Affective Role of the Future Autonomous Vehicle Interior

TL;DR

This study explores how future autonomous vehicle interiors can be designed to meet users' emotional needs, emphasizing advanced features that evoke positive visceral responses and enhance user experience.

Contribution

It identifies key affective roles and visceral levels for future vehicle interiors, providing foundational knowledge for designing emotionally engaging autonomous vehicle environments.

Findings

Eight visceral levels identified, including focused, stimulating, amused, pleasant, safe, comfortable, accommodated, organized.

Advanced exclusiveness and convenience are primary aspects influencing affective responses.

Results inform development and evaluation of emotionally supportive vehicle interior designs.

Abstract

Recent advancements in autonomous technology allow for new opportunities in vehicle interior design. Such a shift in in-vehicle activity suggests vehicle interior spaces should provide an adequate manner by considering users' affective desires. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the affective role of future vehicle interiors. Thirty one participants in ten focus groups were interviewed about challenges they face regarding their current vehicle interior and expectations they have for future vehicles. Results from content analyses revealed the affective role of future vehicle interiors. Advanced exclusiveness and advanced convenience were two primary aspects identified. The identified affective roles of each aspect are a total of eight visceral levels, four visceral levels each, including focused, stimulating, amused, pleasant, safe, comfortable, accommodated, and organized. We expect the results from this study to lead to the development of affective vehicle interiors by providing the fundamental knowledge for developing conceptual direction and evaluating its impact on user experiences.