British luxury car manufacturer Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has joined the Advanced Human Factors Evaluator for Automotive Distraction (AHEAD) project, which is aimed at reducing the potential for driver distraction in future vehicle human machine interface (HMI) systems.
The automaker joins with global technology businesses and academic bodies in this project.
Under this project, JLR will work with MIT AgeLab, DENSO and Touchstone Evaluations on methods for measuring the demands made on drivers by the latest HMI technologies.
The outcomes will help to determine new systems that are capable of minimizing distraction as well as delivering convenient engaging and safe operation.
AHEAD will allow researchers, vehicle manufacturers and suppliers to work on how the demands of using voice controls, touch screens and switchgear can be effectively measured.
It aims to produce a quantifiable, objective evaluation toolkit for the automotive industry to support new HMI development.
Jaguar Land Rover research and technology director Wolfgang Epple said that the opportunities to provide drivers with access to comprehensive and sophisticated information and communication systems while at the wheel continue to increase at an exceptional rate.
"Our work with MIT AgeLab, DENSO and our other partners in AHEAD will put us in the forefront of understanding the workload placed on the driver," Epple added.
"This will be of crucial importance in our development of the future systems we want to deliver to keep pace with the rapid expansion of vehicle and communications technologies."
