Vehicular heads-up display control techniques wherein content of a virtual display generated by the heads-up display system is controlled by actions of an occupant of the vehicle. The control device can be a voice-reception system which receives vocal commands from the occupant and/or a gesture-detection system which detects gestures by the occupant. One such gesture-detection system includes a camera having a field of view of hands or an upper body region of an occupant expected to exercise control of the heads-up display and a processor arranged to receive images from the camera, detect movement of a head, hand or arm of the occupant in one of predetermined number of areas and perform a function based on the detection of movement in the predetermined area. The function may be to alter the content of the heads-up display or adjustment of a vehicle component.

Vehicular Heads-Up Display System

The ability to travel is associated with freedom, activity and choice and driving offers an important mobility option for most elderly. Driving cessation is linked to an increase in depressive symptoms and a decline in out-of-home activity levels and community mobility. Further, for at least some people, the same health conditions and functional impairments that cause a change in driving patterns will also limit access to other transport options (walking, cycling, public transport), thereby further contributing to restricted community mobility and its consequences. Driving status thus plays a critical role in the complex interactions between aging, physical and psychological health, community mobility and use of health services. A good understanding of these relationships is required in order to enable older people to maintain economic and social participation and quality of life. This report provides a comprehensive review of international literature to assess the current state of knowledge with regard to the complex relationships between changing driving and travel patterns, aging, health status, and reduced mobility and the impact of poor mobility on quality of life. The findings from the literature review were used to compile a set of 'best-practice' recommendations to effectively manage the safe mobility of elderly road users. It is recommended that a coordinated approach that encompasses innovative strategies and initiatives to manage the mobility of older road users be adopted. Such an approach should include measures that focus on safer road users (appropriate management of 'at-risk' older drivers through appropriate licensing procedures and development of targeted educational and training programs), safer vehicles (improved crashworthiness of vehicles, raising of awareness amongst older drivers of the benefits of occupant protection, and development of ITS technologies), safer roads (creating a safer and more forgiving road environment to match the characteristics and needs of older road users), and improvements to alternative transport options (provision of accessible, affordable, safe and coordinated transport options that are tailored to the needs of older adults and promotion and awareness of alternative transport options amongst older drivers and their families/caregivers). Options for further research are also highlighted. Poor mobility places a substantial burden on the individual, families, community and society and there is a real need for policy makers, local governments and communities to consider the transportation needs of the elderly to support ongoing mobility.

The Elderly and Mobility: A Review of the Literature

Driving, Navigation, and Vehicular Technology: Experiences of Older Drivers and Their Co-Pilots

A computer based system and method for designing an automotive vehicle based on occupant vision orients an occupant representation, in electronic form, with respect to a three-dimensional electronic representation of a portion of the vehicle. At least one vehicle system is represented, also in electronic form, with respect to a common reference point, at least one human factors vision study is electronically performed to determine occupant vision with at least one vehicle system, and an outcome of that study is reported to a vehicle designer. The designer then has an option to vary, or alter, the occupant orientation, the location of the vehicle system, or both, so that the design meets a predetermined vision criteria of the study. However, the designer may opt to retain the design despite non-compliance with the vision criteria. If a parameter change is made, the system and method automatically rebuild every other effected dimension, and vehicle systems to satisfy the regenerated design are automatically selected from all electronic parts library so that packaging alternatives can be quickly studied. A geometric representation of occupant vision relative to a vehicle system may be displayed to allow a designer to visually assess compliance with a particular vision criteria. The occupant representation, vehicle, vehicle system, and geometric representation of the occupant vision may be rendered and animated in three-dimensions permitting views from various perspectives. The method and system can quickly provide accurate human factors vision studies for a vehicle design while allowing system packaging flexibility.

Method and system for vehicle design using occupant vision zones

A computer based system and method for designing an automotive vehicle orients an occupant representation, in electronic form, with respect to a three-dimensional electronic representation of a portion of the vehicle. At least one vehicle system is represented, also in electronic form, with respect to a common reference point, at least one human factors study is electronically performed to determine occupant interaction with at least one vehicle system, and an outcome of that study is reported to a vehicle designer. The designer then has an option to vary, or alter, the occupant orientation, the location of the vehicle system, or both, so that the design meets a predetermined criteria of the study. However, the designer may opt to retain the design despite non-compliance with the criteria. If a parameter change is made, the system and method automatically rebuild every other effected dimension, and vehicle systems to satisfy the regenerated design are automatically selected from an electronic parts library so that packaging alternatives can be quickly studied. A geometric representation of occupant interaction relative to a vehicle system may be displayed to allow a designer to visually assess compliance with a particular criteria. The occupant representation, vehicle, vehicle system, and geometric representation of the interaction may be rendered and animated in three-dimensions permitting views from various perspectives. The method and system can quickly provide accurate human factors studies for a vehicle design while allowing system packaging flexibility.

Occupant based design system for an automotive vehicle

The DRIVE II project EDDIT (Elderly and Disabled Drivers' Information Telematics) has evaluated a number of in-vehicle telematic systems in terms of their potential value in extending the safe driving life of the elderly. Although the terms of reference of the project focus on the benefits and safety implications for what appears to be a particularly vulnerable group-the over-65s- EDDIT's experimental work has provided valuable insights into ergonomic issues that concern all users, and has highlighted both the usefulness and usability of different types of man-machine interface. Among the devices tested have been two reversing aids (one dashboard-mounted, the other located behind the driver), three types of route guidance system and a head-up night vision enhancement system. Unlike other in-vehicle innovations, such as mobile telephones and music systems, the systems studied within EDDIT add another element to the driving task, leading potentially to an increase in the driver's visual and mental workload, and many of them require the user to switch his/her visual attention from the road scene ahead. The possible safety implications of using such devices are therefore very important, particularly in the case of elderly people, whose capacity to cope with the various mental and cognitive demands of driving may in any case be almost saturated. This paper discusses these issues in the light of the results of EDDIT'S field trials.

The ergonomic and safety implications of in-car ATT devices-evidence from field trials with elderly drivers

The evaluations using the "TraveIpilot" route guidance system have shown that a sample of 35 elderly drivers has been able to use the device in a real driving situation, in an unfamiliar car and a largely unfamiliar area, with no safety-related problems. Furthermore, in the opinion of an expert driving assessor, the overall standard of the sample's driving was not adversely affected when the route guidance system was used. It has been observed, however, that some drivers' performance deteriorated to some degree when faced with the dual task of driving and following the route guidance system's instructions. Similarly, recordings of subjects' glance strategies when using the system have suggested that those with a better short-term memory, are equipped to use the technology more effectively.

J.J. Alexander

Papers

The ergonomic and safety implications of in-car ATT devices-evidence from field trials with elderly drivers

What are the benefits and safety implications of route guidance systems for elderly drivers