Methodology for the design of automotive HUD graphical interfaces

Abstract

The use of mobile devices inside vehicles while driving is generating an imminent safety risk. Due to this situation, one of the most relevant solutions is the Head-Up Display (HUD) system, which displays information about the system, status, and aids of the vehicle and a little data of the in-vehicle entertainment in the driver’s field of view during the driving activity. In fact, it is important to establish some guidelines or parameters to design HUD interfaces, since the automakers do not disclose their guidelines for the overall design of these interfaces. The main approach of this article is to propose a methodology for the design of automotive HUD interfaces, considering information from the ADAS, IVIS and external devices that meet the current needs of drivers. A validation of the methodology was made with product design engineers and computer engineers. It was concluded that predominantly in the designs the classification of information depending on the level of importance is clear. In this case, driving information is the most relevant in the whole design. An important aspect concerning the implementation of HUD devices is that this technology has more relevance in automotive interior design looking for a perfect balance between the primary task, driving, and the secondary task, multitasking activities on nomadic devices.