Haptic Feedback for Automotive Touchscreen Display

This paper presents a study on selecting and evaluating haptic actuators for touchscreen interfaces in the automotive sector. The study aimed to identify the most suitable actuators for providing realistic and effective haptic feedback. The study involved six participants, utilizing a range of haptic effects and actuators. The Trials included four haptic effects and three interaction gestures (buttons, sliders, and stepped sliders). Users provided qualitative feedback on force, quality, reactivity, and duration using a 7-point Likert scale. Passive noise-cancellation headphones were used to isolate users from external sounds. The test was conducted in a car-simulated environment composed of a car seat and the central touchscreen display; the hardware setup was comprised of four actuators positioned behind the touchscreen display, each of them connected to a separated Haptic Motor Drivers and Arduinos; these communicated via serial interface with the computer that was driving the interface. This research provides insights into haptic actuator selection for automotive touchscreen interfaces, emphasizing user experience and feedback. The findings aim to enhance car haptic feedback systems, contributing to improved safety, user engagement, and driving experiences.