Topic 2 - Creative Lab - Memoria Final

Innovative applications of LEDs

What can you do with a fully programmable RGB-LED-Strip in the car?

28th June 2019

WHO ARE WE? Eva Vera García

Sara Puente Tejedor

Alex Verdugo Compes

Bachelor's degree in Industrial Design and Product Development

Bachelor's degree in Industrial Design and Product Development

Bachelor's degree in Industrial Electronics and Automatic Control Engineering + Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

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All of us believe that this project is a great way to learn both about group work, especially when joining different profiles of different specialities, as well as other work topics. Throughout our studies at the university, we are inadvertently used to a way of working, with our usual co-workers, on a subject specifically related to our studies.

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The Creative Lab project allows us to open new windows to our future by learning from new colleagues and new areas of study, which offers us a great opportunity to learn new things and gain experience.

We are a multidisciplinary group formed by 6 students from ESEIAAT (UPC, Barcelona). Among us, you can find different profiles, among which are students of the Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design and Product Development, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Electronics and Automatic Control Engineering and Mechanical Engineering.

Júlia Palomar Sanahuja

Bachelor's degree in Industrial Design and Product Development + Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

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Daniel Noguera Romero

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

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Alba de Torres Viejo

Bachelor's degree in Industrial Design and Product Development

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OUR

MOTIVATIONS

01

DESIGN RESEARCH

02

CONCEPTUALITZATION OF THE PROJECT

03

CONCEPTUAL DEVELOPMENT

04

DESIGN OF LED PROGRAMS

05

PROTOTYPING

06

BUDGET

07

USERS TESTS

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FINAL CONCLUSIONS

What the user wants to know User-lights relationship Led sensors research Market research Trend analysis Accident analysis Conclusions

Project requirements by Volkswagen Creative dynamics: List of ideas - Brainstorming Justification design proposals

Definitive ideas Function’s flowchart

Lighting control software Design of the Bluetooth application Operation and explanation Connection and electrical part

Step-by-step process Final results Implementation problems

Objectives Definition Results

Reflections Acknowledgements

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67

85

103

117

143 147

157

CONTENTS

DESIGN RESEARCH 01

What the user wants to know

02

User-lights relationship

03

LED sensors research

04

Market research

05

Trend analysis

06

Accidents analysis

07

Conclusions

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DESIGN RESEARCH

What the user wants to know

Creative Lab Topic 2

For a better understanding of users’ experience, we surveyed a group of 226 people, asking them both for their current experience in the vehicle and their wishes for the future. From this survey we extract some interesting concepts that helped us to implement some functions in our design.

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Methodology

Personal interview - questionary

Total universe

46.000.000 people

Real universe

25.000.000 people

Scope

Spanish drivers

Means of contact

Social media

Defined sample

387 people

Real sample

226 people

Answering index

226/387 = 0.5839

Date

November 2018

Expected margin of error

±10%

58.39%

Creative Lab Topic 2

DESIGN RESEARCH

How old are you?

Gender 2%

Between 16 and 25

12%

12%

2%

12%

12% 43.3%

Men

Between 26 and 35 13%

Between 36 and 45

Women

13%

40% 40%

40% Between 46 and 55

23%

Between 56 and 65

I prefer not answering

52.7%

23%

Do you like driving?

How often do you drive? a

17.7%

2.6%

11.1%

9.5%

Yes 12.4%

Twice a week

No I don’t really mind

47.3%

Twice a month I don’t usually drive

17%

72.1%

I don’t have a driving licence

How many people are usually there in the car when you drive?

At what time of the day do you usually drive?

100

100

75

75

50

50

25

25

0

0 1

Every day 3-5 times a week

10.2%

0

Non binary

2

3

4

5

Morning

Midday

Afternoon

Night

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Creative Lab Topic 2

DESIGN RESEARCH How do these situations make you feel in the car?

100 75 50 25 0

Traffic jam

GPS’ voice

Rainy days

Red traffic lights

Not finding a place to park

100 75 50 25 0 Driving at night Overwhelmed

Angry

Nervous

Worried

Impatient

Insecure

Safe

Relaxed

Indifferent

How important are these attributes in a car for you?

150

100

50

0

Interior design

Comfort

Manoeuvre easiness

Almost no

Just a little

Entertainment

I don’t mind

Quite a lot

Safety Essential

Range from 1 to 5 the importance of improving these aspects in a car 150

100

50

0

Safety guarantee

Real time environment information 0

10

Comfort while driving

1

2

3

Interior design

4

5

Interaction with passengers

DESIGN RESEARCH What information would you like to get while driving?

Creative Lab Topic 2

200

150

100

50

0 Weather information Total route time Fastest route Traffic jam and accidents Passengers’ information (seat belt...)

Speeding State of the car Proximity detector (vehicles, people, trees...)

Driver state Personal agenda Remaining time and distance

Would you like to let us know something else?

- Problems finding a place to park.

- I do not drive because I do not have a license, but I know that I will like it when I do.

- The situation of the electric car should be more developped. Prices should be improved and not everyone has a place and / or time to load the car correctly, among other things.

- Control the car by voice control (changing the music, for example).

- People do not control the distances, they have already hit me twice.

- Being able to give voice orders to the car.

I loved the idea of the agenda together with the reading of messages. I think it would improve safety.

- Very good idea. I would also add that the car has to adapt to the driver. I’m a little bigger than average (and it's not an exaggeration) but I find it hard to find cars in whoere I'm comfortable with. My knees are too close to the steering wheel, they touch my keys. My legs are flexed, the seat is too small for me, etc ... Currently that is the biggest problem I find in the actual vehicles, the fact of having to limit what I buy because of my size is really annoying.

- GPS gives directions of streets but when you get to a city that you don’t know you have no idea of where they are.

- In the section of the moods, my answers have been partially ambiguous since the questions were not very concrete in some situations.

-In the traffic jams I do not feel the same if I'm in a hurry because I am meeting someone or because I am late to work, the I am ansious, that if I'm just oing somewhere or at home at the end of the day, then I am indifferent to these situations.

- For night driving it is very different if it is done in the city or outside of it. In the first case it is indifferent to me while in the second one it makes me feel insecure.

- With red traffic lights it happens to me the same as with the traffic jams, everything depends whether I am in a rush or not, then I can feel either nervous or indifferent respectively.

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DESIGN RESEARCH

Our aim with this questionary was having a better understanding on what users want to know while driving and the issues they usually find in the car.

The first few questions gave us some information about these drivers and their habits. They drive mostly on their own and in the morning.

The following questions let us know that the most relevant situations to work on were traffic jams, parking and rainy days. On the other hand, the most irrelevant one was the influence of red traffic lights.

We consider the next question the most relevant one, as we have been able to directly asking the aspects which they consider a priority. This has allowed us to know that the most relevant attributes for them are safety, comfort and interior design.

The information they want to know the most is about the route, including accidents and traffic jams, remaining time and distance...in real time.

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Creative Lab Topic 2

We found it really interesting giving them the opportunity of addding some final comments as we wanted to know as much as possible considering the questions we had asked. There were some really interesting aspects mentioned in these final comments and we have also been able to know on what aspects they wanted us to focus on.

This was our first contact with these topics and we did not want to follow everything just as it resulted from the interview as we needed to look for more information on the topic before making any decision. However, this interview provided us a solid base on which starting to build our project.

DESIGN RESEARCH

Creative Lab Topic 2

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DESIGN RESEARCH

Creative Lab Topic 2

user-lights relationship The first questions the group had were, among others, the following:

Lighting and its design influence in work performance

1. What emotions are related to environmental light?

2. Does environmental light determine the emotions of people?

3. How are luminous parameters related to emotions?

4. Can emotions influence the perception that people have the of urban spaces?

Among the different aspects that improve the feeling of well-being of employees, there is the regulation of light throughout the day. This aspect takes into account the natural biorhythms of people increasing their motivation and, therefore, improving their work performance.

These questions fulfil the characteristics that all research questions must meet: be feasible, innovative, ethical and relevant.

The relationship between lighting and emotions can be studied in terms of urban lighting, although the conclusions obtained of the emotional aspects of light are still valid for the design of interior spaces.

The productivity, motivation and well-being of the workers are directly related to the environment, the lighting and the design of the space in which they perform their professional tasks.

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For example, cold light, intense and blue, helps to activate the organism when the workday begins, after lunch and in the late afternoon. On the other hand, warm light, softer and warm, helps to relax during breaks.

According to Philips data, a good design and a good use of the space can improve the performance of an organization up to 15%, as well as optimal lighting can increase productivity by 10%.

DESIGN RESEARCH

Creative Lab Topic 2

Psychology of the applied light Poor office lighting can negatively influence people in different ways causing eye fatigue and affecting cognitive performance and problem-solving abilities, especially in those professionals who work with computers. In addition, it affects humor and interpersonal relationships within the workplace.

In this sense, the challenge for companies is to design work environments that can best meet the specific needs of the employees of the 21st century, who increasingly face higher levels of demand and must adapt to continuous changes, to ensure the highest levels of performance and well-being.

According to David Martínez Olmedo, director of Interior Lighting at Philips "the regulations that regulate lighting conditions are increasingly concerned about the importance of the relationship between light and the visual health of workers, so companies should take into account the need to invest in the lighting of their offices as a way to develop work environments that promote well-being and performance, and reduce stress, absenteeism and accidents”.

For years, all kinds of tests have been done to analyze the meaning and sensations suggested by colors.

In a study conducted using magnetic resonance it was found that volunteers exposed to a blue ambient light had a slight increase in the intensity of their emotions compared to volunteers exposed to green environmental light.

This last type is used in clinical depression treatments and has already shown its value.

In 1942 Russian scientists proved that red light stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, while white and blue light stimulate the parasympathetic one.

According to a study of the School of Psychology at the University of Rochester in New York, humans in general react faster and with more strength when they see red. This color increases the power of the emotions, a thing that can lead to a specific advantage during conflicts, negotiations and also in sexual attraction situations. Red color also increases sales, since the salesperson is identified as more influential and powerful and, for all that, its power of persuasion increases.

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DESIGN RESEARCH

Creative Lab Topic 2

Kansei Engineering The Kansei engineering is one of the pioneering schools in emotional design. It was started in the 70s by Professor Mitsuo Nagamachi as a technique to incorporate the sensitive aspects in the industrial design process. Since then, it has been successfully implemented by some companies. Kansei is a Japanese word composed of the syllable kan meaning sensitivity and sei which means sensitivity, and it is used to define the power that objects have to awaken pleasure while they are being used.

Kansei engineering expresses emotion and affection in the design process.

The questions “What is this?” “What is it used for?” to achieve more effective and satisfactory designs for the users.

The Mazda house is, perhaps, one of the companies that has done a major invest on Kansei engineering since its inception. His patronage over the work of Professor Nagamachi has given to them more than one satisfaction, for example with the Mazda MX5 which was fully studied, from the radio curves to the sound of the doors closing, all of it to ensure a perfect design for the best-selling sports car in the world.

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Kansei engineering is especially useful in the design of a service or a product. This philosophy expresses the need of including subjective aspects (as emotions, affection, perceptions, sensations) in the experience of use, going beyond functional design. It also focuses on the subject of magic and intuition.

The SKIN project of the Philips company Philips has created two experimental gowns equipped with sensors capable of responding to the emotional state of the people who is wearing them. This is an approach to what is known as intuitive or sensitive electronics, as the company explains.

This project has been called SKIN, because it is inspired by the way human skin reacts spontaneously to external and internal stimulus.

DESIGN RESEARCH

This dress has sensors that monitor the physiological changes associated with various emotions, and then it sends a signal to the lights of the outer layer of the fabric. Stress, fear or any other emotion thus generate the lighting of colored lights that change their tone and shape according to the intensity of the emotion. This project aims to explore more sensitive technologies, as well as to rethink the interaction between objects and humans.

Blue public lighting reduces crime and suicide Back in 2000, the Scottish city of Glasgow tried to change the color of the light emitted by streetlights. The experiment allowed some of the busiest avenues of the city to acquire different visual nuances. Thanks to the change of traditional white, orange or yellow lights for lights with blue tones.

Creative Lab Topic 2

Although the decrease in crime seems to be directly related to public blue light, there are still no scientific results that conclusively support this theory.

As Tsuneo Suzuki, a professor at Keio University, points out "There is still a lot of data to be analyzed to claim that there is a relationship between blue lighting and its calming effect. What is clear is that blue lights are unusual. This way people can feel surprised and avoid crimes and suicides using this type of illumination. There are many investigations related to the psychology of color. One of them made some research on short wavelength blue light. It has proven to be a potentially effective treatment for seasonal affective disorders (a type of depression linked to the change of seasons). If there are new researches that support the benefits of blue lighting, we could find ourselves facing a fantastic discovery, a cheap change can help to reduce crime rates in the areas, as well as suicide cases".

On that occasion, however, only an aesthetic goal was pursued.

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DESIGN RESEARCH

Creative Lab Topic 2

Leds and color psychology Human behavior is an important psychological aspect related to lighting levels. The higher the color temperature of the light source is, the higher the stimulation of our senses is. A place illuminated with 180 or 100 Lux automatically "suggests" the need to lower the tone of voice creating a more intimate ambient, while the same place illuminated with more intense lights motivate a more active behaviour.

The cold tones produce a feeling of sadness and the impression of a reduced space, although they can also cause a fresh impression that makes it suitable for decoration in hot climates. The warm tones are the opposite, exaltation, joy and spaciousness are associated with them and they give a welcoming appearance to the environment that results in a preference for them in warm climates. Anyway, often the presence of cold elements in a warm environments or vice versa make the ďŹ nal result more pleasant and comfortable.

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LIGHT HAS A DIRECT RELATIONSHIP WITH HUMAN STATE OF MIND

The intensity of light graduates human emotions Light is one of the elements of the environment that accompanies us throughout life, silently. It is known a lot of light is needed when we want to read, take a picture or look at something accurately.

It is also known that darkness is required when sleeping.

The penumbra suggests the mysterious and the romantic. The lights of sunrise or sunset are evocative. A small thread of light can be what shows us the way. In short, the light is always there telling us something.

What you may not know is that light also has an impact on the way you perceive reality emotionally and has a strong inuence when making decisions.

DESIGN RESEARCH

The intensity of light intensifies the emotions Illuminated and bright environments make emotions flow with greater intensity. A group of researchers from the University of Toronto measured the reactions of a group of people to full light environments so they could verify that the more the illumination increases, the stronger the emotions are. In fact, some participants became aggressive when the light became more intense.

The name given by the experts to this reaction was "incandescent effect". Everything seems to indicate that people perceive the increase of light as a parallel temperature increase, even thought this last one doesn’t happen.

