Evaluation of a User-adaptive Light-based Interior Concept for Supporting Mobile Office Work during Highly Automated Driving

Walocha, Fabian; Nguyen, Hoai Phuong; Drewitz, Uwe; Ihme, Klas Arne · 2022 · Crossref

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1002486

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Summary

This study investigates how adaptive interior lighting can support mobile office (MO) work in highly automated vehicles (HAVs). As autonomous driving frees passengers from constant vigilance, vehicle interiors are expected to transform into spaces for productivity or leisure. The research addresses the question of whether users prefer systems that automatically adapt to their activities (adaptive) or those that allow manual control (adaptable). The authors evaluated these concepts alongside a standard baseline setup to determine their impact on user experience, usability, stress, and preference. The evaluation was conducted using a driving simulator equipped with a modular vehicle mock-up designed for MO tasks. The interior featured a revolving seat, a collapsible keyboard, and a custom lighting system comprising a focus dome light and adjustable ambient lighting with warm (relaxing) and cold (stimulating) modes. Thirteen participants performed a simulated email task during automated highway driving. The study employed a within-subjects design comparing three conditions: a baseline where only the dome light could be manually toggled; an adaptable version allowing manual control of both focus and ambient lights via a tablet interface; and an adaptive version where lighting changed automatically based on task activity using a Wizard-of-Oz approach. Participants completed standardized questionnaires measuring user experience, usability, and stress after each scenario. Results indicated significant differences in user experience and preference. The adaptable system scored highest on pragmatic qualities, reflecting its utility and ease of use, and was ranked as the most preferred option overall. In contrast, the adaptive system received the highest ratings for hedonic qualities, suggesting users associated the automatic adjustments with positive, empathetic feelings. The baseline setup performed worst in both pragmatic and hedonic assessments. No significant differences were found regarding overall usability or experienced stress across the three conditions, likely due to the small sample size. The findings suggest that while automatic adaptation enhances the emotional appeal of the vehicle interior, users prioritize control and practical utility. The authors propose that future designs should combine both approaches, such as allowing users to set personal preferences that are then triggered adaptively, or providing system recommendations rather than enforcing changes. This hybrid approach could mitigate the potential annoyance of mismatched automatic settings while preserving the perceived empathy of adaptive systems. The study highlights the importance of balancing automation with user agency in designing interiors for automated mobility.

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