Is stereoscopic 3D a better choice for information representation in the car?

Abstract

In modern cars users need to interact with safety and comfort functions, driver assistance systems, and infotainment devices. Basic requirements include the perception of the current status and of information items as well as the control of functions. Handling that myriad amount of information while driving requires an appropriate interaction design, structure and visualization of the data. This paper investigates potentials and limitations of stereoscopic 3D for visualizing an in-vehicle information system. We developed a spatial in-car visualization concept that exploits three dimensions for the system's output. Based on a prototype, that implements the central functionality of our concept, we evaluate the 3D representation. A laboratory study with 32 users indicates that stereoscopic 3D is the better choice as it improves the user experience, increases the attractiveness, and helps the user in recognizing the current state of the system. The study shows no significant differences between non-stereoscopic and stereoscopic representations in the users' workload. This indicates that stereoscopic visualizations have no negative impact on the primary driving task.