This paper reports on the results of human factors evaluations carried out on a prototype near infra red night vision system. This system was taken from a military aircraft application and installed in a 4-litre Jaguar Sovereign by Jaguar Cars Ltd; this was done for the express purpose of understanding more about the issues concerned with the use of night time imaging technology in a driving situation. Although the system is appropriate to its aeronautical military application, it was understood from the outset to be unsuitable (in its current form) in an automotive environment. The main objective of installing the unit in the car was to provide an opportunity to gain experience quickly of the technologies involved and to develop an understanding of customer requirements and acceptance issues. The evaluations also made it possible to begin to address the issues of packaging, installation, cost and reliability.
Abstract