ABSTRACT
A vehicle is a complex machine consisting of over “30,000 parts” (Napa Know How Blog, 2020). It is not just a means of personal transportation but also an entertainment system. The interior alone has a variety of components from a dashboard that provides vital safety and operational information to light switches that control the physical environment. In-vehicle user experience is not just about a piece of software or hardware, but the users’ overall experience needs to be also considered. In this paper, the Nissan LEAF 2016 model is primarily examined as an example, focusing on non-operational components such as the dashboard and audio modal. The examination method includes a comparison to other electronic vehicles. In addition, the history of design and technology advancements is also explored to understand modern design, and potential improvements are discussed.
INTRODUCTION
Living in a society where the automobile is the main transportation for the majority of the population, having a comfortable and reliable car is essential. Due to the lack of infrastructure improvements to meet the high growth of major cities, the traffic is increasingly heavy. Often in metropolitan areas commuters spend up to five hours daily in their cars. This is nearly the equivalent amount of time spent at home on weekdays. Over the decades, the use of vehicles has changed from a pure transportation machine to a temporary mobile workplace
and an entertainment center. Digitization and Bluetooth technology have helped revolutionize Carmakers have been packing every single available system onto the console as Microsoft did in the 1990s. It may please the marketing departments, but more is not always better. While the vehicle dashboard is becoming more and more like an iPhone or an iPad, today’s in-vehicle UX design challenge should be taking advantage of constantly evolving technology to increase safety and conserve energy. This paper will outline how the driver experience for electronic vehicles has been forced to evolve beyond traditional gas-powered vehicles using a compact all-electronic vehicle 2016 Nissan LEAF as a primary example. It will focus on the dashboard, gamification, and audio and visual improvements.
HISTORY OF NISSAN
Nissan Motor Corporation founded by Yoshisuke Aikawa in 1933, showcased its first Japanese mass-produced model Datsun in 1959 at the Los Angeles Auto Show, becoming a globally competitive automobile producer during the 1960s (Stevens, 2009). After struggling to turn a profit for eight years and an accumulating debt of more than $20 billion, Nissan forged an alliance with a French automaker Renault in 1991. Renault executive, Carlos Ghosn was appointed as a new CEO. Under the new initiative "Nissan Revival Plan," approximately 15% of employees were laid off, five plants were closed, a number of small subsidiaries were sold off. Ghosn managed to turn the company around for profit in a mere three years, (Ghosn, 2002) which many leading economists consider one of the most spectacular corporate turnarounds in history.
At the 2008 annual general shareholders’ meeting, Nissan presented its new vision of becoming “a global leader in zero-emission vehicles,” presented as the best solution to meet the increasing global demand for more vehicles and the demand for a cleaner planet. “We will offer a range of high-quality products that are reliable, well engineered, attractive and fun to drive,” Ghosn promised to the audience (Nissan annual general shareholders’ meeting log, 2008). While Nissan had been manufacturing electronic cars since 1947, making a huge investment and committing to mass produce electronic vehicles was a major change to its business strategy.
On the design side, Ghosn recruited Shiro Nakamura from another Japanese automobile maker, Isuzu Motors to revive Nissan’s outdated design model. Under this new direction, more distinctive designs were encouraged which led to the creation of iconic models, such as the Nissan Cube, 350Z, GT-R, Murano, and Juke as well as LEAF (Stevens & Fujimoto, 2009).
Under Nakamura, Nissan came to prominence, becoming the first Japanese automaker to gain respect for its pace-setting designs rather than simply for engineering or quality (Patton, 2004). One of Nakamura’s creations, LEAF was the world's all time top selling electric car until 2019 and received a number of awards including “2011 World Car of the Year”(Wandell, 2018).IN-VEHICLE USER EXPERIENCE
Dashboard
With most vehicle parts hidden from the driver, the dashboard is the gateway in which all the essential information can be obtained. Today’s dashboard is complex and contains a diverse array of controls, gauges, and information. The early generation of vehicle dashboard included basic instruments indicating speed, fuel level, and oil pressure (Gibson, J.Butterfield, A.Marzano, 2016) due to space limitations compared to modern vehicles. The dashboard design was stagnant for decades until a major industry push in the early 1980s to replace mechanical clusters with all-electronic clusters (Green, 1996).
