Adaptive user interfaces for in-vehicle devices

Adaptive user interfaces (AUIs) have become the focus of various scientific disciplines and are studied extensively over the last decade. The studies exploring the field investigate a broad range of adaptation methods in different types of applications. Although some progress was made in the study of AUIs, many issues need additional exploring. The objective of this research is to extend previous research on AUI and to examine different levels of adaptivity in AUIs, rather than viewing adaptivity as an all or none process. This research will attempt to identify the levels of adaptivity appropriate for different users, tasks and situations when using AUIs. In particular, the research will assess the effects of different levels of adaptivity on the performance of routine and infrequent tasks. A series of experiments will be conducted to develop and evaluate a model specifying the factors that influence the user's interaction with the AUI. Four different levels of adaptivity will be used, ranging from totally manual to fully adaptive with two intermediate levels. The AUI will be examined in the context of in-vehicle systems. The results of the research are expected to facilitate a better understanding of AUIs, clarify uncertainties and specify the situations in which adaptivity should be beneficial. Finally, the results of this research will assist in-vehicle system designers, by providing guiding principles for designing more usable AUIs.