Designing for a Convenient In-Car Passenger Experience: A Repertory Grid Study

Berger, Melanie; Pfleging, Bastian; Bernhaupt, Regina · 2021 · Crossref

DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-85616-8_9

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Summary

This study addresses the lack of systematic understanding regarding passenger convenience in manually driven cars. While automotive research has historically prioritized driver safety and experience, the authors note that over half of car rides involve passengers. To bridge this gap, the paper investigates the specific factors that constitute a "convenient" passenger experience, defined as a state of coziness, comfort, and relaxation. The research aims to identify these factors to inform the design of in-car systems and services that enhance passenger well-being beyond traditional user experience metrics. The authors employed a repertory grid study with 32 participants aged 22 to 77, conducted in person or online. This method elicits personal constructs by having participants compare different riding situations. The study utilized six elements: three predefined scenarios (short rides with parents, long rides with friends, and an ideal convenient ride) and three participant-defined situations. Participants generated contrasting word pairs (constructs) to differentiate these scenarios and rated the importance of each construct on a 7-point Likert scale. The researchers performed qualitative content analysis to categorize the elicited constructs and quantitative analysis to determine frequency and correlations among categories. The analysis yielded 1,520 constructs grouped into nine overarching categories. The most frequently cited factors were "Technology & Equipment" (510 constructs), emphasizing access to infotainment, personal devices, and climate control, and "Physical Comfort" (451 constructs), focusing on seating, space, and temperature. Other significant categories included "Well-being" (211 constructs), "Trip" characteristics (181), and "Social" interactions (154). Statistical analysis revealed strong positive correlations between well-being and physical comfort, as well between technology availability and physical comfort. Interviews further highlighted that passengers value the ability to act as co-drivers, access shared controls, view the landscape, and integrate external technology. The findings confirm that while safety and physical comfort remain foundational, passenger convenience is significantly driven by access to technology and the ability to personalize the ride. The authors derive design recommendations for automotive interfaces, suggesting that manufacturers should prioritize shared functionalities between drivers and passengers, dedicated passenger applications, and seamless connectivity. These insights provide a structured framework for designing next-generation in-car systems that cater to the holistic needs of passengers, moving beyond driver-centric models to create more convenient and engaging riding experiences.

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• passenger effects

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• Applied Guidance: design guidelines
• Empirical Findings: self report data