Despite quantitatively analyzing the efficacy of new technologies in real-time, they will be preferred and adopted in industries only if the technologies are accepted by the consumers (drivers). A qualitative study on wearable laser-controller based Head-Down Display (HDD) and eye gaze-controlled Head-Up Display (HUD) contributed to explore and understand concerns of professional drivers in India and how these concerns could be addressed. Drivers reported about higher response and malfunctioning of touchscreen at crucial times like during picking up passengers and not meeting their psychological needs like desire for control, positive moods and so on. It was found that wearable laser-controller based HDD contributed to lowering technological anxiety by enhancing the notion of safety. Familiarity and learnability facilitate ease of use for eye gaze-controlled HUD. The ability of participants to move freely in the seat to use an interaction system influences their notion of perceived risk of accidents, which could be further improved by accurate and quick selection of icons. Our study also gave insights about the purchasing power of professional drivers. The factors influencing buying motives were also discovered. All these findings helped to form a theory of acceptance and further improve wearable laser-controlled HDD and gaze-controlled HUD.

Objective:

• Qualitative research undertaken to understand and develop models of acceptance of the HUD & HDD technology

• Conducted semi structured interview of professional drivers

• The interview questionnaire consisted of open ended questions

• The questions were formulated after thorough review of literature in the area

• 11 participants were recruited for the study

Sample Memo:

"The driver is on the way in traffic to pick up one of his passengers. in the traffic the gaps between the car is less so because of that according to the driver his eyes have always to be on the road that increases the concentration required to drive according to the drivers. it requires double the concentration and it also leads to diversion of mind this leads to confusion and they are not able to remember the names of the landmarks that the passengers told them also a number of times the passengers do not stay on the Destination and pickup point. According to the participants it is difficult for them to understand the landmark’s name also looking at the screen is difficult. with traffic in the city when the passenger is there in the car it is equivalent to an emergency an important scenario for them windows touch screen is not working when it comes to working when it comes to making the Maps work it is very frustrating for them at the same time they will receive calls so they have to manage the car they also have to get district directions over the call from the passengers which makes it very difficult and this is daily and everyday use for every pickup and drop. they have to look at the Maps they also have to talk on the phone and follow their directions look around for spots for landmark and after all this they have to spot the correct landmark on the other hand they always have duty tension they have to fulfil the duty properly and also see if the gaps between the car is less prevent accidents and focus properly they have to constantly engage in all these processes still the passenger is seated in the vehicle but The thing is that during all this the focus should be on the road and in driving so with touch it slows down the entire process and then the attention is mostly drained by the device so it is very practical so it seems very useful and also very easy to use."

Publications:

• Prabhakar, G., Rajkhowa, P., Harsha, D. and Biswas, P. A wearable virtual touch system for IVIS in cars. Journal of Multimodal User Interface, Springer, 2021, ISSN 1783-8738. DOI: 10.1007/s12193-021-00377-9