embedded systems: mindful mobile

mindful mobilea smart steering wheel that helps you be a more mindful driver

Alison Tisza | Interactive Design for Embedded Systems | Fall 2012


concept

A smart steering wheel that helps you be a more mindful driver. honk hello!


user need

Convenient, flexible, and automatic environmental controls in a context that demands the user’s full attention.

let me handle that!


sensory mapping: touch and hearing

Touch gesture interaction at the center of the steering wheel for granular control of honking. Facilitates refined communication with other drivers.


sensory mapping: sight, touch, and hearing

Multimodal interaction incorporating a voice dialogue and an invoked touch screen at the center of the steering wheel to control car systems, such as seat position.


context awareness

Biometric identification - fingerprints - along the rim of the steering wheel identifies the driver and adjusts features, such as seat and mirror position and radio station, based on set preferences and behavioral patterns. For example, listening to talk radio in the morning.


context awareness

Biometric health sensors (skin temperature and pulse) in conjunction with outside temperature sensors and historical activity automatically adjust the cabin temperature for optimal comfort.


user experience

fluentPhysical proximity - right at the user’s fingertips - allows for natural and fluid interactions. An extension of the user’s body.

Gestures on the steering wheel to control the sound of the horn become as second nature as driving the car.

Automatic adjustments after the user has been identified take the place of previous fluent interactions - adjusting the mirror, setting the radio station, etc.


user experience

cognitiveInitial use of the smart steering wheel’s capabilities to adjust features, such as seat position, inside the cabin. For example, learning how to invoke the functionality and understanding that pressing on an area of the seat and swiping in the direction desired to move the seat.


user experience

expressiveCreating custom gestures for the steering wheel. Gestures can be for anything from a custom horn sound to setting one or many preferences.


emotional design: four pleasures

physio-pleasureThe car’s ability to understand context and dynamically adjust the cabin conditions ensures an optimal physical environment, such as temperature and seat position.



socio-pleasureThe granular control provided by the gesture enabled horn allows the driver to more easily communicate with others in the immediate vicinity. The ability to honk “thank you” may act as a social lubricant in a context where rage runs rampant and communication is minimal.



psycho-pleasureThe car’s capability to understand context and dynamically adjust the cabin conditions ensures an optimal psychological environment, such as radio station selection and volume.



ideo-pleasureThe driver’s values become embodied in the car as he sets preferences and as the car learns about his behavior. The car is able to use historical data to infer future motivations and outcomes.


a mindful mobile experience

1. Identify driver 2. Automatically set preferences

3. Facilitate manual preference setting

4. Sense and adjust temperature

5. Gesture a custom honk

6. Many small pleasures = joy