The combination of light and heat makes emotions come alive.

Creative Lab Topic 2

ILLUMINATION BY ITSELF DOES NOT BRING NEW EMOTIONS OUT. ALTHOUGH, IT STIMULATES THE EXISTING ONES AND MAKES THEM MORE PRONOUNCED AND VISIBLE. The practical effect of this discovery is that the high-lightened environments motivate people to carry out activities in which emotions play a preponderant role. For example, a family or old friends reunion can be developed perfectly when there is a lot of light.

On the other hand, if the situation requires making rational decisions and keeping a cool head the best thing to do is to slightly close the curtains and the blinds, as a less illuminated environment attenuates emotions and encourages a more objective reasoning.

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Creative Lab Topic 2

DESIGN RESEARCH

Color and emotions Color psychology is the study of the relation between colors and human behavior. It aims to determine how color affects our day to day decisions such as for example the importance it has in the decision it is made when choosing to buy a product. Does the color of a dress affects in whether or not the consumer buy it? Do the colors of a package make us choose one brand over another? Does the color of an icon make us more likely to click on it?

The short answer is yes. But the answer to why is a bit more complicated. Color meanings can have an impact on why we prefer certain colors over others. The same color can also have dierent meanings that are dependent on our education, gender, location, values, and a variety of other factors.

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WHITE Balance Calm Neutrality

GREEN Peace Growth Health

RED Excitement Youth Boldness

BLUE Trust Reliability Strenght

ORANGE Friendship Joy ConďŹ dence

PURPLE Creativity Imagination Wisdom YELLOW Optimism Clarity Warmth

DESIGN RESEARCH

Creative Lab Topic 2

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DESIGN RESEARCH

Creative Lab Topic 2

led sensors research For the development of the prototype it was told to the group to use the following LED strips: Adafruit DotStar Digital LED Strip - Black 144 LED/m, so a little research about them was made before starting the design of the circuit and the controllers.

Power and connections First of all, these strips require a stable 5V DC input and they can consume 8.6A, at its maximum brightness, for each meter of strip. Thinking about the prototype these high-power requirements may cause some troubles because on a car there could be lots of them so the need of an external power source would have to be taken into account.

In order to send the all the information to the LED strps, two wires are required, the ďŹ rst one for the data and the second one for the clock signal. Because these two are separated, any speed or type processor to control these strips can be used, and it is not necessary to be as careful with the timing. But on the other hand, this also means that more wires are needed to control each strip.

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Creative Lab Topic 2

DESIGN RESEARCH

For the wiring of each strip to the controller and to the power supply, the sellers gave us these notes. For longer strips, when more than 1 Amp of current is required, the power supply should be made with an external 5V power adapter by following the these steps:

Software

- To connect the 5V strip pin to the 5V power adapter.

This group is totally inexperienced at using this programming language but the easiest way that has been found to execute the process has been through Arduino which is known for the simplicity of its projects..

- To connect the GND strip pin to GND board and GND power adapter.

- To connect the CI (Clock input) strip and the DI (Data input) to two digital or SPI pins as explained above.

Important: three points are connected to ground, power supply, microcontroller and DotStar strip. If there’s no common ground between the microcontroller and strip, the LED’s won’t function.

Adafruit recommends the use of Arduino or Raspberry to control the LEDs, for each type of controller they provide the libraries and tutorials needed to get on with the programming.

The library and its functions explain that each LED is an independent light, every one of them can have its particular colour and brightness. This function inside a loop can lead to make some colour shows.

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DESIGN RESEARCH

market research To start the project it is necessary to know about the actual technologies and functionalities available in cars to offer new ideas that can ďŹ t in the models and contribute to a better driving experience.

The actual car models include a wide range of functions, basically they help the driver, prevent accidents and improve the comfort during the journey. Some of them are shared by most of the brands, although some of them are not.

Differences can be also found between the different ranges of the same brands.

A research has been made to get to know more about the most actual relevant systems and the ones coming soon. In the following pages the results of the research of 6 brands (Audi, Seat, Volkswagen, Porsche, Volvo and BMW) will be presented.

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Creative Lab Topic 2

AUDI This brand is a world leader in innovative technology as well as a referent for others.

Assistant driving systems: all these features can be activated and deactivated for the consumer.

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Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC):

Offers relief to drivers especially on long trips and in stop-and-go trafďŹ c. It maintains a preset distance to the vehicle ahead by automatically accelerating and braking. The driver can choose from ďŹ ve distance levels and adjust acceleration and control system dynamics. The system uses radar sensors and a front camera. It detects vehicles ahead and measure the distance to them.

When the system is deactivated, the indicator shows the distance to the car ahead and warns drivers when they are too close.

Creative Lab Topic 2

DESIGN RESEARCH

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Adaptative Cruise Control with Stop&Go:

In heavy traffic, it autonomously decelerates the car to a stop. After a brief stop, it automatically starts driving, following the vehicle ahead. After a longer stop, the driver must tap the accelerator pedal or the control stalk on the steering column. In addition to the radar sensors and front camera, ultrasonic sensors also monitor the vehicle’s immediate surroundings.

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The adaptive cruise assist (ACA):

It assists the driver with longitudinal and lateral control. The ACA uses the radar sensor in the front of the vehicle, the laser scanner, the front camera and the ultrasonic sensors to permanently monitor the vehicle’s surroundings. This information is used to create a virtual vehicle path and “guide” the vehicle within it. The system also includes possible interventions so that the vehicle remains in the center of the lane.

The ACA detects if the lane is too narrow to allow side-by-side driving and enables offset driving through narrow stretches.

The car automatically adapts its speed to the traffic situation and the route. In stop-and-go traffic as well as traffic jam situations, the ACA can bring the car to a complete stop. Depending on the duration of the stop, the car can start automatically again.

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Hold assist:

On the usual inclines and descents of street traffic this function prevents the vehicle from rolling. This ensures that the car will remain stationary even without activation of the parking brake. After a stop at a traffic light the car drives off as soon as the driver presses the accelerator pedal. The system is activated by pushing a button and it automatically switches over to the electromechanical parking brake when the car is stopped for a longer period of time.

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Creative Lab Topic 2

DESIGN RESEARCH

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Audi active lane assist

Audi active lane assist helps the driver keep the vehicle in the driving lane. A camera detects lane lines and the track that the car is following between them. In this process, the camera can distinguish between yellow lines in construction zones and standard white markings. If the car approaches a line without the turn signal being activated, the system helps the driver to go back into the lane with of gentle but noticeable interventions.

The driver can set whether an early steering intervention point, then the system guides the driver towards the middle of the lane by gentle, centering steering interventions or a late steering intervention point. In this last case the active lane assist does not intervene until shortly before the detected lane marking might be crossed. In addition, the driver may choose to be warned by a vibration of the steering wheel when crossing detected lane markings.

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Turn assist:

Turn assist monitors the road lane with oncoming trafďŹ c with radar sensors, the front camera and, in certain models, a laser scanner. Monitoring is initiated as soon as the driver sets the turn signal.

When driving off from a stop, or during slow driving the system can intervene by applying the brakes to prevent the car from colliding with an oncoming vehicle when turning. This brake intervention keeps the vehicle within its own driving lane. The driver is informed of the intervention by an indicator in the instrument cluster.

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DESIGN RESEARCH

Creative Lab Topic 2

Audi AI traffic jam pilot

The driver indicates taking over the driving task by grasping the steering wheel, which is detected by a capacity sensor. The steering torque sensor, gas pedal and brake pedal likewise register activity. If the driver ignores this prompt and the subsequent warnings, the car is braked continuously until it stops completely in its lane.

This is the world’s first system to enable conditional automated driving at level 3. The car takes over the task of driving in a traffic jam or slow moving highway traffic. In this defined situation, drivers must merely remain alert and capable of taking over the task of driving when the system allows them to do so. Drivers can take their foot off the accelerator and hands off the steering wheel for longer periods.

During conditional automated driving, a camera checks whether the driver is prepared to resume the task of steering, if needed. It analyzes the position and movement of the head and eyes in order to generate anonymized data. If a driver’s eyes remain closed for an extended period, for example, the system prompts the driver to resume the driving task. Visual and acoustic warnings are made over several stages.

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Audi pre sense 360˚

The Audi pre sense 360˚ safety system detects collision hazards all around the car and initiates preventive measures – ranging from a full brake application to seat adjustments and pre-tensioning of the seat belts. One of its sub-functions is known as Audi pre sense side. In conjunction with the Audi AI active suspension, the body is lifted several centimeters extremely quickly before an imminent collision, so that the forces can be absorbed by structures that are especially impact-resistant.

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Creative Lab Topic 2

DESIGN RESEARCH

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Audi pre sense basic

Audi pre sense basic initiates preventive safety measures for occupants as soon as it recognizes a critical driving state. It uses information from various vehicle systems to determine this. Then the system pretensions the seat belts of the driver and front passenger electrically to reduce their forward or lateral movements. The side windows and sliding sunroof are automatically closed. In addition, the hazard warning lights are activated to alert following trafďŹ c.

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Audi pre sense front / Audi pre sense city

Audi pre sense front and Audi pre sense city use the data of radar sensors and the front camera, depending on the car model, to compute the probability of a collision. Within the limitations of the system, it warns of collision threats and initiates. Vehicles are detected as well as pedestrians and cyclists. If a collision is imminent, the system warns the driver with visual, acoustic and tactile warnings.

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If necessary, the system provides braking assistance to reduce vehicle speed or initiates a full brake application to avoid the collision under certain circumstances. Actions are also taken to protect occupants and the hazard warning lights are activated.

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Audi pre sense rear

Audi pre sense rear uses radar sensors in the rear bumper to detect an impending collision, and it initiates preventive safety measures. In addition, the system activates the hazard warning lights to alert following trafďŹ c to the critical situation.

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Audi pre sense side

Audi pre sense side reacts in the event of a collision from the side. The system can detect the threat of side collisions and apply preventative measures to help protect occupants as activating the hazard lights, tensioning the safety belts, optimizing the seating position, and closing the optional panoramic glass roof and windows.

Creative Lab Topic 2

DESIGN RESEARCH

With this function the side and floor structure accommodate a large portion of the impact forces.

Deformation of the cabin and the loads are reduced by up to 50%.

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Audi side assist

The Audi side assist lane-changing assistant helps the driver to change lanes at driving speeds of 15 km/h and faster using two rear radar sensors. If the system detects a vehicle located in the blind spot or approaching quickly from the rear, a warning LED is lit in the housing of the relevant exterior mirror. If the driver activates the turn signal anyway, the LED flashes several times in rapid succession.

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Exit warning

Exit warning improves safety in city traffic. If the car has come to a stop and other vehicles or bicyclists are approaching from the rear, the system warns passengers not to open the doors.

The system does this using LED lights in the door panels. In a dangerous situation the LEDs flicker and light red. The LEDs are also lit in the relevant exterior side mirror. The exit warning remains active for approximately three minutes after the ignition is turned off.

This system is based on the radar sensors of Audi side assist, which monitor the zones behind the vehicle and to the sides at the rear. Depending on the model the exit warning is extended by an additional feature: If the system is active, opening of the electronic door locks is delayed one second.

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Collision avoidance assist

Collision avoidance assist helps the driver steer around an obstacle in a critical situation. The system uses data from the two radar sensors and the front camera to calculate a suitable evasive maneuver corridor. It takes into account the distance, width and offset of the vehicle driving ahead. It is also active while throughout the maneuver.

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Creative Lab Topic 2

DESIGN RESEARCH

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Curb warning

Parking system, plus

The curb warning identiďŹ es curbs that pose a risk to the tires or wheels. If the system detects a critical situation, it alerts the driver to this in the optical parking system display on the MMI monitor. To scan the surroundings the system uses primarily the 360 degrees cameras.

Parking system plus informs the driver, visually and audibly, about obstacles in front of and behind the vehicle. The warnings are made when the distance to a detected object in the path of driving is less than 90 after the driver has engaged reverse gear and activated the system by pushing a button on the center console.

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A white segment shows a detected object outside of the driving path. Red segments represent detected objects within the driving path. The virtual driving path display also shows lateral guidelines. Increasing frequency of the audible warning indicates that the distance to the obstacle is decreasing.

Multicollision brake assist

It automatically brakes the vehicle in the event of an accident, reducing the danger of skidding as well as the risk of further collisions. The function uses the relevant sensors to detect a collision; the severity of the crash and the speed reduction are calculated by the safety computer to trigger an automatic brake application, taking the system status into account. If the driver accelerates, the vehicle is not automatically braked.

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Creative Lab Topic 2

DESIGN RESEARCH

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High-beam assist

High-beam assist utilizes a camera on the interior mirror to detect light sources – the headlights of oncoming vehicles, taillights of other road users and the reflections of municipality limit signs and automatically switches between high beam and low beam lighting. Drivers of oncoming vehicles are not blinded by glare.

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Cruise control

Cruise control maintains a desired driving speed constantly starting at around 30 km/h that it can be maintained by engine power and engine braking effects. The system offers relief to drivers in this way – especially on long trips. At the same time, the constant speed mode of driving contributes towards lower fuel consumption and lower CO emissions. The system is deactivated when the driver brakes.

Speed limiter

The configurable speed limiter limits driving speed to a value set by the driver within the speed range of 30 to 250 km/h which is very helpful within city limits or construction zones, for example. When the preset limit is reached, the vehicle gently speeds down. The speed limit is not exceeded even if the driver applies more pressure to the accelerator pedal. However, the driver can temporarily override the limit by kick-down, and the speed limiter can be completely deactivated at any time from the steering column stalk. The speed that has been preset is shown in the instrument cluster.

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Crossing assist

Crossing assist recognizes critical cross traffic in front of the car and warns the driver visually and audibly. At speeds up to 10 km/h, it initiates a short braking action when needed. Crossing assist is active at vehicle speeds up to 30 km/h. It uses data from the mid-range radars and the laser. If the driver wants to ease into an intersection or exit with poor visibility, he or she can push the parking button and this sends the images from the 360 degree cameras to the monitor, it drastically expands the field of view, and the driver can choose from among multiple views.

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Creative Lab Topic 2

DESIGN RESEARCH

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Laser scanner

Three sensors with various strengths that complement each other and the central driver assistance controller which generates a detailed, deeply contoured, static image of the surroundings from all the sensor data making automated driving possible.

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Maneuvering assist

Maneuvering assist recognizes moving and larger stationary objects such as a pillar in a parking garage or a moving vehicle and helps to avoid collisions using warning steering impulses and by autonomously braking the car to a stop. The system uses the optical parking system in the MMI to display its steering and parking interventions.

The surroundings are scanned using at least the ultrasonic sensors and the 360 degrees cameras.

