MoDyS-Project MT-GOMS

Car-Infotainment Assessment with Multitasking-GOMS

A new GOMS based modeling approach is developed and applied to the assesment of infotainment systems in cars. A modified version of the D2 test of attention is used in a car simulator experiment to validate the multitasking-GOMS parametrization. Modeling tools for GOMS like task analysis and new GOMS simulator are implemented.

Future developments in automotive industry are facilitated by electronics and information technology. This implicates an increasing need for user interfaces. The potential distraction of new interfaces has to be taken into account in the development of new interactive systems. In this project we develop a methodology for simulation based assessment of usability and potential distraction of new interfaces. We simulate the timing of user/interface interaction with models of the task, the user, and driving situations. The advantage of simulations compared to user studies is that they can be applied in early stages of system development. The current trend in the automotive industry to introduce model driven development processes makes it even possible to ground simulations on the formal specifications of nex systems and their interfaces.

To achieve this the GOMS methodology is deployed. Since car driving is a task where several cognitive ressources are involved we use the CPM-GOMS framework. We accumulate data for operators suited to in-car interaction. The CPM-GOMS approach is extended for the multi-tasking demands of the car driving environment. The notation for GOMS models and the simulator are enhanced with elements for multi-tasking scheduling.

We conduct research for modeling task switching behaviour and timing with a modified D2 test of attention. An experiment is being conducted in a vibroaccoustic driving simulator. An additional experimental display has been mounted in the center console of the simulator car. This display shows stimuli of different diffuculty. The task is to detect items showing a "d" with two marks while driving in the simulator. The subjects have to react by pressing buttons in the center console.

Condition 1: one line of items, question applies only the center item of this line; decision yes or no (D2 or not).
Condition 2: one line of items, all items have to be examined (sequence of yes/no); an additional RESET button can be used to restart the line.
Condition 3: Five lines, all items have to be examined. There is an additional display that shows which line is to be examined. Ths condition also features the RESET button.

Theese conditions simulate different demands of interface interaction. If requirements of the driving task interrupt interaction with the display the driver has to remember at which item he or she left the secondary task.

• Urbas, L., Schulze-Kissing, D., Leuchter, S., Kiefer, J., Dzaack, J., Heinath, M. (accepted). Erfassung Residualer Ressourcen Profile zur Modellierung von Fahrerassistenzsystem-Nutzung unter Fahrbedingungen. Tagung experimentell arbeitender Psychologen/Symposium Automatisierung und Assistenz im Fahrzeug.
• Urbas, L, & Schulze-Kissing, D. (2005). Entwurfsunterstützung durch Bedienermodellierung im KFZ-Bereich. Seminar VF Mensch-Technik-Information. 19.01.2005, Chemnitz.
• Leuchter, S., Schulze-Kissing, D. & Urbas, L. (2004). Entwurfsunterstützung durch Bedienermodellierung im Kraftfahrzeug-Bereich. In Grandt, M. (Ed), Verlässlichkeit der Mensch-Maschine-Interaktion (pp. 87-95). Bonn: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DGLR Bericht; 2004-03).