Digitization changed the dashboard design by allowing multiple sets of information to occupy the same space, displaying the data needed for specific situations. It shifted from static to dynamic design. In addition to increasing the complexity of the vehicle mechanics, electronic vehicles (EV) also require new types of data such as energy efficiency which will be discussed in the next section. The battery level information is especially important to EV drivers due to a paucity of recharging stations and few available recharging service vehicles. “Range anxiety” has evolved beyond running out of gas and is a new driver UX issue that electronic vehicles must also address.
Infotainment System
The LEAF’s Central Consol system also known as infotainment system provides navigation, audio entertainment, Bluetooth connection, and system control. The UI is simply designed and other than the poor initial Bluetooth connection, the console provides relatively small issues. While the LEAF or other Nissan models provide limited entertainment, Tesla pushed the console’s limit as an entertainment system which raised concerns from drivers as well as NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration). Besides DVD, Tesla allows games to be played on the console even while in motion. Its purpose is to entertain a passenger and declaration that the controller is a passenger is required. However, since checking the identification of a player is not possible, a driver who is stuck in the traffic, for example, may get tempted to play the game as well as it is a distraction to the driver even if a passenger controls the play. NHTSA statistics indicate that distracted driving was implicated in 3,142 deaths in the United States in 2019, out of a total of 36,096 road fatalities that year. The real number may be even higher, as some drivers may be reluctant to admit to being distracted. The main goal of the infotainment system should be safety and entertainment is best to be limited to audio.
ECO Indicator
The interesting case of gamification is seen on the dashboard where tree icons display the car’s energy efficiency. Digital Experience Consultant, Andrzej Marczewski defines gamification as “the application of gaming metaphors to real life tasks to influence behavior, improve motivation and enhance engagement” (Gamification, 2013). These tree icons are officially the ECO Indicator ”and it displays how economically the vehicle is being operated” (LEAF manual 2-10). Eco Mode software tracks energy consumption conditions such as accelerator pedal operation, brake pedal operation, driving conditions, and heater and air conditioner usage. There are primarily two types of indicators – instant and long term. The Instant ECO driving level is displayed by the number of bars that increase or decrease depending on vehicle operation. When the vehicle is operated fully in an economical way, the bars create a semi-circle. Long term ECO driving level is indicated by ECO TREE symbols. The longer the vehicle is operated economically, the more segments of the large ECO TREE are displayed. Nissan’s targeted consumers for the LEAF were environmentally conscious middle-aged owners.
While the meter is affected by six conditions including accelerator pedal operation (2016 LEAF owner’s manual), there is no indication of which condition is affecting the meter. Also, without reading the manual, there is no way for users to know the criteria. For example, an interesting discussion is posted about this topic on nissanLEAF.com, the official Nissan LEAF owners’ forum. A user who started the thread guessed that these represent carbon emission savings and wanted to know how it was calculated or exactly what it represented. Several others share their assumptions until one user posted the criteria found on the manual which is mentioned above. For eco-conscious drivers, it is beneficial to learn which of the six conditions is affecting the meter or at least so that the vehicle can be driven more efficiently.
Audio Feedback
The LEAF uses audio feedback in multiple ways. One of the most crucial sound features occurs when the vehicle is moving at a low speed. Auditory feedback is essential for electronic vehicles (EV) since the engine sound is very quiet while in motion at low speeds, unlike internal combustion engine vehicles. It is especially important for pedestrians with visual impairment. Nissan developed Approaching Vehicle Sound for Pedestrians (VSP) system in 2010 to provide good detectability for pedestrians while maintaining a quiet environment. The sound was designed with five criteria; 1. Sound is recognizable as a vehicle 2. Sound pitch is proportional to vehicle speed 3. Similar sound level as ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) vehicle 4. Sound has a futuristic image, 5. Easily audible for pedestrians (young and elderly) under various ambient sounds, yet maintains a quiet environment for drivers and neighborhoods (Tabata, Konet, & Konuma, 2010).
