A physiologically aware and familiar interface for long distance drivers

Kasey QuonRachel Quon

User

• Driver who is driving long distance/for a long time

• Driver who is alone (no other passengers)

• Driver who might not be in their own car/switches cars

Problem

• Staying awake and alert on a road trip for a long period of time

• Driving in an unfamiliar car

Technology of the car

• The car is a standard car- generation two

• Hidden autonomy

Technology of the interface

• The steering wheel contains sensors to calculate heart rate, grip, skin conductance

• The dock contains a cord to hook up to cell phone/personal device

• The Wide Awake application on the phone responds to self reports by the driver and voice recognition

• Based on the various physiological sensors of heart rate, grip (muscle tension), and skin conductance, the interface will detect the changes and respond by providing entertainment (via specialized dock) and/or change the temperature of the car

• The car will have a specialized/personalized dock that connects to the driver's cell phone that directly transfers the phone screen to the dock making it appear the same, which can respond to the driver's self reports

What does Wide Awake do?

Meet truck driver.

Bob is a middle-aged 40 year old truck driver. He is passionate about his job and loves travelling to new places, but sometimes, he doesn't have enough energy to stay alert and awake during his 10+ hour drives. He drives different trucks and all of his drives are alone, so there is no one to keep him company and check on how he is doing. His family and co-workers are worried for his safety.

Wide Awake provides a different steering wheel- one that contains sensors to measure the driver's heart rate, skin conductance, and hand grip.

Sensors

For consistency, each Wide Awake dock contains a cord to connect the driver's cell phone. Before the car can start, the driver must plug in his/her cell phone. Once it is connected, the cell phone screen shows up on the dock screen.

Bob already has an idea -or conceptual model- of how the car dock screen works due to the familiarity of being the same as the cell phone.

• Wide Awake increases safety. It recognizes that the person is driving and automatically shuts down the texting capabilities. Wide Awake knows that driving should be the primary task.

• Wide Awake will use Bob's downloaded applications stored within his cell phone to keep Bob awake and alert.

• Wide Awake gives support and feedback to Bob.

Texting capabilities are OFF and sends auto responses to people who try to contact Bob.

When Bob loses motivation...But, Wide Awake will remind him "You've made $30 in the past hour!" This energizes and engages Bob to keep on driving!

Through Bob's tone of voice, heart rate, grip of steering wheel, and skin conductance, Wide Awake can detect how Bob is feeling and respond accordingly. If Bob is feeling calm, Wide Awake will respond in a calm manner. Wide Awake will try to match his emotion and respond accordingly. Wide Awake will not try to change his emotion dramatically.

Heart rate > detects low intensity of sensory stimuli

When Bob starts to drift into a slumber, Wide Awake immediately reacts and does a variety of things. Wide Awake can play music from his previously saved playlists, read a book, change the temperature of the truck and/or blow air conditioning. Bob's preferences can be automatically determined based on his emotional reactions to the interface (Brave & Nass).

WA: Based on your decreased heart rate, I'm going to play your "Feel Alive" playlist.

WA: Continue to play or change?

Bob: Continue to play!

Wide Awake provides a familiar dock interface via Bob's cell phone. Since Bob's cell phone is plugged in as the car dock, he is familiar and more comfortable. He can use his map application to retrieve directions. His music is readily available for him to browse verbally or by using the screen.

Bob: Take me to the closest Target.

WA: Target is 21

miles away. Turn

right at the next

stop.

Wide Awake checks up on Bob asking how he is doing. If he says he's not doing OK, Wide Awake can provide a few suggestions like "Let's pull over a take a break and nap" or "Let's get some food into your system". If Bob still isn't doing alright, Wide Awake will immediately contact the police and a team will come to Bob's rescue.

1. Wide Awake recognizes Bob's heart rate decrease. It asks Bob "How are you doing?" and gives the option button "Help".

2. Bob is not doing well. He is very tired. He needs help. He presses the button.

3. Wide Awake empathizes with Bob and understands his needs. WA suggests taking a nap and gives Bob a list of options where to stop.