-inch screen across the entire width of the car. Photo: Courtesy of Ford.
Modern cars are often described as “computers on wheels.” They come with automated driver assistance systems, large screens, Internet connections and plenty of ways to sync with smartphones.
However, in the race to innovate and outperform the competition with increasingly new technologies, it may have gone too far. Some advances have made driving safer, but others veer towards technological excesses that can harm drivers. Current-generation cars can be more expensive to repair, harder to understand and drive, and, according to some experts in the field, more likely to cause distractions and driver disengagement.
It seems that the automobile industry is ignoring these problems and even making them worse.
This week we learned that Ford is regarding to change what drivers will see when they get behind the wheel of some of its vehicles. A new display that will stretch the entire width of the car aims to reinvent the way drivers get information. It will include the speedometer and other critical indicators, navigation and applications such as Spotify, streaming video and even the possibility of connecting controllers to play video games. This system It consists of a 48-inch screen.
You can even play video games on the car screens. Photo: Courtesy of Ford.
Last week, Mercedes announced something similar. During the CES in Las Vegas, Markus Schäfer, the brand’s Chief Technology Officer, held a brief meeting with Autocar where he presented certain technological details that they will incorporate in their future generation of electric vehicles.
“At Mercedes we are still on a trajectory where you see even more screens in the car,” said Schäfer. “Mercedes will use continuous screens from left to right. That’s the next evolution of our Hyperscreen displays. It will provide a truly impressive experience. This screen is a very essential part for us, at least for the next few years,” said the person in charge. This decision will mean that the car dashboard will lack buttons.
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Vadim Weiss, Mercedes-Benz USA, demonstrates the company’s new operating system, MBOS 1, during the CES technology show on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)
In addition to the significant wow factor that the vehicle’s Hyperscreen provides consumers, a touchscreen in the center console offers a high-tech display that allows the front seat passenger to watch movies. The Hyperscreen is designed with advanced voice commands and eye tracking technology. If the driver takes his eyes off the road and starts watching the movie, the system will automatically turn it off. As soon as the driver returns his attention to the road, the movie will be activated once more. However, no one in their right mind watches a movie while driving, but they do check out the bright screen to see the GPS map or check notifications. Therein lies the real danger.
A safety concern, especially for older drivers
A large screen appeals to many consumers because of its sleek appearance, the ability to connect to apps and podcasts, and the ability to program the navigation system with a single touch. However, according to a study by the AAA Foundation, onboard infotainment systems can be very distracting. This is especially true for older drivers, who may not be as comfortable with all the technological advances as younger consumers.
The study revealed that drivers between the ages of 55 and 75 took their eyes and attention off the road for more than eight seconds than drivers between the ages of 21 and 36 when performing simple driving tasks such as changing the radio station or programming the navigation system. Given that a driver’s accident risk doubles just by taking their eyes off the road for two seconds, this is a very worrying statistic.
The AAA Foundation for Highway Safety collaborated with researchers at the University of Utah to determine the visual and cognitive demands created by six vehicles’ infotainment systems. Study participants were divided into two age groups: drivers aged 21 to 36 and drivers aged 55 to 75. Participants in each age group were asked to perform a series of tasks using the touch screen, including using voice commands, making a phone call, sending a text message, changing the radio station, and programming the system. navigation, all while driving the vehicle.
Researchers found that the technology caused unsafe distractions for all drivers, but the safety risk was most significant for older drivers. For example, older drivers took between 4.7 and 8.6 seconds longer than younger drivers to perform tasks such as making a call or programming the navigation system. Additionally, older drivers experienced slower response times and greater visual distractions.
Although the study suggests that large touchscreens are especially distracting to older drivers, design changes can be made to help drivers keep their eyes and attention on the road. According to AAA’s director of highway safety research and advocacy, it is not an age problem.
It is more of a design question. Improvements such as simplifying software menus, eliminating complex center console controls, and improving voice command technology would make these systems safer for all drivers and meet the specific needs of drivers. older drivers. Although it seems that it is much easier to make bigger and bigger screens…
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