Effects of directional haptic and non-speech audio cues in a cognitively demanding navigation task

Abstract

Existing car navigation systems require visual or auditory attention. Providing the driver with directional cues could potentially increase safety. We conducted an experiment comparing directional haptic and non-speech audio cues to visual cueing in a navigation task. Participants (N=16) drove the Lane Change Test simulator with different navigational cues. The participants were to recognize the directional cue (left or right) by responding as fast as possible using a tablet. Reaction times and errors were measured. The participants were also interviewed about the different cues and filled up the NASA-TLX questionnaire. The results showed that in comparison to visual cues all the other cues were reacted to significantly faster. Haptic only cueing resulted in the most errors, but it was evaluated as the most pleasant and the least physically demanding. The results suggest that non-visual cueing could improve safety.