Driver Distraction Test Rig for HMI studies

Driver distraction test rig is an automotive fascia analog for human machine interface studies, produced in conjunction with Swinburne University of Technology, GM Holden Innovation, and AutoCRC. The prototype will be used in the development and validation of test protocols for evaluating the level of driver distraction imposed by in-vehicle information systems. By means of modular interfacing technologies, spatial reconfiguration of radio/HVAC controls is achieved with robustness and flexibility. This will allow considerable testing to determine the consequences control positioning has with regard to the loss of attention concerning the primary task of driving. The design, manufacture, and implications of the project are discussed in this paper.