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Night vision assist

The night vision assist reacts to the heat given off by objects. Converted to black and white images, the information can be viewed in the instrument cluster or virtual cockpit. The cooler surroundings appear dark, while animals and people appear strikingly bright. The system can detect people and larger wild animals at distances between 10 and 90 meters and highlights them with yellow markings. If a hazardous situation is detected, a warning sound is emitted. A warning symbol appears in the instrument cluster as well as in the head-up display.

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Emergency assist

Emergency assist detects, within system limits, when the driver is inactive. In such a case, the system assumes control of the vehicle and automatically brakes it to a standstill in its own lane.

Creative Lab Topic 2

DESIGN RESEARCH

Emergency assist monitors the driver’s steering activity. If it detects that the driver is inactive, it prompts the driver repeatedly, via visual and audible warnings and by brake jolts, to actively take over control of the vehicle again. The driver can deactivate Emergency assist at any.

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Park assist

Park assist can automatically steer the car into parallel or perpendicular parking spaces. The driver only has to accelerate, brake and shift gears.

The sensors measure parking spaces along the road while driving past them at moderate speed and a message appears on the MMI display when the system finds a suitable spot.

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(Predictive) efficiency assist

Efficiency assist helps the driver to be safe and save fuel. It accesses predictive route data from navigation in order to detect traffic signs and other vehicles, it also uses the front camera as well as data from the front and rear-facing radar sensors.

The driver is shown corresponding information as soon as it is necessary.

If the cruise assist is switched on or the ACC is activated, efficiency assist regulates actively. It decelerates and accelerates predictively and adapts the speed to the course of the road and the traffic situation, also taking vehicles driving in front into account. The predictive system always maintains a driving style that reflects the driving program selected – from efficient to sporty. The driver can override the system at any time by accelerating and braking. The drivers can customize many of the detailed functions in the monitor.

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DESIGN RESEARCH

Creative Lab Topic 2

Cross traffic assist rear

He or she activates the respective systems using the parking button on the display. A message appears on the display when the system finds a suitable spot. The driver can now stop, select smartphone control and get out and start the parking maneuver from his or her phone. The driver sees a live image from the 360 degrees cameras on the smartphone display.

This function warns the driver of approaching vehicles. It uses the rear radar sensors for this.

They cover the zone at the rear, including the driving lanes to the left and right behind the vehicle. The warnings are progressive – initially a visual warning and if the driver does not react an audible signal sounds before the system warns the driver with a brake jolt. This helps to avoid accidents while exiting parking spaces.

(Remote) parking pilot and remote garage pilot These systems enable the car to roll automatically into parallel or perpendicular parking sports or into a garage. The driver either sits in the car or monitors the maneuver from outside via smartphone (remote).

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The car can only pull forward into a garage. Once the vehicle reaches its final position both the engine and the ignition are turned off. When it's time to leave again, the driver can start the car using the smartphone and have it pull out of the parking spot or the garage.

The driver can also start the parking pilot while still sitting behind the wheel.

Creative Lab Topic 2

DESIGN RESEARCH

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Reversing camera

The reversing camera simplifies maneuvering by showing the zone behind the vehicle on the MMI display. It shows the calculated driving track based on the steering angle as well as auxiliary lines and guidelines. For parallel parking, the latter lines precisely direct steering into the parking space in conjunction with steering reversal points. The blue pictured surface in the camera image indicates where the vehicle will be positioned after the parking procedure.

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Traffic jam assist

Traffic jam assist is a subsystem of the ACC or ACA. In vehicles with an automatic transmission it can assume certain steering tasks over a speed range on roads that are in good condition, as long as the traffic is moving slowly.

The system uses the radar sensors and the front camera. It guides the car by making gentle steering movements within system limits and orients itself to lane markings, roadside structures and other vehicles on the road. When the traffic thins out or there is a sharp curve ahead the driver must assume driving tasks again. If the driver does not, the system warns the driver in several stages. As a final measure, it autonomously brings the car to a safe stop.

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360 degrees cameras

The four 360 degrees cameras on the vehicle scan the immediate vicinity and display obstacles within.

They are useful when parking and maneuvering.

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Creative Lab Topic 2

DESIGN RESEARCH

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Traffic sign recognition

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Central driver assistance controller

Camera-based traffic sign recognition detects traffic signs such as speed limit signs no passing zones, entry restriction signs and other auxiliary signs, and it shows them to the driver in graphic form. They then appear in the driver information system as well as in the head-up display.

Conditional automated driving at level 3 is based on two innovations: a sensor set with the laser scanner and a central driver assistance controller known as zFAS, for short. The computer constantly processes sensor signals and uses them to create a complete image of the car’s surroundings.

The camera on the windshield also detects temporary speed restrictions such as in construction zones, as well as time and weather conditional restrictions. In addition, the driver can choose a warning threshold as an offset to the legal speed limit. When this threshold is exceeded, a visual warning is given.

The vehicle is guided precisely within its lane in the model, and this positional information flows into the navigation map that the driver sees. The zFAS serves as the central interface for piloted driving functions and for nearly all of the assistance systems. Each system makes use of the vehicle surroundings model and can operate more effectively as a result of this model’s high precision.

Creative Lab Topic 2

DESIGN RESEARCH

SEAT All these functions are available in a lot of models in the market. The reasearch on other brands of the group brands of the group brands of the group Volkswagen as Seat, Volkswagen and Porche has also been made, although basic functions are very similar in all of them.

Security -

Traffic Jam Assistance

It estimates the distance between the car and the ones near it and controls acceleration, so the vehicle doesn’t go out of the lane.

Blind spot detection system and coming traffic jam alert Alerts the driver if a car is getting closer when changing lane. When parking it stops the car if anything is crossing behind the vehicle even if the driver cannot see it.

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Adaptative cruise control

The driver can fix a constant velocity and this system controls the acceleration according to the traffic movement.

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Creative Lab Topic 2

DESIGN RESEARCH

Front Assist Assistant with pedestrian protection: If the distance between the car in front and the vehicle is reduced and the driver doesn’t react the Front Assist Assistant slows down the car. The pedestrian protection activates automatically the brakes if it detects anyone crossing in front of the vehicle -

Control Panel Digital Cockpit

All the information is gathered on a frontal panel, so the driver doesn’t get distracted. It is a 10,2’ LCD screen. Some of the information it gives is the map and the pneumatic pressure.

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Seat driving profiles:

You can change the mode with an only one button.

The modes available are Normal, Eco, Sport, Individual, Off-road and Snow.

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Tiredness recognition system

It analyses the driver behave and sets standards so when the data the system gets data that differ from the original one, an acoustic and visual alarm is activated for 5 seconds. If the driver doesn’t stop the car during the next 15 minutes the alarm goes off again. If the journeys are long the system has set a limit time of 4 hours. The system goal is to avoid the driver to fall asleep, but it can do nothing if the driver is actually sleep while driving.

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Velocity control

Helps reducing the amount of gas spend, makes it easy to respect the velocity limits. It can be activated from 30 km/h and it has an easy deactivation by pressing the breaks.

Creative Lab Topic 2

DESIGN RESEARCH

EXTRA SERVICES (on the road)

- Parking assistant

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It has ultrasonic sensors to measure the distance between the back part of the vehicle and any other object, it can even take control of the steering wheel.

Involuntary exit lane assistance

It warns the driver if the car is going out of the lane by accident and automatically corrects its direction.

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Road Light assistance

EXTRA INTERNAL FEATURES -

Battery charger

It changes the high-beam headlights to the dipped headlights automatically. It detects all the vehicles around you and helps not to blind the other drivers.

A wireless charger allows comfortable and easy mobile battery charge.

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TraďŹƒc signals recognition system

The system is synchronized with the front camera and the sensors, they detect the security limits, the restrictions to overtake and the near constructions and warns the driver.

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Top view camera (360Âş):

Assists the driving while parking.

Full Link

It allows connection of the phone with the car so the users can take the maximum advantage of their apps at all times.

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Remote heat control

You can set the temperature you want the car to be remotely so when you get to the car is already nice inside.

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Creative Lab Topic 2

DESIGN RESEARCH

VOLKSWAGEN

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The Volkswagen app allows you to have a lot of information of your car:

Information of the vehicle can be sent to the “Official Service”. An assessor can help the client with a personalized solution.

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Parking

Makes easy to find the car when is parked by giving you its location -

Refuel gestor

It controls how much gas is left and an alarm sounds before the car runs out. It helps to plan the stops in advanced.

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Warning lights

It helps the driver and passengers to understand the meaning of all the lights in the car.

Journeys

Data of a trip as distance, gas spent, time and average velocity can be saved. Then it can be analyzed and helps the user to choose the best option the next time.

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Maintenance warning

How to get this service: Download the app (Apple or Google Play) Get the DataPlug, it can be bought at the official Volkswagen Store.

Register in the Volkswagen Connect: Allow the access to your location, configure the app, sign in and follow the steps indicated.

Activate the system with you app.

Creative Lab Topic 2

DESIGN RESEARCH

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High-beam assist

High-beam assist utilizes a camera on the interior mirror to detect light sources – the headlights of oncoming vehicles, taillights of other road users and the reflections of municipality limit signs and automatically switches between high beam and low beam lighting. Drivers of oncoming vehicles are not blinded by glare.

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Speed limiter

The configurable speed limiter limits driving speed to a value set by the driver within the speed range of 30 to 250 km/h which is very helpful within city limits or construction zones, for example. When the preset limit is reached, the vehicle gently speeds down. The speed limit is not exceeded even if the driver applies more pressure to the accelerator pedal. However, the driver can temporarily override the limit by kick-down, and the speed limiter can be completely deactivated at any time from the steering column stalk. The speed that has been preset is shown in the instrument cluster.

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Distance control parking

An acoustic warning and 4 sensors that helps you park.

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Tempomat

It maintains the velocity constant, respecting the limits and helps the driver in long distance journeys.

SEMI-AUTONOMUOS VEHICLES SERVICES: (level 2 of 5) -

Lane assist

Intelligent systems using cameras detects lane lines corrects involuntary movements, so the car doesn’t go out the lane.

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DESIGN RESEARCH

TraďŹƒc Jam Assist Assists the driver in jams, it automatically keeps the distance between the car and one in front. It can stop the vehicle in case it is needed.

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Park assist

Finds a place to park and takes control of the vehicle maneuvering without any action of the driver. It leaves only 40 cm between the car behind.

Augmented reality

Allows the driver to see deviations without taking the eyes out of the road. All the information appears in the windscreen.

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Gesture control technology

You can change the song you are listening with a simple gest. (This feature is implemented in the Golf).

INTUITIVE USE - ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

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This system warns about trafďŹ c signs, speed and any important messages without the driver having to take your eyes off the road.

Eye tracking system

It can offer you the information on the screen only when you are looking at it.

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Head up Display

Creative Lab Topic 2

DESIGN RESEARCH

CONNECTED CAR (New e-Golf)

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The driver doesn’t have to be inside the car to set the desired route, the information the information can be sent from a phone.

Intelligent cars

Vehicles will learn from each kilometer and they will share information between them. A car will automatically know if there is a traffic jam or constructions nearby.

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Remote car opening

With a phone it will be possible to let some else access to your car. Allows new ways to share vehicles.

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Early wake up

Set the route from home

PORSCHE -

Lane Keep Assist

Camera-based system for automatic detection of divider line markings on the road. Actively counter steers if your vehicle inadvertently threatens to leave the current lane.

If your car detects traffic jams on a route the user takes to go to work, for example, it can wake him up 10 minutes early so he gets at work on time.

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Creative Lab Topic 2

DESIGN RESEARCH

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Lane Change Assist

Monitors the driver’s blind spots and areas to the rear of the vehicle on both sides. A visual signal in the corresponding exterior mirror informs the driver that a vehicle has been detected in the adjacent lane.

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Speed limit indicator

Camera-based recognition of speed limit, “no overtaking” zones and various other signs in interaction with the vehicle sensor system.

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Traffic Jam Assist:

It actively guides the vehicle along with gentle steering inputs and follows the queue ahead where system limitations allow. In the process, it takes into consideration roadway markings and other vehicles on the carriageway.

Adaptive Cruise Control:

Radar-based technology that automatically maintains a specified distance from the vehicle in front by gently braking the vehicle as required.

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As is can be seen, all 4 brands of the Volkswagen Group share almost all the security systems, although the range makes a difference. For this reason, other brands been also include as Volvo and BMW, so all the group can have a wide perspective.

Creative Lab Topic 2

DESIGN RESEARCH

VOLVO Volvo is one of the brands that has different and innovative security systems.

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Adaptive Cruise Control

It automatically maintains a safe distance from the vehicle in front.

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360º Surround View:

Bird’s-eye view of your car and surroundings that let you see obstacles all around you.

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Drive Alert Control:

System that alerts you if you are getting drowsy or inattentive at the wheel and prompt you to take a break.

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Rest Stop Guidance

The system gives information about safe places for the car to stop.

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Active High Beam Control:

Allows a driving with high beams on all the time, without dazzling others. It detects road users ahead and automatically shades part of the high beams to avoid dazzling other drivers. It provides an optimal light and safety is improved for everyone.

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Blind Spot Information System

It uses radar sensors to alert about the traffic around the vehicle and advise the driver if it is safe to change lanes.

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Creative Lab Topic 2

DESIGN RESEARCH

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Lane Keeping Aid

It detects if you start to leave your lane unintentionally and gently steers you back on track.

- City Safety It detects danger ahead, warns the driver and prepares the brakes for a quick response. If a collision is imminent, it brakes automatically, making a collision less likely or reducing its impact.

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Pedestrians Detection

This function detects pedestrians on the road ahead, whether they are stationary or moving into the vehicle’s path. If there is no answer to the warning, the car automatically brakes, which can lessen the impact. ·

Cyclists Detection

Warning system that advise the driver if a cyclist swerves in front of the car and automatically brakes if a quick response is required. ·

Turn safely

Intersection braking technology that detects if you are about to turn into the path of an oncoming car.

It brakes if necessary, to reduce the severity of the impact, or avoid it altogether.

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Creative Lab Topic 2

DESIGN RESEARCH

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IntelliSafe Autopilot

Autonomous driving technology.

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Pedestrian Airbag:

BMW Some of the functions present in the BMW models are the following ones: -

Connected Drive

This function automatically inflates on impact to cover the windscreen and lessen any injuries, protecting those outside as well as inside the vehicle.

The system allows you to maneuver in traffic jams, keep you at a safe distance when necessary and react very quickly in situations of risk.

CONFIGURATION

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Park Assist Pilot Head Up Display: The front display screen projects important information for drivers as if it appeared two meters ahead of the vehicle. It shows the actual speed, speed limit, navigation indications and more information at the same time.

