This is my master thesis project which I did together with my coauthor and friend Alexander Mitton. The project involved an intensive research phase with literature study, observations of analogies to get ideas, an online survey and a creative workshop.

 

The research gave us a broad understanding of the problem and how a solution would exist of not only one product but a combination of different products. Sketches of the ideas of different haptic HMI solutions (communicating through touch) for the steering wheel, new innovative controls, wearables, pedals and modifications of the seat can be seen below.

 

Last but not least, we had a long iterative prototype phase were we developed different tests and built a range of prototypes to see the benefits of using a haptic control.

Some early prototyping work. Clay proved to be a good, but not optimal material when designing haptic devices.

Some refined prototypes made using the rapid prototyping methology. The box was used to seclude also senses except touch. Below is one of the test participants evaluating the prototypes after trying to recognize and remember the different patterns similar to a simplified brail language.

Sketch of the final prototype and programming/building it above. Finished prototype below.

The final test we developed was a little bit more complicated with a visual distraction test (identifing objects while driving virtually) which the participants had to do simultaneously.