There is concern that the introduction of more and more warning and information systems in cars may provide an additional distraction for drivers. It is also feared that increasing automation may give drivers a false sense of security. Visual warning displays on the dashboard include a system from Aisin Seiki that shows drivers what is happening in the blind spot created by the car's rear window pillars. Head-up displays where information is projected onto the windscreen are available on some cars. Part of the problem is the piecemeal way that new warning systems are being added to vehicles, with little compatibility between devices developed by different organisations. Research by Bosch evaluated whether simultaneous alarms could be replaced by a single warning that required the same driver response. Simplified warnings appeared to make the drive less stressful. In the increased drive towards automation, competition between driver and computer could result in confusion.
Abstract