Two cameras built into the front wheel arches enable crossing traffic to be observed. The driver can see the video image in the Control Display, thus allowing driver to “peek around the corner” at blind junctions or exits where the line of sight is obstructed.

Side View

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Creative Lab Topic 2

DESIGN RESEARCH

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Speed Limit Information

It shows whether any speed restrictions apply, or whether overtaking is currently prohibited. A special camera also captures all the relevant traffics signs, while a camera mounted in the interior mirror correctly identifies any additional pictographic signs.

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BMW Night Vision

It provides a range of vision that well exceeds the beam from the headlights, making it possible to identify people and large animals at night from up to about 300m away. The system also calculates whether the identified objects pose an actual risk.

It a blinking red symbol in the display, an acoustic warning triggered, and the brakes primed for optimum responsiveness.

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High-Beam Assistant

A camera installed close to the interior mirror monitors the traffic situation and reacts immediately to any light sources at distances of up to 1.000 meters. Depending on the visibility, the system decides when the headlights should be switched to high beam. The lights are also automatically dimmed when street lighting is enough.

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BMW Selective Beam

It provides excellent visibility in the dark without dazzling other drivers. The system detects other road-users and selectively excludes them from the high beam headlight distribution. Beam ranges of 400m ensure early detection of risks.

Creative Lab Topic 2

DESIGN RESEARCH

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Radar sensors permanently scan the carriageway, adapting the speed and maintaining the distance from the vehicle ahead.

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Lane Keeping Assistant

Active Cruise Control

Steering and Lane Control Assistant

It can be activated to support the driver in monotonous trafďŹ c situations, driving the vehicle independently. The system conveniently supports steering and keeps the vehicle in the center of its lane. It automatically maintains the desired distance from the vehicle ahead and regulates the car’s speed down to standstill if needed.

It actives side collision protection, which actively intervenes in steering to avoid leaving the lane unintentionally, or colliding with objects to the side of the vehicle. If Approach control warning is activated and a vehicle in front brakes, the car reacts immediately with warnings of increasing intensity, light braking and ďŹ nally full braking. The system is on when not using automatic driving mode.

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Lane Departure Warning

The system alerts the driver to a potentially unintentional lane change via a gentle vibration of the steering wheel. This happens as soon as the car goes over the lane markings, giving the driver plenty of time to react.

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Creative Lab Topic 2

DESIGN RESEARCH

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Lane Change Warning

The radar-based Lane Change Warning detects vehicles in the blind spot as well as vehicles in the neighboring lane, alerting the driver by a triangular warning symbol on the exterior mirrors. If, despite this, the driver motions to change lanes by activating the indicator, she or he is alerted to the danger of the situation by a vibration in the steering wheel and a ashing triangular warning symbol on the exterior mirrors.

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Drive Assist

It combines the camera-based systems Lane Departure Warning and Collision Warning. The system warns of collisions with vehicles or pedestrians at speeds of 6 to 37 mph and brakes in an emergency. (Approach and Pedestrian Warning + City Brake Activation). Eco, Sport, Individual, Off-road and Snow.

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Head-up Display

It projects important driving information such as speed limits, the fuel gauge and radio stations onto the windscreen of the vehicle, right in the line of sight, so the driver keeps attention focused where it belongs - on the road ahead.

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Park Assist

It can park the vehicle completely automatically, parallel or perpendicular to the street. The system works by measuring potential spaces while driving past them at a low speed.

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Remote Control Parking

This assistance system lets the car do the parking.

It parks itself by moving forward into, or reversing out of, a tight parking space or garage, even after the driver has exited the car. Once parked, the engine can be switched off via the BMW display key, and can also be restarted via the key.

Creative Lab Topic 2

DESIGN RESEARCH

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Rear View Camera

The camera allows the area behind the car to be viewed in the Control Display when maneuvering and parking, and enhances visibility when reversing at speeds below 12 mph. Interactive lines indicate whether the chosen parking space is big enough, and support the driver by making parking area in color on the Control Display.

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Park Distance Control

Using ultrasound to measure the distance to any obstacles that may be present, front and rear system warns the driver acoustically and shows distances in the Control Display. The system switches on below a distance of 80 cm when the vehicle is moving and 30 cm when stationary.

Surround View

It gives a 270-degree or 360-degree all-round panorama view. It improves vision, particularly when driving in and out of difďŹ cult entrances or parking in tight spaces via a combination of cameras in the exterior mirrors and a Rear View camera. In addition, two digital cameras on the left and right at the front of the vehicles transmit images onto the Control Display. At junctions this makes it possible to see crossing trafďŹ c approaching in good time.

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DESIGN RESEARCH

trend analysis With all the information of the classic functions and the most innovative ones the idea of what path the automotive sector will be following is a little bit clearer.

All the functions are aiming for the same: reduce the human error and give as much information as possible to the car so it can warn and act on any hazardous situation to prevent accidents from happening and allow a more relaxed driving experience.

Nowadays, the self-driving cars are already a reality and they will play a very important role in the future. With this new technology human error as distractions, sleepiness and slow reflex will be avoided. One of the major handicaps related to these vehicles is the lack of regulation in the present which hopefully will be fixed in the years to come.

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Creative Lab Topic 2

For all these reasons, in the future the cars will increase the number of functions available but also modify the ones that will no longer have sense as there won’t be any driver to warn or distractions to prevent. This fact will change the way we see cars today, that’s why it has been decided not to focus only on security systems in this project, but also in new ways to experience and enjoy the driving.

DESIGN RESEARCH

Creative Lab Topic 2

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DESIGN RESEARCH

accident analysis Accident statistics show that everyone is at risk of suffering a road accident: every year there are nearly 140.000 victims (injured or dead) in Spain as a result of traffic accidents.

However, the risk of a traffic accident is not the same for all road users. The human factor is key to the study of these accidents. Age is a factor that is closely related to the probability of suffering one type of accident or another and the consequences derived from it.

Creative Lab Topic 2

MUTUA MADRILEÑA RESEARCH According to a study conducted by Mutua Madrileña, after taking a sample of 1,800,000 non-professional drivers from all over Spain, they wanted to observe the factors that most influenced road accidents (how, when and why).

The following conclusions were extracted: 15% of drivers have caused at least one accident in the last three years Of this group of drivers, 13% seem to have learned their lessons and improved their driving habits, and have not caused a traffic accident again in that period.

Although most people learn from error and seem to acquire more prudent driving guidelines, there are at least 480,000 drivers (2% of Spain's total) who keep driving recklessly and are responsible for 2 or more accidents in three years.

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DESIGN RESEARCH

Creative Lab Topic 2

As the time goes by these drivers relax and more than a third of these drivers (160,000) cause an accident again within an average period of 6 month.

50% do within the following year.

Galicia, Asturias and Cantabria, respectively, concentrate the most repeat offenders (almost 3% of their drivers), unlike Madrid and Castilla la Mancha, with only 1% of them.

Men and women reoffend causing an accident again in equal proportion, with no difference between genders. Both seem have similar behaviour. After causing an accident, they have the same rates of recidivism and, therefore, the same chances of causing another one.

The repeat offender type proďŹ le causing trafďŹ c accidents is a Cantabrian coast driver under 30 years of age.

Young people between the ages of 18 and 29 learn the least from their driving mistakes: they are 75% more likely to cause an accident again than the rest of the population.

Women have fewer accidents than men.

The most notable difference occurs in the case of men under 30, who on average have 25% more accidents than women of the same age.

Men's accidents are more serious than women's.

Those under 30 have almost 4 times more accidents with injuries than those over 60.

They can cause more than 2 accidents in 3 years and are 75% more likely to repeat them. Continuing with the analysis based on age, it should be noted that the over-70 population is the one who takes the most extreme cautions after an accident.

They are the group that has the least chance of originating one again.

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Creative Lab Topic 2

DESIGN RESEARCH

Drivers under 30 suffer almost 280% more accident injuries than drivers over 60. Young people's accidents often occur in leisure-related journeys, where the driver is accompanied by friends, resulting in a much higher number of injuries.

Women start driving later than men and leave sooner. Men use the car more than women and also from younger to older ages. In fact, the age range where women use cars the most is between 30 and 50.

In men, the critical age range for the severity of the accident is between 40 and 50 years.

TEMPORAL ACCIDENTS GROUPS

In general, this difference is due to the fact that men in this age range opt for more powerful and expensive vehicles, thus increasing the severity of the accident and the cost of repair resulting from it.

In addition, the driving experience acquired by men in this age bracket is sometimes offset by overconďŹ dence and greater relaxation in complying with trafďŹ c rules, such as drinking alcohol during work lunches.

COMPARISON OF BETWEEN AGE

In general, the number of victims increases in the summer months, although this increase is higher in teenagers. In the rest of the groups, the distribution remains relatively stable throughout the year.

Drivers between the ages of 60 and 65 have the fewest accidents. However, in this age group there is a special circumstance: the frequency of parking claims increases with the age of the driver, unlike other types of claims.

Chart 21: Percentage distribution of victims by month (2000-2004)

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Creative Lab Topic 2

DESIGN RESEARCH

The weekly distribution of victims is different.

While the accident rate for teenagers and young people is concentrated on the weekends, the adults and the elderly one is distributed throughout the week. In adults, accidents have an important occupational component.

Graph 23: Percentage distribution of victims at night (23-06 hours)

GENDER AND COMPARISON Graph 22: Percentage distribution of victims by day of the week (2000-2004)

It is at midday (12-15 hours) that the greatest number of victims over the age of 65 is recorded.

As for young people, more than half of the victims are registered during the night (23-06 hours). In this time slot, only 1% of those injured are over 65 years of age. The distribution of adult victims is fairly homogeneous throughout the day.

LESIVITY

In general, men's involvement in traďŹƒc accidents is higher in all groups. 70% of teenageers male victims stand out. As age increases, also does the percentage of accident female victims.

The percentage of serious injuries is also higher when the victim is an older person. It can be said that age is directly related to the severity of the injuries.

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Creative Lab Topic 2

DESIGN RESEARCH

CONCLUSIONS OF THE STUDY ACCORDING TO AGE Teenagers Every year more than 9,500 teenagers are victims (injured and killed) in traffic accidents. They suffer accidents in motorcycles (64%) in cities (2 out of 3 are injured in urban accidents).

70% of adolescent victims are boys. Seriousness increases with age, 44% of those killed are 17 years old.

Teenagers are the least likely to use safety devices at the time of the accident: 40% do not wear a belt and 23% do not wear a helmet. Their behaviour is impulsive, they have little road training and are guided by the decisions of the group.

They like to exhibit themselves, and this leads them to perform risky manoeuvres, especially when accompanied.

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Young adults Every year 60,000 young people are involved in traffic accidents. 42% of road traffic accident victims are young people.

68% of young people die in a car: 43% as drivers and 25% as passengers. In accidents, the main offences are overtaking and encroachment on the opposite lane.

Young people exceed speed limits twice as much as adults and almost four times as much as those over 65. Young people's accident rate is mainly due to their attitude towards traffic and safety.

Creative Lab Topic 2

DESIGN RESEARCH

Adults

The elderly

Every year more than 57,000 adults are victims of a traffic accident. In the period under review, the percentage of adults who were victims of traffic for work purposes increased by 14%

Every year more than 10,000 die in a traffic accident. The rate of deaths over the age of 65 is much higher than the average: 68 deaths per 1,000 victims compared to an average of 37 in the adult group and 25 in the youth group.

Sixty-three percent of adults drive cars, and 3 out of 10 have an accident on their way to work.

They tend to have accidents during the week, during the day and they involve rear-end collisions.

They drive longer, have more experience and respect the rules to a greater extent. Their accident rate is probably due to greater exposure to risk.

36% die as a pedestrian, and 24% as a driver.

Women are more important in this group than others, with 43% of deaths.

In general, they are the ones who experience the most deaths of all the groups, even though they take the least risks and know their limitations.

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Creative Lab Topic 2

DESIGN RESEARCH

NEW CAR TECHNOLOGIES CAUSE ACCIDENTS The first human factor involved in traffic accidents are the distractions. There are the usual distractions as looking for something in the glove compartment. Others are more related to devices that we can find in the vehicles, technological distractions. And finally there is another new model of distractions related to a lack of knowledge of the advanced functions that vehicles, such as the speed limiter, warning system,the change lane assistant, etc.

Another point of concern is that there is a great deal of ignorance about the technologies that incorporate the most modern vehicles, systems of interaction between the driver and the automobile, which are a great help in avoiding accidents traffic.

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THE STOCKS PROBABILITIES ACCIDENTS

WITH TO

HIGHER CAUSE

Spanish drivers recognise that they carry out certain actions that regularly cause distraction at the wheel, such as using the windscreen wipers or lights in 97% of cases or raising and lowering the windows in 94%, while 89% regulate the air conditioning, and 88% manipulate the radio. These actions, although more frequent, imply a lower level of distraction.

Among the actions declared to be performed while driving, there is a second type where the level of distraction is higher because the risk of not being attentive to traffic increases. For example, there are 42% of drivers who regulate mirrors while driving, 22% who confess regulating the position of the seat or headrest, and 28% of drivers acknowledge that they operate the navigator/GPS while driving.

Creative Lab Topic 2

DESIGN RESEARCH

Finally, there is a third group of actions that are performed to a lesser extent, but involve greater distraction and therefore a higher level of risk. We are referring to 4% of drivers who access the internet from the vehicle, 14% who while driving try to synchronise devices with the vehicle, 16% who look for objects in the glove compartment or 22% who use the on-board computer.

This study also shows that drivers do not really know what many of the aids in today's cars are used for. The results conclude that there is a high degree of ignorance among users about new technologies.

The most unknown are the "Fatigue Detection System", which 51% of drivers admit they don't know what it is.

The use of new technologies for driving aids is very important, as it is their development. But emphasis should also be placed on promoting them and informing people so they make good use of them, as misuse can cause distractions and accidents.

THE MOST COMMON GENERAL CAUSES OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS Speeding Overstepping the accelerator on roads that drivers think they know well is one of the main reasons for trafďŹ c accidents.

Alcohol and drugs A glass and a half of beer in one person is enough to test positive in the breathalyzer test. More than 60% of all driving offences are caused for driving under the inuence of alcohol or drugs.

The absent-minded According to Fesvial (Spanish Road Safety Federation), 45% of accidents could be prevented if drivers were always paying attention to the road.

Bad weather

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DESIGN RESEARCH

Fatigue Fatigue, according to the DGT, is directly or indirectly related to between 20 and 30% of all trafďŹ c accidents. Tiredness is not just falling asleep, the driver loses alertness, concentration and reaction speed as he or she spends hours behind the wheel.

