Echo Auto Driver Assistant
As a UX researcher and product analyst, I contributed to the development of Amazon's Echo Auto, a innovative in-vehicle product designed to provide a safe, enjoyable, and efficient user experience. My role involved creating guideline recommendations to prioritize drivers' needs and satisfaction, ensuring a seamless and intuitive interaction with the product.
Background and Goals
In-vehicle information systems (IVISs), such as Alexa Auto, are becoming increasingly common in vehicles. To ensure a safe, enjoyable, and efficient experience, our guidelines for Alexa Auto prioritized drivers' needs and satisfaction. The purpose of this project was to review research on the use of multiple sensory modalities in IVISs to increase usability and safety of Alexa Auto, with a focus on internal teams who build in-vehicle, consumer products.
Key Insights and Recommendations
Our research yielded several key insights and recommendations, including:
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Unimodal visual stimuli can be distracting: Presenting visual stimuli during driving can be distracting, and alternative methods should be explored to minimize distraction.
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Bimodal stimuli allows drivers to select the stimulus they want to pay attention to: Using multiple sensory modalities, such as visual and audio, can help drivers focus on the most important information.
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Time between notifications determines whether two notifications are perceived as one or two events: The timing of notifications is critical in preventing distractions and miscommunications.
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Based on these insights, we recommended the following:
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Safety:
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Methods of reducing urgency and temptation of notifications, such as allowing notifications to be replayed or leaving visual notifications on screen until cleared.
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Presenting information bimodally, using visual and audio cues, to minimize distraction.
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Designing for deaf and hearing impaired audiences to ensure accessibility.
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Efficiency & Enjoyment:
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Implementing specific notification timings to prevent distractions and miscommunications.
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Giving Alexa an understanding of human speech patterns to improve communication and reduce errors.
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Preventing IVISs from Distracting Drivers
To prevent IVISs from distracting drivers, we explored several strategies, including:
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Reducing the temptation of notifications: Notifications can distract drivers and increase brake times, so it's essential to reduce their urgency and temptation.
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Display modality and distractions: Using bimodal sensory displays, such as visual and audio, can help minimize distractions and improve safety.
Reducing Distractions and Miscommunications
To reduce distractions and miscommunications, we recommended:
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Timing misinterpretations: Avoiding quick succession, interruptions, and long pauses in notifications to prevent confusion and frustration.
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Influencing factors: Considering factors that influence the time between notifications, such as focusing on the road or Alexa, to optimize notification timing.
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Our research also yielded additional insights, including:
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Providing variations within bimodal cues: Using variations in bimodal cues, such as directional sound or indicator lights, can help improve communication and reduce distractions.
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User input preferences for Alexa: Understanding user preferences for tactile vs. voice-activated Alexa can help improve the user experience.
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Further examination of product feedback options: Exploring different auditory and haptic feedback patterns can help identify the most effective and useful options for users.
Skills and Expertise
Through this project, I demonstrated my skills and expertise in:
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UX research and analysis
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User-centered design
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Safety integration and protocol development
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Efficiency optimization and sustainability
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Feedback analysis and data-driven decision making
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Cross-functional collaboration and teamwork
Impact and Significance
My contributions to the Echo Auto project aimed to create a safer and more enjoyable user experience, while also improving fuel efficiency and overall product sustainability. By prioritizing user satisfaction and environmental responsibility, I helped shape a product that not only meets functional requirements but also promotes a positive and sustainable interaction with technology.