Introducing Multimodal Sliding Index: Qualitative Feedback, Perceived Workload, and Driving Performance with an Auditory Enhanced Menu Navigation Method

Sardesai, Ruta R.; Gable, Thomas M.; Walker, Bruce N. · 2017 · Crossref

DOI: 10.21785/icad2017.029

archive: archived pipeline: cataloged verified

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Summary

This study addresses the safety concerns associated with distracted driving, specifically focusing on the visual and cognitive demands of navigating list-based menus on mobile devices. While traditional touch-based interactions like flicking require drivers to take their eyes off the road, auditory menus offer a potential solution. The researchers introduced and evaluated a novel "multimodal sliding index" interface, which combines a letter-based sliding index (allowing users to jump to specific sections of an alphabetically sorted list) with auditory cues, including speech index (Spindex) and text-to-speech (TTS). The primary research question was whether this multimodal approach would reduce perceived workload and improve driving performance compared to standard flicking interactions, particularly in a multitasking driving context. The experiment employed a 2x2 within-subjects factorial design involving 23 participants with valid driver’s licenses. Participants performed a secondary task of finding a specific song in a list on a mobile phone while completing a primary driving simulation task using a steering wheel and pedals. The two independent variables were interaction type (flicking vs. sliding index) and display type (visual-only vs. visual plus Spindex+TTS). Performance metrics included accuracy and completion time for the phone task, as well as longitudinal and lateral deviation, brake response time, and eyes-on-road percentage for the driving task. Perceived workload was measured using the NASA Task Load Index (TLX), and qualitative data were collected via semi-structured interviews to assess user preferences and usability issues. The results indicated no significant differences between conditions in terms of phone task accuracy or completion time, nor in driving performance metrics such as lateral/longitudinal deviation or eyes-on-road time. However, significant differences were found in perceived workload. The sliding index interaction resulted in significantly lower mental workload compared to flicking. Conversely, conditions utilizing Spindex+TTS auditory cues resulted in higher perceived physical workload than visual-only conditions. Qualitative analysis revealed that participants found flicking tiresome and distracting, whereas the sliding index allowed them to feel more attentive to the road. However, users reported that auditory cues were initially distracting and unfamiliar, with some preferring to ignore them. Participants also noted that the sliding index had a high penalty for error, as selecting the wrong letter caused a jarring jump to a different section of the list. The study concludes that while the multimodal sliding index does not currently offer superior objective performance compared to flicking, it significantly reduces mental workload, making it a potentially safer option for in-vehicle technology use. The lack of performance differences suggests the new interface is at least as safe as current methods. The authors attribute the higher physical workload and initial user resistance to auditory cues to a lack of familiarity, suggesting that performance and acceptance may improve with practice. The findings highlight the need for interface refinements, such as increasing the error margin for the sliding index and optimizing auditory cues to be less intrusive, to balance user preference with safety requirements.

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Topics

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• auditory
• feedback modes
• haptic feedback
• voice interaction
• visual manual
• mental demand

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• Applied Guidance: design guidelines
• Empirical Findings: self report data
• Theoretical Contribution: theory or model