Use of the mobile phone IIt causes 190,000 ďŹ nes a year, plus countless accidents for not paying attention to the road.

Tyres The element that transmits all the power to the asphalt and the only component of the car that touches the road, a much more attention should be paid to it than it actually is.

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Creative Lab Topic 2

DESIGN RESEARCH

Creative Lab Topic 2

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DESIGN RESEARCH

Creative Lab Topic 2

conclusions The first step on our research was understanding the current situation and getting to know what users want nowadays. This let us find the way of improving what we have and knowing what users want and also what they don’t want to have in the vehicle while driving.

Regarding the accidents research, the basic idea is that distractions are one of the main causes of accidents, so for the driver to be able to access some information in a way wouldn’t put its safety or the occupants’ in danger, it would be a good way to reduce the percentages.

In order to understand the psychology of light and color, a study was done to better understand how the subject of light (intensity, colour, pulses, etc.) affected people and the environment that surrounded them, according to the nature of the illumination.

To be able to implement all the ideas in a real prototype, information about the material used as LEDs and programming language was researched.

An study of the situation of the safety elements in a car was also carried out to not to interfere with them while building the prototype.

As for the market research, the majority of the functions found would be aimed at reducing the human error and give as much information as possible to the car so it can warn and act on any hazardous situation to prevent accidents. As the future of the automobile sector is bound to the appearance of autonomous cars, the non-driver related functions will start playing a very important role.

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DESIGN RESEARCH

Creative Lab Topic 2

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CONCEPTUA OF THE PRO Project requirements by Volkswagen Creative dynamics: list of ideas (Brainstorming) JustiďŹ cation design proposals

ALITZATION OJECT

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CONCEPTUALITZATION OF THE PROJECT

Creative Lab Topic 2

project requierements The topic initially proposed by the Volkswagen Group was “What can you do with a fully programmable RGB-LED-Strip in the car?”.

It is a really simple question but at the same time really open. No more guidelines were given to the group but not to exclude any idea.

The initial impression was that the project proposal was very simple, however, as the group started to work, it was realized the wide range of possibilities, and consequently, the amount of information and tests that were going to be required.

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All the functions developed had to be integrated into a regular car and they could be related to functionality, security or entertainment. They could be focused on the driver or passengers indistinctly, no target user or any other particularities about a specific type of passengers were given.

About the process we had to follow there were 4 basic phases:

01

One important requirement was specified: the light should allow interaction with the users to create different reactions on the passengers.

They could be focused on the driver or passengers indistinctly, no target user or any other particularities about a specific type of passengers were given.

02

So, the project mainly focus on how these LED strips could interact with the driver, as well as the rest of the passengers. The functionalities could be related to functionality, security or entertainment.

04

03

Ideation Phase: in what the goal was to come up with as many ideas as possible taking into consideration ambient, music, motion, user interaction, etc.

Concept development: in this phase, some previous topics had to be chosen and fully developed.

Concept prototyping: implementing the chosen ideas: developing the software and inserting the LED-Strips into the car.

Testing & Tuning: All the programs had to be tested and users feedback recollected.

In all the phases, related documentation had to be generated.

CONCEPTUALITZATION OF THE PROJECT

project requierements

Creative Lab Topic 2

About the technical requirements, the materials (hardware) used were high resolution LED strips with a high digital response and a wide chromatic range.

The last requirement from Volkswagen was to be able to test the functionalities with real users, so the disposition and eect could be tested, as well as the reactions of the users analysed.

These strips would have to be controlled through a Raspberry Pi module, or alternatively, with Arduino controllers. The implementation inside the car should have to be done without affecting the safety or the driving.

Thanks to the collaboration of the Volkswagen Group, the results of this project would be implemented in a real car, model Seat Alhambra.

Electronic information was provided and some advice on what components to use in the process was also given.

01 02

Powerful digital LED-Strips: with high resolution (144 LEDs/m), RGB colours and fast response.

With all this information the group began to work.

Mini-Computer Raspberry Pi: easily programmable.

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CONCEPTUALITZATION OF THE PROJECT

creative dynamics

Creative Lab Topic 2

In order to start creating new ideas, the group decided to do three dierent creative dynamics. Thanks to these dynamics, they could bring up ideas that in another way couldn't have been born.

01

Q&A to put the group in dierent driving-related situations

02

Brainstorming - First ideas

03 70

Brainstorming - Final ideas

CONCEPTUALITZATION OF THE PROJECT

creative dynamics

Creative Lab Topic 2

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CONCEPTUALITZATION OF THE PROJECT

creative dynamics

Creative Lab Topic 2

To come up with as many ideas as possible, a simple dynamic was carried out. Several questions were suggested to help the members of the group to put themselves in different driving-related situations and explain how they were feeling.

Different types of users were taken into account as well as different weather conditions and time slots.

Some of the questions asked were:

how would you feel ... ... if you were a young person alone driving a car at 2:00 pm during the week? ... if you were a parent with teenagers driving the car at 9:00 pm during the week? ... if you were a young person with friends driving the car at 9:00 pm on the weekend?

how do you feel ... ... when you drive while it’s raining? ... when going as a passenger doing a usual route with someone you trust, for example a family member?

All the information about the questions and the answers given can be found in the annex 01/ Initial dynamics.

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CONCEPTUALITZATION OF THE PROJECT

creative dynamics

Creative Lab Topic 2

After all the questions, it was noticed some of the feelings appeared repeatedly:

Anxiety and nervousness.

Relaxation in the car at the end of the day.

Concern about visibility in rainy days and in night time.

Discouragement for traffic jams in certain hours.

Distraction and abstraction due to monotony when doing the same routes regularly.

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CONCEPTUALITZATION OF THE PROJECT

creative dynamics

Creative Lab Topic 2

Focusing in all the ideas collected in the first dynamic, a Brainstorming was done, during which the firsts ideas for the topic appear.

Car in motion LED strip from side to side of the dashboard would turn red when an emergency braking was needed to avoid accidents.

LED strip in front of the passenger seat from side to side that would let the rest of the passengers know what movements the car would be going to do next.

Short LED strip placed on the steering wheel or the dashboard that would fill or empty depending on the revolutions of the car.

LED light that would indicate the driver’s level of tiredness. If the fatigue detector would detect a non-safe state of the driver, an intermittent LED on the dashboard would light up to let him or her, and the rest of the occupants of the vehicle know, a rest stop should be made.

To show that the eco mode was being used, the LEDs on the entire dashboard would turn green, with more or less intensity depending on the exterior light.

LED'S placed around the entire vehicle compartment. When another vehicle, person or object would approach the car, the LED’s in that side would light up.

To influence the mood of the driver while driving, ambient lights would be placed with LEDs around the interior of the car. Study of colors for each state would be used.

LEDs would light up to allow the passenger to do tasks such as studying, working or reading without disturbing the driver in night journeys.

Imitation of the outside environment, with similar color lights ... (If it rains, the interior lighting would be a blue color, and depends on the intensity of the rain, it will be one intensity or another blue color).

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CONCEPTUALITZATION OF THE PROJECT

creative dynamics

Creative Lab Topic 2

Car parked Parking assistant: LEDs would be placed around the interior of the entire vehicle. Working with a proximity sensor, if something approaches the car the LEDs of that inside side would light up to let the occupants know.

Extras Lights in the vehicle's storage trays. An NFC chip would detect the most common objects that are carried everyday, and would ash the lights red to warn the driver if something was missing so nothing would be forgotten.

Illumination of important parts of the car for the driver, such as changing gears, so they can be seen at all times. The intensity of the light would be very low, just enough to indicate where they were.

LED strip in the hook of the belts. When someone was on the seat without fasten his seat belt, the light would intermittently light on in red.

Integration of the lights on the dashboard on the windscreen, this way a more visual communication with the assistant can be achieved.

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CONCEPTUALITZATION OF THE PROJECT

Creative Lab Topic 2

creative dynamics

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Extra Lights

Driving-Assistance Lights

Projection Lights

Ambient Lights

Door Lights

At the end of the brainstorming a list with all the ideas was made. They were classiďŹ ed according to where they would be placed in the car.

CONCEPTUALITZATION OF THE PROJECT

creative dynamics

Creative Lab Topic 2

Projection Lights They would be positioned at the front part of the dashboard, where it meets with the windscreen. In this way, the lights are reected on the windscreen and can be seen by the driver without taking the eyes out of the road.

Lane deviation: would warn the driver in case the car was going out of the lane.

Rest stop indicator: would light up when a rest for the driver was needed, specially in long trips.

Sudden appearance: it would light up red if unexpected pedestrians, other vehicles or animals would get in front of the vehicle.

Real-time route information: in highways it would give real-time information about coming traďŹƒc jams so the driver would has enough time to slow down.

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CONCEPTUALITZATION OF THE PROJECT

creative dynamics

Ambient Lights They would be placed following the exterior aerodynamic shape of the car, in the sides of the ceiling and on the doors.

Driver’s State Mode: would be activated when the driver had feelings that could affect his safety on the road. Using the psychology of color and light , it would try to redirect these feeling to a more relaxed ones.

Sports Driving Mode: it would capture the movement of the car in the LED strips based on the idea that each LED has mass and inertia.

Music’s Rhythm Mode: the lights would light up and change according to the rhythm of the music.

Chameleon Mode: light on the inside of the car would light up with the predominant colors of the outside.

Set Color Mode: the user would be able to choose the color and the intensity of the lights using an App.

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Creative Lab Topic 2

CONCEPTUALITZATION OF THE PROJECT

creative dynamics

Creative Lab Topic 2

DAL Lights It’s position would be in the steering wheel so the driver can have an easy access to all the information.

Car’s state: would give information about gas level, state of the wheels, etc.

Speeding warning: it would alert the driver and the passengers if the speed of the vehicle was over the legal limit.

Alternative route: it would show the driver alternative routes when there was a situation that may cause a delay.

Smartphone interaction: it would allow a safer interaction with other devices in the car as the driver could interact with them through the light.

Opened doors: it would warn the driver if any of the door would remain open when the car was started.

Outsider object sensors: they would detect external objects getting closer to the car.

Two hands on the steering wheel: it would warn the driver if he or she had stayed too many time with only one hand on the steering wheel.

Passengers state: it would give information to the driver about the state of the back-seat passengers. Useful for parents with small kids.

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CONCEPTUALITZATION OF THE PROJECT

creative dynamics

Door Lights These lights would be placed on the doors.

Time stopped warning: it would light up when the car was parked in a loading area more time than allowed.

Remaining route time: it would give information about how many time was left to arrive at the destination.

Completed route time: it would give information about how many time had passed since the beginning of the route.

Game Mode: some games could be played using the lights on the doors, the details should be speciďŹ ed further on.

Safe Exit Mode: if the door locker was unlocked, the strips on the doors would light up green if it was safe to exit, what means there wouldn't be anything approaching the car, and red if it was not safe.

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Creative Lab Topic 2

CONCEPTUALITZATION OF THE PROJECT

creative dynamics

Creative Lab Topic 2

Extra Lights These last group is a mix of several ideas which couldn’t be included in any of the other categories.

Seat belt spot light: a small light placed on the seat belt buckle would light up when entering the car so the buckle could be found easily. Really useful when it’s dark inside of the vehicle or there is a lot of people entering.

Seat belt reminder: small light would be placed on the seat belt buckle and would flash if the car was started and the seat belt hadn’t been fastened yet.

Road hazard strip + weather information: it would give information to all the occupants of the vehicle of possible upcoming hazards on the road or dangerous weather conditions.

Sound warning: it would alert the occupants of the car if there was too much noise in it that could distract the driver or bother people on the outside.

Eco/Gas mode change indicator: it would change the color of the light to green if the eco mode was on.

Relevant zones indicator: it would indicate the situation of certain areas as door handles, gearbox and others.

Child car seat correct position indicator: it would flash when the seat was in the right position and the belt was correctly fastened.

Light on clue thing of the car: to would make it easier to find it.

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justification design proposals CONCEPTUALITZATION OF THE PROJECT

Creative Lab Topic 2

To be able to further develop the ďŹ nal ideas, the group decided to shorten the amount of functions proposed in the brainstorming.

These ďŹ nal functions were divided into three categories according to their placement. Ambient lights, Seat belt lights and some of the Door functions were chosen.

In this way, the group would be able to have a uniform distribution of the lights inside the car and at the same time an extended variety of functionalities to test.

AL Ambient Lights

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DL Door Lights

SBL Seat Belt Light

CONCEPTUALITZATION OF THE PROJECT

justification design proposals AL

DL

The way they can be placed on the car allows the implementation of a great variety of light modes, increasing the quality of the driving experience and guaranteeing the safety inside the vehicle.

Directly focused on giving information to the passengers and improving the children experience inside the car using games.

Driver’s State Mode Sports Driving Mode Music’s Rhythm Mode Chameleon Mode Set Color Mode

Creative Lab Topic 2

SBL From the Extra lights group only one function was chosen, the Seat belt spot light. The main reason why this was included was because its simplicity and at the same time usefulness. It was thought to be relevant enough to include it in the final selection.

Safe Exit Mode Completed Route Time Game Mode “Guess the route” Game “Catch the light” Game

To start, an analysis of the interior of the Seat Alhambra, the car granted by Seat to develop our prototype, was made in order to know where the different LED strips could be placed.

Once the interior had been analysed, it was decided to distribute the LED strips so they followed the aerodynamic shape of the car to blend them in and enhance the vehicle’s shape. In addition, thanks to a study of the security systems present inside the car, all the elements that could not be interfered by any other thing for safety reasons, as airbags, were clear.

Once the final function selection was made, a further development was done in order to be able to later implement them into the prototype.

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CONCEPTUA DEVELOPME 01

Definitive ideas

02

Function’s flowchart

AL ENT

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CONCEPTUAL DEVELOPMENT

Creative Lab Topic 2

definitive ideas Once we had all the ideas from the Brainstorming, we chose the ones we liked the most and developed them a little bit more. A hierarchy was also created to ensure safety at all times.

All this information will be explained below.

AL

Ambient Lights

All the functions proposed were classiďŹ ed into 3 groups, according to the areas where the LED’s are placed.

AL

Door Lights

SBL

Ambient Lights

DL

Therefore we have:

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This variety of light modes will be focused on giving a safe and comfortable driving experience.

Include those lights focused on giving information to the passengers and games for children.

Seat Belt Light

Only one one option is included in this type but it has been considered relevant enough to not discard it.