As a result, forward motion VSP is a combination of a whirring tone and a whooshing white noise. The LEAF emits a sound when it starts to move and stops when it reaches speeds of approximately 19 mph while accelerating. The sound is also produced when the vehicles’ speed is under 16 mph while decelerating. It is audible when standing outside the car but nearly inaudible inside with the windows up. Nissan’s goal was to create VSP that is audible yet does not disturb the neighborhood. It archived the latter; however, the sound is not always noticed by pedestrians in a busy area such as a shopping center parking lot. To address the issue, a new VSP system ‘Canto’ is integrated into a 2021 model. It stayed with a futuristic theme but the sound is noticeably louder compared to the original version.
Nissan took a completely different approach for the Reverse motion VSP and implemented short interval sounds, drivers commonly refer to as beeps or chimes. Unlike forward motion VSP, reverse motion VSP continues even when the vehicle is at a complete stop. Though the display of the center multi-function control panel switches to the rearview camera, a pedestrian may be in a blindspot and not visible to the driver. Utilizing an exterior speaker, the reverse VSP is audible both interior and exterior and it notifies a driver that the vehicle is in the reverse gear and also function as a warning to pedestrians. In comparison, the 2006 model of Toyota Prius’s reverse motion warning sound can be only heard from the interior and fails to warn pedestrians.
Engine start melody is a unique feature not seen on the combustion engine vehicles. The Intelligent Key system allows the driver to start the EV system by pressing a button while depressing the brake pedal, without physically using the key. Without depressing the brake pedal, the power for the non-engine system such as AC and windows can be turned on. When the power is on but not the engine, a single tone sounds. When the engine is turned on, it sounds the 3-second long melody sounds that the vehicle is fully operable to differentiate the state.
Audio feedback is also used for a warning. The LEAF notifies the driver using a sound combined with a flashing warning icon. Since visual cognitive load is limited for the driver while driving, using a combination of a sound and visual creates best outcome for a warning that requires immediate attention.
Charging Status Indicator Lights
Three lines on top of the dashboard demonstrate the status of battery charging, visible from both interior and exterior. When a charge connector is inserted correctly, all lights flash concurrently with three beeping sounds. Nissan, Chevy, and Fiat are the only major manufacturers that place charging status indicators on the dashboard which provide 200 degrees of visibility. In comparison, carmakers including Tesla, Ford, Honda, and Toyota selected the charging port area to place indicators which are only visible from about 30 degrees around the car. Instead, they rely heavily on the apps connected to the car to show the charging status.
None of the current EV makers display the estimated remaining time to fully charge the vehicle on the vehicle itself. This may be due to the utilization of a wireless communication device called TCU (Telematics Communication Unit). The communication connection between the vehicle and the NISSAN Data Center enabled various remote function services. The models with the navigation system has the capability to check the battery charge status on the NISSAN Data Center web portal as well as infotainment and climate control (2016 LEAF owner’s manual). It is a convenient feature; however, registration and monthly subscriptions to the NissanConnect EV service were required to enable it. The setup includes a phone call to customer service to prove the car ownership which could be cumbersome. (PC Magazine, pcmag.com, 2017) Also, the monthly subscription fee of $11.99 to $24.99 per month may not be worth the cost to many when the infotainment part of the service such as navigation and satellite music can be easily obtained through a smart phone.
Interior lights
The interior of the LEAF can be lit by the Map Lights and the Room Light. Map Lights are located by the front window, in between the driver and the passenger seat, and turned on manually by pressing the button. When the car is turned off, these lights are automatically turned on which allows users to see the interior without manually turning on the lights. The lights remain on for 5 seconds which is sufficient time for a driver to grab items and leave the car before the lights turn off automatically. After 6 years of use, the mileage per full charge of the 2016 LEAF is 88 miles requiring the car recharged at the end of most driving. In order to charge the car, the Charge Port Lid Opener Switch which, is located on the left bottom of the wheel must be pressed. Unfortunately, the overhead lights do not illuminate the left side of the wheel. Unless the location of the button is memorized, a driver is unable to find the switch. Placing illumination behind the button panel or a lit button similar to the Power button would solve the issue.
