An Ergonomic Study on the Operation Method and In-Vehicle Location of an Automotive Electronic Gearshift

Abstract

This study conducted a survey to identify the best ergonomic operation method, in-vehicle location, and the effects of their combination on electronic gearshifts. A total of 15 different design alternatives were derived through combinations of three operation methods (lever slide, button push, and dial rotation) and five in-vehicle locations (left wheel spoke, right wheel spoke, upper center fascia, lower center fascia, and center console). A total of 40 respondents with diverse ages and driving experiences evaluated the 15 different design alternatives across nine ergonomic evaluation measures (accuracy, efficiency, rapidity, learnability, intuitiveness, safety, preference, memorability, and satisfaction). The study results indicated that: (1) the lever slide and button push were superior to dial rotation for the operation method; (2) the lower center facia and center console were superior for the in-vehicle location, and (3) implementing the lever slide method in the center console location was found to lead to the best combination of the operation method and in-vehicle location, while implementing the button push method in the right wheel spoke or upper center fascia location also showed relative superiority. The study findings are expected to contribute to the ergonomic design of electronic gearshifts that can enhance the driver’s gear-shifting experience, thereby improving driving performance and safety.