DL

Door Lights

SBL

Seat Belt Light

CONCEPTUAL DEVELOPMENT

definitive ideas

Creative Lab Topic 2

Ambient Lights 01 02 03 04 05

Driver’s State Mode Sports Driving Mode Music’s Rhythm Mode Chameleon Mode Set Color Mode

01 Safe Exit Door 02 Completed Route Time 03 Game Mode “Guess the route” “Catch the light”

Door Lights

Seat Belt Light

01 Seat Belt Light

09 87

CONCEPTUAL DEVELOPMENT

Creative Lab Topic 2

definitive ideas AL

Ambient Lights

DRIVER’S STATE MODE This is the most safety-related function and has priority over all the others. It is activated when the driver is too excited or angry and these feelings can affect his behaviour on the road, leading to dangerous situations.

With a soft green wavy movement light, its objective is to redirect those feelings to a more stable and safe one. This particular color and movement choice is based on the color research made in previous phases: green color is related with a calm state of mind and the low-intensity and wavy movement reduces the reactions these emotions cause and helps to calm them down.

Driver’s State Mode Green wavy movement light to calm the emotions of the driver

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To detect the state of the driver, three types of detectors are proposed:

01 02 03

Facial recognition: using a camera and a specific program, the emotions and feelings the driver has at every moment can be analysed and this mode activated when necessary.

Hand detectors: using a heart rate detector, similar to those used on gym machines, the driver’s state can be known.

User profile: each of the possible drivers of the vehicle can log in at the beginning of the trip, a record of their regular driving behaviour is saved until the vehicle has enough data to identify the driver’s habits. Thus, when these habits are altered the vehicle can detect if the behaviour is being risky, and if so, activate this safety mode.

CONCEPTUAL DEVELOPMENT

definitive ideas AL

Creative Lab Topic 2

Ambient Lights

SPORTS DRIVING MODE This function tries to capture the movement of the car in an LED strip as it happens.

It is based on the idea that each luminous point of the LED strip has mass and, as every other thing inside the vehicle, it is aected by inertia.

So, when the car has a constant velocity the lights are still, but if the vehicle accelerates the lights intensity raises at the back of the car and, on the other side, if the driver is braking, the light intensity is higher at the front of the vehicle.

This is a natural way to integrate the lights into the interior and have them participate in the driving. The color used for this program is purple.

Sports Driving Mode If the vehicle accelerates, the lights intensity raises at the back of the bar

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CONCEPTUAL DEVELOPMENT

definitive ideas AL

Creative Lab Topic 2

Ambient Lights

MUSIC’S RHYTHM MODE When this mode is chosen and music is playing in the car, the lights will light up and change according to the music rhythm.

The color can be previously chosen by the user through the screen menu.

Music’s Rhythm Mode The lights will light up and change according to the music rhythm Chosen by the user

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CONCEPTUAL DEVELOPMENT

Creative Lab Topic 2

definitive ideas AL

Ambient Lights

CHAMELEON MODE This program's main goal is to introduce the exterior landscape into the vehicle, so the passenger can start becoming familiar with the surroundings.

The light on the inside of the car lights up with the predominant colors of the outside, for example, when you are going through a forest the light will be green however if the vehicle is going through a snow-covered landscape the lights would be white.

By doing this the journey would be much more enjoyable.

Chameleon Mode The light lights up with the predominant colors of the outside

This function attaches the elegance and comfort necessity witnessed by our surveyed.

Depends on the predominant color of the outside

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CONCEPTUAL DEVELOPMENT

Creative Lab Topic 2

definitive ideas AL

Ambient Lights

SET COLOR MODE The user will choose the color and the intensity they want to display in the lights using the App. There will be a great variety of color choices.

Set Color Mode The user will choose the color and the intensity they want Chosen by the user or by the program

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Other option for the user will be to let the program choose a random color that will be changing from time to time.

CONCEPTUAL DEVELOPMENT

Creative Lab Topic 2

definitive ideas DL

Door Lights

SAFE EXIT MODE The aim of this function is to give the user information about when it’s safe to open the door and when it’s not.

Set Color Mode

The handles will have proximity detectors so when the door is going to open the light will automatically light red or green, depending on if the outside proximity detector detects a hazard or not.

The proximity detector allows the led to be on only when the information is required so the user doesn’t get useless information during the rest of the trip.

Indicates when it’s safe to open the door and when it’s not Depends on the information detected

It’s safe to open the door

It’s not safe to open the door

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CONCEPTUAL DEVELOPMENT

Creative Lab Topic 2

definitive ideas DL

Door Lights

COMPLETED ROUTE TIME As the name says, this function gives information about the state of the route, more accurately of the percentage of the route that has already been completed, and it is located in the back doors.

At the beginning of the trip all the strip will be off.

As the trip goes on and the car moves forward the light fills up with green light, so when the car arrives at its destination all the strip is green. At this point the whole strip will light up green and turn off.

The loading will use data from the navigation system and will update itself in case there is some change of the trip.

Apart, there are two special points, a blue one situated at the right of the strip indicates the end of the trip. So, if the car is dark inside, the passengers can still see the portion of the trip that has been completed in relation to the end.

The other light is orange and only appears in long trips. It indicates the moment when the driver has to stop because he has been too much time driving and needs to rest.

Completed Route Time As the trip goes on and the car moves forward the light fills up The light fills up with green light

The driver has to stop, 2 hours driving 94

End of the trip

CONCEPTUAL DEVELOPMENT

definitive ideas DL

Creative Lab Topic 2

Door Lights

GAME MODE Driving is fun.

This is the basic idea we want to transmit to children.

Several games have been designed, some of them allow the smallest ones to participate in the driving experience through the phone using an App. The games will be only available for the passengers in the back.

It was also taking into account the fact the motion sickness had to be avoided so they don’t require the user to be constantly looking at the screen.

Game Mode Allow the smallest ones to participate in the driving experience Depending on the game

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CONCEPTUAL DEVELOPMENT

Creative Lab Topic 2

definitive ideas DL

Door Lights

GAME MODE In the first game called “Guess the route” the users have to predict the direction that is going to take the car.

This option makes sense if, for example, the driver is driving inside a city or a place where the car has to turn repeatedly.

Then, using an App, the passengers choose whether they think the next movement will be left, right or if the car will go straight. Once the car has moved, the light indicates if the user has got it right, with green color, or not, with red.

This game can be played for one single user or by two. If this last is the case, is becomes also a competition, what can make it even more fun.

The second game proposed is called “Catch the light”.

At the beginning of the game, the user will see a static single led which indicates the target and another dynamic light moving from left to right repeatedly.

The goal of the player is to stop the moving light when it is in the same place that the static one using the App. If the player hits the target, the whole strip light blinks green, on the contrary, if the player misses it blinks red. There are different levels where the difficulty increases as the game progresses. The colors used are blue, yellow and purple.

As the user accomplishes levels the strip fills up with blue light. This indicates how many hits have been done right and also makes it more difficult to see the light as the levels go on.

Guess the route.

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Catch the light.

CONCEPTUAL DEVELOPMENT

Creative Lab Topic 2

definitive ideas SBL

Seat Belt Light

SEAT BELT LIGHT This is a very basic function but the group has considered very useful.

Lots of times when we enter in the car we have trouble finding the seat belt fasteners, can be because it’s dark, or maybe the car is full, etc.

To solve this problem, a small led strip is placed surrounding each seat belt fastener so they can be easily seen.

This light lights up when the car detects the weight of a person on the seat, and it turns off as soon as the seat belt is fastened.

If the car starts moving and is detecting weight in that seat but the seat belts hasn’t been fastened, the whole led strip will start blinking to warn the passengers.

Seat Belt Light Small led strip placed surrounding each seat belt fastener The light lights up when detects weight

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definitive ideas

Chameleon Mode LED stripes’ color changes as the landscape does.

Sports Driving Mode LED stripes’ intensity raises at the back of vehicle of as it accelerates.

Completed Route Time It gives information about the estate of the route.

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Driver’s State Mode LED stripes’ color changes as the driver’s mood does.

Music’s Rhythm Mode Light and music are syncronized so the passengers experiment a complete new driving experience.

Safe Exit Mode As the driver unlocks the doors LED stripes’ color indicates whether it's safe to exit through each door.

Set Color Mode The light color is chosen for the driver.

Seat Belt Light Short LED strip helps the passengers to spot the seat belt.

Game Mode Exclusive for the back doors LED stripes.

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CONCEPTUAL DEVELOPMENT

function’s flowchart

Creative Lab Topic 2

The different functions implemented in the vehicle have different priorities, to clarify which ones are more important a flowchart has been made.

For safety reasons, if the car detects that the driver is too excited, tired or in a stat that may cause an accident, it will activate the safe driver state lights automatically to change his mood to a safer state to drive.

If the car detects a very dangerous situation, the emergency mode is activated, and all the lights turn off so the driver can focus on the road.

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If the driver is in a state that may cause an accident

Safer State to drive

If the car detects a dangerous situation

Emergency Mode

CONCEPTUAL DEVELOPMENT

Creative Lab Topic 2

function’s flowchart Start

Seat belt lights turn off

Weight detected by the seat

Open the car

Yes

Is the seat belt fastened?

Seat belt lights turn on where weight is detected

Yes

The light menu is activated

No

“Ascendent time” program turns on

The car is started

Yes

Is the ascendent Is the chameleon timing chosen? mode chosen?

The last light programmed turns on

The car is moving

Yes

“Chameleon mode” turns on

Yes

“Sport mode” turns on

Yes

“Driver’s State Mode” turns on

Yes

“Color Mode” turns on

Yes

“Music Mode” turns on

Is the driver’s condition safe?

No

No

“Guess the route” program turns on

Yes

Is the “Guess the route” door game activated?

No

“Catch the light” game turns on

Yes

Is the “Catch the light” door game activated?

No

Is the sport mode chosen?

No

Is the driver state mode chosen?

No

No

Is the color mode chosen?

No

Is the music mode chosen?

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DESIGN OF L PROGRAMS 01

Lighting control software

02

Design of the Bluetooth application

03

Operation and explanation

04

Connection and electrical part

LED

103

DESIGN OF LED PROGRAMS

prototype functions

Creative Lab Topic 2

Regarding the prototype, we wanted to focus on a few specific functions. That way, we could ensure that a few of them were functional despite having developed all of them conceptually.

Once this was decided, these are the functions that we worked on: AMBIENT LIGHTS

DOOR LIGHTS

In order to decide which functions were applied on the prototype, what we did was to decide which LED strips we wanted to work on. Because of that, we decided to work on the strips that followed the aerodinamics of the car inside of it, including the strips on the doors. This includes the Ambient Lights and the Door Lights.

Driver’s state mode Sports driving mode Music’s rhythm mode Chameleon mode Set color mode

Completed route time Game mode

This way, as the main programs which we wanted to implement were the most complex, once the hard work of placing all the material was done, we could use it to design simpler programs on these same strips.

Sports Driving M

LED stripes’ intens at the back of veh it accelerates.

104

DESIGN OF LED PROGRAMS

Driver’s State Mode Chameleon Mode

LED stripes’ color changes as the driver’s mood does.

Music’s Rhythm Mode Light and music are syncronized so the passengers experiment a complete new driving experience.

LED stripes’ color changes as the landscape does.

Mode

Safe Exit Mode

sity raises icle of as

As the driver unlocks the doors LED stripes’ color indicates whether it's safe to exit through each door.

Completed Route Time

Game Mode

It gives information about the estate of the route.

Creative Lab Topic 2

Set Color Mode The light color is chosen for the driver.

Seat Belt Light Short LED strip helps the passengers to spot the seat belt.

Exclusive for the back doors LED stripes.

105

DESIGN OF LED PROGRAMS

Creative Lab Topic 2

lighting control software To control the strips across the car three conditions were set: - The connections would be permanent, with no changes between the functions, and any demand for another program will be set by software.

The user would have the control to decide which program were activated.

- No computer or person would be necessary to control the LEDs or change the settings during the tests, the system would be completely autonomous.

At the beginning we thought all the strips across the car could be controlled by just one Arduino MEGA. This decision was made because the Arduino language and its interface are quite easy to learn and use.

Although the MEGA didn’t have very high processing power, it was very suitable for the required demands and it had enough inputs and outputs for all the wiring needed.

106

When all the wiring and connections for these settings were done it was realized that something was wrong, the programs took too much time to respond to the demands and they were pretty slow on the execution of the algorithm.

It looked like the Arduino MEGA didn’t have enough processing power, so an Arduino DUE was bought. This last model is very similar to the Arduino MEGA but with a six-time faster processor. The results were still not satisfactory.

After a lot of hours of research and having asked for help to several teachers, it was found that the led strips use a specific protocol of communication, SPI. This protocol used a high-frequency transmission of data, but it needed two specific ports to send all the informacion, the problem was that there was only one group of SPI ports for each Arduino controller.

DESIGN OF LED PROGRAMS

Creative Lab Topic 2

lighting control software

At this point, the group was running out of time, the final presentation was in 6 days. Two solutions for this problem were found, one practical and easy to execute and the other difficult but excellent for the car. Due to the lack of time left, it was decided to implement the first one.

Finally, the Arduino DUE was used, along with an accelerometer, to detect real-time acceleration and send the values to the laptop so it could distribute this values to the other Arduinos.

If the group had had enough time, the laptop would have been replaced for a Raspberry PI 3B+ with all the sensors connected to it. The wires in this case would had been permanent, four Arduinos would had been connected to the Raspberry and no wire-related changes would had been needed to change the programs.

Lighting-control software final solution Two Arduino UNO were used to control the srtrips placed on each side of the roof, the Arduino MEGA controlled the dynamic LEDs of the doors, and the Arduino DUE was used to control the static LEDs of the doors.

For each program, Arduino changes had to be made. For the Music’s Rhythm Mode, a laptop was used to process the songs. To fix the Sports Driving Mode, the lower strips of the door were left with a still plane color and the rest of the strips were wired to the Arduino MEGA.

SPORT

Accel

DUE

Laptop

UNO

Left roof

UNO

Right roof

MEGA

Doors

107

DESIGN OF LED PROGRAMS

design of the Bluetooth application To be able to change the program during the test without reprogramming the Arduinos it was necessary to create an Android application that could communicate via Bluetooth with them and allow an easy and simple interaction between the system and the users. This also would allow a faster change of the programs during the tests.

The app is an interface that includes all the programs available and the control of the games.

Once a function is selected the Android device sends a character and the controller acts depending on the information received. So, every program, color or action has a one digit code that is sent via Bluetooth from the App to the Bluetooth module attached to the Arduino.

The app was made using the MIT App inventor page, which is a tool for developing applications.

It is really easy to use even without any previous experience.

108

Creative Lab Topic 2

DESIGN OF LED PROGRAMS

design of the Bluetooth application

Creative Lab Topic 2

Interactive screen An interactive interface has been designed for the user to be able to control the different functionalities offered.