Since having a bright interior affects the driver’s vision and incandescent light bulb life being short, automobile makers haven’t generally implemented unique lighting systems till recent years. The LEAF has helpful standard functions such as lights which turn on when the doors are opened and doors unlocked with the Intelligent Key; however, there are no unique mentionable functions being installed. Using unique ambient interior lighting is one of the ways to differentiate from other manufactures. Virgin Atlantic, for example, is famous for using the pink ambient light to make the interior of the simple airplane look like a nightclub. Some high end car makers such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Porsche started experimenting with ambient lights in recent years. (https://www.motortrend.com/features/best-ambient-lighting/) BMW X7 is installed with lightting around the door handle-area, front footwell, illuminated driver and front-passenger vanity mirrors, providing nine interior light designs. On the mainstream side, Chevrolet Camaro, Volkswagen Jetta, and Kia Soul (GT-Line Turbo only) are some of the models that come with interesting ambient lighting. These would create the futuristic look that the Nissan LEAF strives for and solve the Charge Port Lid Opener Switch visibility issues.
Unlocking doors using a physical button and a smart key
The keyless entry system has been around since the 1980s. It used infrared technology which could be easily blocked. It was phased out by radio control based Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) Systems in the early 1990s. The first remote controls used no cryptography and it was not difficult to attack the systems. The next generation of RKE system, so-called rolling code systems, was developed in mid 1990s by Siemens and first utilized by Mercedes-Benz under the name "Keyless Go." It employed cryptography and a counter value which increased the system’s security. Soon, the keyless entry system was adapted by vehicles of all shapes and sizes, from a humble Nissan LEAF to a luxurious SLR McLaren.
The LEAF’s keyless entry system is called the “Intelligent Key.” It is an oval shape resembling a Leaf and a physical key is hidden inside, allowing a driver to open the door even when a key’s battery runs out and becomes not detectable by a security system. The doors can be unlocked in two ways using the Intelligent Key system. One way is by either pressing a button fitted in the handle while having the key in proximity. The other method is by pressing a button on the key.
A Request Switch button is located on the door handle. Since a car key may be inaccessible for many, the primary way to unlock the LEAF is using this method. There are four methods to unlock the doors by pressing a button.
Pressing once on the driver’s door unlocks the driver’s side door.
Pressing twice on the driver’s door unlocks all doors and the hatch.
Pressing once on the passenger's door unlocks a passenger door.
Pressing twice on the passenger's door opens all doors and the hatch.
It may seem orderly and logical but a simpler method would involve one push of a button to open all doors and the hatch. Unless a driver lives in a dangerous area, there is no reason for the default to open all the doors. According to Nissan, “the [most] 2011 Nissan LEAF owner is a young Baby Boomer, aged around 45 years old. With an average income of $125,000 a year, the average LEAF owner has owned his or her home and has garage space for the LEAF’s charger” (https://www.greencarreports.com/). This is the information of early adopters, but unless the demography of LEAF owners has drastically changed, typical LEAF owners live and work in safe suburbs rather than dangerous inner cities.
Future of in-vehicle UX
Former Nissan Chief Designer, Shiro Nakamura predicted that automobile will continue to evolve at pace and will become increasingly more diverse. “Driving is not just about transportation, it’s an experience. The customers want more choice and that will never stop,” he said. Personalization and diversification of in-vehicle features will also progress as digitization and convergence of external technologies. Lastly, soon lidar, AI, and machine learning will be part of most cars, and these require new approaches to visualization. The automobile industry has come a long way in terms of incorporating new technology, however, there is a room for improvement for sure.
CONCLUSION
As our society and technology evolved, vehicles have been through major transformations over the decades. Digital transformation disrupted the industry as automotive technologies matured. The machine invented purely for transportation purposes has become more than a vehicle – a complex machine that provides information, entertainment, and communication. In addition, the emergence of electronic vehicles has added complexity and new challenges. As global warming worsens, the need to reduce carbon footprints has increased, as well as eco conscious drivers’ concerns about sustainability. Unfortunately, advances in technology has increased driving distractions while simultaneously providing convenience. In-vehicle UX design should focus on safety as well as convenience by controlling the cognitive load of the driver. In this paper, dashboard, gamification, and the audio and visual improvements were examined. Using a multimodal system and simplification of design the users’ experience and safety will be improved.
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