An investigation into the use of the car as a mobile office

Abstract

In today’s business environment people can no longer afford to be ‘out of touch’ when they are away from the office, with the result, the car has become a mobile office for many workers. The aims of this study were • to review current technology in the mobile office, • to determine problems of office working in the car, • to offer design solutions. Case studies gained an insight into working practices and problems in the car. Diaries quantified the types and amounts of work done in the car and an interview survey measured the extent of mobile office technology implemented into cars, problems relating to working in the car and some potential solutions. People do experience problems trying to do office work in their car. These problems include lack of space, lack of storage, nowhere flat to rest work on, inadequate temperature control in the car and poor communication facilities.