33

109

DESIGN OF LED PROGRAMS

Creative Lab Topic 2

operation and explanation Driver’s state mode

Sports Driving mode

Designing this function was quite easy, the goal was to make a wave that could go through the led strip creating the feeling of peace and relaxation.

In order to achieve that, an array of high-intensity green light was used.

This one was possibly the most difficult program, after having to dismiss the initial idea for not being able to implement it into the prototype, a solution was found. A mobile element that could move along the strip was programmed, the idea was to create a movement similar to the one that an air bubble has inside a bottle full of water when you bend it.

To understand this function a single LED has to be imagined, it starts lightning up with a soft green tone and progressively changes to a more intense one, then it does exactly the opposite, goes from the intense color to a softer, creating a cycle. So when you put together all the LED’s doing this same light patron but with a little desynchronization, the result is a soft green wave.

This is made using five arrays, one inside the other, with them a the sinusoidal movement is recreated. The delay inside the loop of the refresh rate is the one that determines the speed at which the array will move.

110

To implement this concept an accelerometer was used to read the values of the real-time acceleration and filter them, with a specifically designed filter. Each value had a specific position on the strip and when a new value was received the mobile element would move to the new position.

DESIGN OF LED PROGRAMS

operation and explanation

Creative Lab Topic 2

Music’s rythm mode

Chameleon mode

For the implementation of this function, a lot of research about the relation between maths and sound had to be done. The main goal was to get to know how to move light with the rhythm of the song as each song has the rhythm on different frequencies.

The Chameleon Mode uses an external RGB sensor that transforms the light to digital values.

The main problem found when implementing this function is the short range of the sensor. As the the sunlight is too bright it is detected as white and if no other element is really close the predominant color detected will be always white.

To understand the idea used in this case, one LED have to be imagined again. The first LED of the strip receives the information of the rhythm of the song in real-time. The second one receives the same information but with a time-delay, in the third, this delay increases and this goes on for all the LEDs of the strip. So the occupants of the car can literally see the song go by as they are listening to it.

The Fast Fourier Transform of the song is used to get the real-time values of the song. After this process, this values of the intensity and the frequency are transformed and unified again in order to store them in the first position of the strip. The music is processed using an external laptop where the songs are saved, after the calculations are finished they are sent via serial communication.

To record the video and create the images of this function that will be included in this memory, the result of this mode have been manually modified in order to be able to show how would it work.

Set color mode This is the simplest function that has been implemented. The color can be selected by the user using the Bluetooth module, what it simply lights the order received. It has all the colors coded in one digital character just to avoid the overuse the serial communication and slow the whole process.

111

DESIGN OF LED PROGRAMS

operation and explanation

Creative Lab Topic 2

Completed route time

Catch the light

As the group didn’t have any experience collecting and reading the data from the GPS, this program was modified manually so it would show the results it should. It was programmed as a pre-recorded sequence that slowly filled the strip until it was completely full.

To create this game the group wanted to be a challenge for the user. Although it seems like something simple, it is a little bit tricky. The goal was to stop a moving point in the exact place where another randomly generated light was.

Door games Guess the route For this program, as it was not possible for the group to programme the real game because the data of the GSP was not available, the results of the programme were manually inserted.

So when the user selected a direction, a random number between 1 and 3 was generated and if the number generated match the one of the route, the light would light green.

A light sequence would appear to generate suspense before giving the answer.

112

Each time the user hits the target, the light turns green. After that, the strip lights a color to distract the player and the moving point starts moving again, this time faster. Combining this two things with the delay made by the communication and the processing, it turns the game into a relatively difficult goal to achieve.

The speed of the moving point is generated with a delay of milliseconds. The programming wasn’t difficult at all but the calibration of the difficulty was delicate point.

DESIGN OF LED PROGRAMS

Creative Lab Topic 2

connection and electrical part Power wiring The power wiring was a difficult topic, these led strips are quite special about their specifications.

They need a constant input voltage of 5V and they consume about 2A of current per each meter at full intensity.

Once the car for the prototype was delivered it was decided to order all the necessary materials.

An estimation of how many meters would be needed was done. Including some extra strips for safety, 22 meters of LEDs were bought. For powering such a large quantity of LEDs, the initial idea of using the car system was discarded because none of us had the knowledge to do so, so an external power system was used.

To store the energy a big car battery was bought, the problem was that it gives 12V, not 5V that the strips require. After the battery was chosen, the next step was to choose converters that could convert from 12V to 5V, but with the requirement that the current could be 20A at the most.

Luckily the converter needed was available, it could manage high intensity, otherwise, the converter doesn’t have a specific output voltage, it has to be set with other components. 4 capacitors and a potentiometer were welded to each converter. 5 converters were bought with the idea that three of them will be used and the other 2 spare ones.

So, all the components used for the powering system are: - 12V, 24Ah lead acid battery.

- 250W, 16A dc-dc converter.

- AWG14 cable.

- Fuse.

- Fuse holder.

- 22 mF, 47mF, 100mF, 35V capacitors.

- Potentiometer.

113

DESIGN OF LED PROGRAMS

connection and electrical part The circuit design starts at the battery which gives the power to all the circuits, then three converters, previously configured, are connected to convert the 12V to 5V. The fuses are placed after the converters as they already have inside protection against burnouts and the LED strips don’t. Finally, after the fuses, two wires go to each strip of the car, this final stage is the one that holds the longest wires in order to decrease the loses.

114

Creative Lab Topic 2

Data wiring For the implementation in the prototype short pin wires were bought so little testings with the strips and the Arduinos could be done. These wires didn’t need to be wide because the electrical intensity that pass through them is small, these wires end up being pretty useful, so the group decided to use them for the prototype.

The problem was that these wires were very short, so an extensions have to be made so an extra long wire was bought and welded to the rest of the system so we had the same result but longer wires.

DESIGN OF LED PROGRAMS

Creative Lab Topic 2

connection and electrical part Power supply circuit Vled = 5 V

Vin = 12 V

+ -

Vin = 12 V

115

PROTOTYPIN 01

Step-by-step process

02

Final results

03

Implementation problems

NG

117

PROTOTYPING

step-by-step process

118

Creative Lab Topic 2

01

Design of the position of the LED strips

02

Purchase of materials

03

Correction of the intensity of the LED strips with fabric

04

Placement of the LED strips inside the car

05

Wrong connection between the LED strips and the system

PROTOTYPING

step-by-step process

01 02

Creative Lab Topic 2

Design of the position of the LED strips At the beginning of the project the Ambient Lights were designed to look sporty following the outside aerodynamic of the car but in the inside, but once the Seat Alhambra arrived we had to redesign this concept.

The Seat Alhambra is a familiar car, it’s principal function is to be useful, wide enough for all the family and comfortable.

Furthermore, the inside geometry doesn’t look like what we thought on the first day.

03

The redesign consists of changing the first aerodynamic lines into ones more linear like the car itself. The strips that originally were placed on the doors, now are on a more visible spot and the strips on the roof have been reduced.

04 05

119

PROTOTYPING

step-by-step process

01 02 03 04 05

120

Purchase of materials To integrate the LEDs in the interior design of the car, it has been decided to buy fabric with a similar color of the place where they will be placed.

The LEDs will be wrapped in black and grey fabric, which are the two tonalities of the interior of the vehicle.

To stick the fabric to the LEDs and these on the corresponding part of the car, we need double-sided adhesive tape. We also bought insulating tape to protect the junctions of the LED strips wires.

The LED strips have four connections, two for the power and two for the data, to work properly we need different types of wires that will be connected to the Arduino (data) or the dc-dc converters (power system). Double-sided adhesive tape, insulating tape, and anges are required so that the wires do not disturb the interior of the car.

We also need all the electrical parts explained above.

Creative Lab Topic 2

PROTOTYPING

step-by-step process

01 02 03 04

Creative Lab Topic 2

Correction of the intensity of the LED strips with fabric One of the reasons why we bought fabric to wrap the LEDs was the adaptation to the design of the car, but another was the correction of the intensity of the LEDs. The light from the LEDs was too direct for the users of the vehicle, so it disturbed the view.

We tried to modify the intensity of the LEDs, but it emitted low light and did not look good. The fabric allowed the light to pass through it without being too shiny and bothering the eyes. So we had to ďŹ nd the layers of fabric the LEDs needed.

Depending on the fabric and the color, the layers varied. The strips of LEDs that went on the roof of the car, were wrapped in gray fabric using three layers, as this fabric was very thin and the color was clear and so it let light pass better than black.

Therefore, in the strips that were placed in the doors of the car only used a layer of black fabric, as this was more opaque.

05

121

PROTOTYPING

step-by-step process

01 02

Placement of the LED strips inside the car Once the position has been decided and the LED strips are prepared, it is time now to settle them in their position.

The difďŹ culty within this process is not the placement itself but the wiring of the strips.

The wires must be as discreet as possible and should be easy to order and identify which wire comes from which strip.

03 04 05

122

The battery, the converters, and the controllers will be placed in the back of the car, it means that very long wires will be needed.

There are four wires for each strip, so we tried to pass them under the seats, we made them pass through the spots that we thought that could disturb less the people inside the car.

The result is a bunch of wires crossing everywhere and ending all in the back with some tags to identify which wires are from each side, which ones are the positive and the negative on the powering system and which ones correspond to the data and clock signal for the data transmission.

Creative Lab Topic 2

PROTOTYPING

step-by-step process

01

Creative Lab Topic 2

Wrong connection between the LED strips and the system Even though we tried to have all the things placed in order, some wires may have been mistagged.

02

3 burnouts were made by us, after each one we had to recover new strips with fabric, place and wire them again and check all the installation in case of another failure.

Not only the power system was the one that we had problems with, some data wires, which are way thicker, result to be bad welded and with the movements and the pulls these wires needed some maintenance.

03 04 05

123

PROTOTYPING

final results

124

Creative Lab Topic 2

PROTOTYPING

final results

Creative Lab Topic 2

125

PROTOTYPING

final results

126

Creative Lab Topic 2

PROTOTYPING

final results

Creative Lab Topic 2

127

PROTOTYPING

final results

128

Creative Lab Topic 2

PROTOTYPING

final results

Creative Lab Topic 2

129

PROTOTYPING

final results

130

Creative Lab Topic 2

PROTOTYPING

final results

Creative Lab Topic 2

131

PROTOTYPING

final results

132

Creative Lab Topic 2

PROTOTYPING

final results

Creative Lab Topic 2

133

PROTOTYPING

final results

134

Creative Lab Topic 2

PROTOTYPING

final results

Creative Lab Topic 2

135

PROTOTYPING

final results

136

Creative Lab Topic 2

PROTOTYPING

final results

Creative Lab Topic 2

137

PROTOTYPING

Creative Lab Topic 2

implementation problems

Making a real prototype from some concepts it’s a tough task, here is a summary of the most important problems we had across all this time.

138

06

Too much wires: power supply + data

05

Battery + electric converter

04

Waiting for the product deliver

03

Short-circuits

02

Arduino SPI

Electric converters weld

01

PROTOTYPING

Creative Lab Topic 2

implementation problems

To make the converters we had to learn how to weld small components. The component plates were very small and the wires we had to use were larger on thickness, so it made the task difficult. The thickness of this wire was also a problem when welding capacitors to it, as they were easily detached.

The LED strips use a specific communication protocol and use the SPI output ports of the Arduino, at the beginning we didn’t know that so we connect all the strips to the same board, and the board tried to emulate by software the connections that are made by hardware. This did cost us not only money but a lot of time looking for information, asking for help and tried to find if the problem was on the program itself and changing it.

Arduino SPI

02

Electric converters weld

01

139

PROTOTYPING

Creative Lab Topic 2

implementation problems

Our lack of experience in laying out wires cost us three burnouts that broke some strips. This problem kept happening to us so we lost a lot of time remaking new LED strips.

Sometimes it could take days, even weeks, to complete our online purchases, so we were behind in our work.

140

Waiting for the product deliver

04

Short-circuits

03

PROTOTYPING

Creative Lab Topic 2

implementation problems

The final days before the presentation we had a problem with the converters and the battery, the LED started blinking and changing color randomly. With the desperation and the time running, we decided to work on the only two things that haven’t been maintenance yet, the battery and the converters.

We made 2 more converters and connected to the system in case the other three were carrying on too much stress and we charge the battery with a special battery charger in case the output voltage wasn’t high enough for the converters.

In the car, there were 14 LED strips, and each LED strip had two power wires and two data wires. The roof strips could be joined in pairs but the rest had 4 wires each. In addition, depending on the program used, the strips required another negative wire to work properly. So there were a lot of wires inside the car. This caused several short circuits and the loss of a lot of time, as the cables were checked several times. It also made it hard to find the cable you were looking for when you needed it.

Too much wires: power supply + data

06

Battery + electric converter

05

141

BUDGET

143

BUDGET

Creative Lab Topic 2

budget Mouser Code Compra 1

Compra 2

Compra 3

Amazon

RS code

Item

408-209

Manguito para cable

597-857

Batería de plomo ácido 12V 24Ah

918-1300

Convertidor dc-dc no aislado, 250W

120-8413

Cable Cinta Plano 3M

687-7607

Cables de conexión Alpha Wire Rojo

687-7604

Cables de conexión Alpha Wire Negro

563-766

Fusible de coche RS PRO

167-9382

Portafusible Aéreo 3M

124-5483

Adafruit DotStar 72 LED Strip

715-4084

Arduino Mega

832-6369

Cinta de tela de doble cara

547-7180

Condensador cerámico multicapa 22μF

727-0824

Condensador electrolítico 100μF

788-3060

Condensador cerámico multicapa 47μF

460-7526

Potenciometro con bobinado

909-BLE-SERIAL-HC-06

BLUETOOTH-SERIAL-HC-06

485-1334

Adafruit RGB Color Sensor 137-3331

Raspberry Pi 3 Modelo B+

141-1989

Hub USB

847-1015

Cable USB USB 2.0

769-7409

Arduino Shield Arduino Uno SMD Convertidor dc-dc 3,3V 5V Arduiono DUE

Leroy Merlin

Tela

Valpi

Cinta aislante Bridas Cinta de doble cara

144

BUDGET

Quantity

Creative Lab Topic 2

Prize/unit

Subtotal

4

11,23

44,92

1

85,29

85,29

5

52,47

262,35

2

36,7

73,4

1

42,79

42,79

1

42,79

42,79

5

0,229

1,145

5

2,38

11,9

32

51,27

1640,64

1

40,95

40,95

1

75,42

75,42

20

5,66

113,2

10

0,937

9,37

10

1,423

14,23

10

19,75

197,5

1

8,68

8,68

1

6,94

6,94

1

38,82

38,82

1

13,31

13,31

4

20,57

82,28

2

22,01

44,02

3

8,26

24,78

1

39,4

39,4

2

15

30

6

3

18

3

4

12

4

8

32

TOTAL

3006,125

145

USERS TESTS 01

Objectives

02

DeďŹ nition

03

Results

147

USERS TESTS

objectives Why is it important to do user-tests?

Once the group presented the physical prototype during the final presentation on April 10th at SEAT (Martorell), it was the moment when we started to work on user tests.

The objective is focused on knowing the reaction of the different user profiles to the different functions of our prototype.

Thus, we will be able to fulfill the role that has been established or otherwise, must implement a series of improvements to solve the problems detected.

148

Creative Lab Topic 2

USERS TESTS

Creative Lab Topic 2

definition How to develop them succesfully?

We have thought that the best thing to do is not "provoke" any feeling before going to the car.

We do not know to what extent the games or tests that we can really propose will make you feel like we want or if they all react in the same way.

In addition, the fact of causing some sensation with the game for a few minutes does not believe that it is maintained throughout the driving experience.

That is why we have thought that the best thing to do is to ask the initial questions of validation and knowledge of the user before going to the car and from this cause the situations at that moment.

01 Encounter with the user

02 Start of the route by car

03 End of the route by car

04 Validation questions

149

USERS TESTS

definition 01 02

Encounter with the user We will give an initial speech explaining the procedure and objectives of the test.

PRIOR QUESTIONS with the aim of knowing the user before beginning the route Name and age Are you studying and / or working?

03

What have you done today? How was your day?

Do you have a delivery soon? If so, how do you take it?

Where would you like to be at this time? (Put options)

04

How long did you take your driving license?

How do you feel when driving?

How many days a week do you take the car?

In what hours of the day do you usually drive? When do you like it more?

Are there situations that disturb you by car?

What sensation causes you to drive by listening to music?

What kind of music do you like to hear more when you drive? What do you like the least?

150

Creative Lab Topic 2

USERS TESTS

definition 01 02 03 04

Creative Lab Topic 2

Start of the route by car We will test the user in a situation of anxiety.

Simulation of anxiety situation guiding the user to an area with traffic and music in a loop Without telling the user that they are testing how the light affects their emotions, they will simply be asked to choose the function of the lights that they want to activate (as if we want to test their operation). They will be informed that throughout the journey we will change the configuration of the lights as part of the test.

We will guide the user to an area with traffic and there will be put music in a loop that has told us that they do not like it. While we are unemployed, a call will be simulated with someone from the university who tells us that we must return the car in X minutes because they must be taken to SEAT (the person who goes to the back seat can notify someone so that they call when we are in traffic).

The point is to create the anguish of not being able to get through the traffic to the person who is driving and feel it is their responsibility.

At the moment when the anguish situation (call) begins to change the mode of lights that the user has chosen for the color we determine that causes anguish (fixed red, for example). After a few minutes, while the situation of anguish is still alive, the color will change because it causes the opposite effect, that is, a relaxation situation (green with movement, for example).

151

USERS TESTS

definition 01 02 03 04

152

End of the route by car We will test the functions of the car once stopped.

Testing the functions once the car has stopped to know if he or she understands it If there is time, it would be good to ask the user what understands for each of the functions that there is as an option on the tablet (chameleon, sport ...).

Once the user gets out of the car, validation questions will be asked regarding the different situations we have simulated and the experience itself (without saying it has been a simulation).

Creative Lab Topic 2

USERS TESTS

definition 01 02 03

Creative Lab Topic 2

Validations questions We will ask the user some final questions of validation.

FINAL QUESTIONS with the aim of knowing more about the reactions of the user Do you think that the first lighting mode that you have chosen has affected your driving in some way? (in positive or negative) How did you feel when we experienced the traffic situation? And the call? Have you noticed any change in how you felt according to the lighting at all times?

Did you notice the changes in lighting? Do you think they have affected your way of driving?

04

What purpose do you think have each light configuration you have seen along the route?

Would you like to have the possibility to implement this lighting in your car? Because?

Do you think that in some cases the safety of driving in positive or negative can affect?

Have you ever found that illumination has led to a distraction from the road?

153

USERS TESTS

results In spite of having the process sheet of our user tests fully specified, we have finally not been able to carry them out as successfully as we would have liked. This has been due to a lack of time between the group and the participants.

Since the dates dedicated to the tests were in the exam period, it was very difficult to coordinate the tests among all the participants.

As a group, we considered that we could not provide the information with sufficient quality that we wanted to have at the time we designed the operation of the tests. The time was insufficient and this was going to cause that we left aside other important aspects, las the realization of the final memory, causing that none of the tasks was carried out with the desired quality.

It is for this reason that, once designed the operation of the tests and seeing that the time was insufficient to provide quality content, we decided to get involved in the writing and layout of the final report instead of carrying out fewer quality user-tests that couldn’t have helped us as much as we would like.

154

Creative Lab Topic 2

USERS TESTS

Creative Lab Topic 2

155

FINAL CONCLUSIO 01

Reflections

02

Acknowledgements

ONS

157

FINAL CONCLUSIONS

reflections

158

Creative Lab Topic 2

We all have found this project really interesting as we have been able to work on several areas which we are not used to in our studies.

We are not used to working on such practical projects, and having a real car has allowed us to try everything we had designed conceptually.

Having such a multidisciplinary team has been very useful and it has become one of our main strengths when working and making decisions.

Testing our ideas on the prototype has let us understand which functions had been designed wrong so that we could correct them.

This project has meant for most of us a first contact with what a real project is, and with what we will find once we finish our studies.

Despite having had a few issues while setting the LED strips on the car, we are very proud of the results and we can say that we have answered the question that our topic suggested.

FINAL CONCLUSIONS

acknowledgement

Creative Lab Topic 2

We would like to give a special thanks to our mentor Adrian Brietzke and our teachers Carlos RĂ­o and Beatriz Amante for having supported us through the whole project. We also want to thank Volkswagen, UPC ESEIAAT and Carnet for giving us the opportunity of working on this project.

159

161

ANNEX

Q&A how would you feel ... … if it started to rain while driving?

I try to be as focus in the road as I can.

Wanting to know if all of the safety elements of the car work properly.

Concerned about visibility.

Quite while driving.

I trust the car, I fell no fear.

It is going to be traffic jams.

I feel the car is going to skid.

I slow down for the water and to ensure I have enough time to break in case I need to.

I watch the monitor to see weather information.

Anxious for having to slow down.

I pay special attention when passing black spots.

The mood changes over time, I suffer from headaches.

I turn off the radio to avoid distractions.

I pot the music very loud so I don’t hear the rain.

I assume I am going to spend more time in the car.

Discouraged.

Nervous and anxious.

The city usually is a mess, nobody knows how to drive when it rains.

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Creative Lab Topic 2

ANNEX

Creative Lab Topic 2

Q&A how would you feel ...

… if you were a young person alone driving a car during the week at ...

7:00 am

Concerned about if is there enough gas when starting a car.

Anxious, in a hurry to arrive as soon as possible.

Tired, asleep, slowly awakening. With slow reflexes.

Distracted for the radio and the GPS. Abstracted: Driving without paying attention, due to inertia, the monotony and the routine. Thinking about other things.

Nervous. Not being able to overtake other cars, avoid traffic jams.

Cheerful happy to start the day.

Focused on avoiding animals appearing in the middle of the road in rural areas.

Bored for the monotony of a route already known.

Concentrated because of the recklessness and dangerous acts made by other users that can lead to accidents: dangerous overtaking, faulty signaling, ...

Nervous due to the little experience in cases of integration in a large road for example.

Effective. Among several routes, I try to choose the fastest one.

Concerned about visibility. Sun, light and annoying reflections can blind you.

Hungry, I have not had breakfast yet.

Nervous for things that will happen during the day.

Annoyed for the cold, wishing to be in bed.

2:00 pm Hungry.

Sleepy and drowsy before eating.

Sleep - drowsiness after eating Thinking about what I have to do in the afternoon.

I would put the autopilot because of the monotony, it knows the route.

Cheerful by music. Active.

Tired, I get in a bad mood.

Relaxed, there is no hurry.

I make a personal reflection, relaxing and thinking about what happened during the day.

Stressed, with no unable to relax and forget about what I have done in the morning.

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ANNEX

Creative Lab Topic 2

Q&A how would you feel ...

… if you were a young person alone driving a car during the week at ...

164

6:00 pm

9:00 pm

Relaxed, there is no hurry.

I would get mentally away. Think about what I have to do.

Stressed, nervous for the traffic jams.

Assuming the road is going to be chaos.

Focus on the changes in the road to arrive sooner.

Resigned by time I am going to spend on the road.

Worried about the sunset visibility.

Tired.

Tired Stressed Indifference to the time of arrival.

Trying not to let myself go to the road monotony.

Worried for the bad vision Concentrated Tending to speed up.

Relaxed, wishing to rest after all day.

ANNEX

Q&A

Creative Lab Topic 2

how would you feel ...

‌ if you were a young person with friends driving a car on the weekend at ...

9:00 pm Cheerful With loud music on.

Responsible: thinking about parking, radars, security, etc.

Trying not to get distracted by others.

Talking to the people in the vehicle.

Enjoying the moment.

Wishing to arrive.

I would like not to have to worry so much.

Focused on the danger points warning.

Concerned for the people who go in the car.

Speeding up to get there.

Invisible, the rest do not pay attention to you because you are driving, isolated.

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ANNEX

Creative Lab Topic 2

Q&A how would you feel ...

‌ if you were a young parent with small children driving a car during the week at ...

7:00 am

2:00 pm

Stressed, thinking about a lot of things and at the same time paying attention to the children Already tired.

Thinking if I had left something at home.

Keeping an eye on the children so they do not fall asleep in the car and they arrive awake.

Concerned about the amount of traďŹƒc at the entrance of the school Stressed to arrive on time at work.

Inexperienced with children Not sure if I have assembled correctly the baby chair.

Wanting to take the children to the school to be calmed.

In a hurry because I am late to take the children and to work.

Hurrying up to pick up the kids from school.

Hungry Asking the children how was the morning in school.

Relaxed, the children eat at the school, it is my moment.

Wanting to get home to eat and relax a little (children at school).

Sleepy and tired due to stress of children and work.

Concerned for the children if they are tired, hungry, or have had any problems at school, etc.

Thinking about if I am going to have enough time for the kids and myself to eat, they eat slowly.

6:00 pm

9:00 pm

Taking children to extracurricular activities.

Thinking the car is a mess.

Tired by the routine and stress.

Tired of all day.

Thinking about What I can do for dinner?

Thinking about work and/or studies?

Worried for the kids to get the car dirty.

Thinking I will play with them even if I want to sleep.

Feeling like a taxi, taking the kids from one place to another.

Not too focused on the road as I am listening to the kids explaining how their day was.

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Hurrying to put the kids to bed.

Trying to ďŹ nd time to relax with my partner.

Planning the next day, more or less.

Watching a movie at home and wishing it was friday.

Wanting to get home, rest and disconnect with your family.

Relaxed, talking while having dinner with all the members of the family.

ANNEX

Creative Lab Topic 2

Q&A how would you feel ...

… if you were a parent with teenagers driving a car during the week at ...

7:00 am

2:00 pm

Sleepy for getting up early to go to the office.

Sure about the route and the arrival time.

Thinking about traffic jams and the parking situation.

Taking the regular route.

Bored for the routine Wishing to find a parking spot near the office door.

Not worried about the amount of work that I will be able to be in the office Thinking about driving the kid to the station.

Feeling awkward because of the silence in the car. Not knowing what to talk about.

Less stressed than in other situations since normally you do not have to take children to school and each one goes at its own pace.

Hungry.

With a hurry.

Thinking about arriving home as soon as possible to see the family.

Wishing to rest on the sofa.

Thinking about if I am going to have time to take a nap before going back to the office.

Think about my lunch as probably everyone would have prepared its own meal.

6:00 pm

9:00 pm

I feel like going out.

I have to go with my partner to the supermarket.

Thinking about picking up the kids from extracurricular activities.

Like eating something before supper.

Thinking about what to eat the next day.

Wishing to go to bed early.

Wishing about finding parking close to home.

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ANNEX

Creative Lab Topic 2

Q&A how would you feel ...

… if you were a young parent with small children driving a car during the week at ...

7:00 am

2:00 pm

I am not in a hurry, I have left home early.

Very few reflections Trying to be calmed, slowing down to not have an accident.

Trying to find a parking place near the supermarket’s entrance.

Taking the grandchildren to school.

Feeling insecure for the amount of traffic.

Feeling insecure, trying to be cautious when driving due to lack of reflexes and ability to react.

Stressed depending on how the traffic situation in the city is.

Nervous in case someone honks at me because I've done something wrong.

Angry because people assume that because I'm older I don’t drive correctly or go too slowly with the car.

Going to leisure places such as civic centers or gyms.

Going to a good restaurant with my partner.

Trying to find parking near the restaurant.

Enjoying the journey by car.

If I am going to have to pick up the grandchildren from school.

6:00 pm

9:00 pm

Wishing to arrive to my son’s place to see my grandchildren.

I don’t pick up the car during this hour because there are too many cars on the road.

Try not to drive at night because of the bad vision and because it is dangerous at night.

Thinking about having a light dinner Being more careful than usual due to lack of visibility.

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ANNEX

Creative Lab Topic 2

Q&A how would you feel ... ‌ going as a passenger ... normally?

in a taxi?

Useful, I guide the driver to reach our destination.

Happy because I can choose the music.

I use the time to sleep.

I usually check my social networks and those of the pilot.

Thinking about everything that goes on in the car so the pilot can be focused on the road.

Interacting with the other passengers.

Talking and gossiping.

Taking control of the temperature device.

Be attentive and look for parking Controlling all the actions that the driver does.

Trying not to distract the driver.

Uncomfortable for the lack of communication with the driver Initially insecure.

I am alert, as if I were the driver myself.

Controlling of the route he follows to reach the destination (longer, shorter, etc).

Analysing the driver's way of driving, and deciding if I like it or not.

Thinking if the car is more / less comfortable, nice, modern, compared to others.

Uncomfortable, especially if I am alone.

Trying to chat and get interested in the life of the driver.

Afraid in case if he is going to kidnap me.

Coping with awkward silence.

It is appreciated when you are in a new city and the driver explains the history and points of interest.

I'm anxious to get to the destination soon, because if I take a taxi it means I'm in a hurry.

Worried about how much is going to cost me.

doing a usual route with someone you trust, for example a family member?

sharing a car with strangers?

Routine.

Total conďŹ dence.

Routine short trips.

Long trips to other countries.

I relax and enjoy.

Very good memories are made in long trips.

Insecure.

Nervous.

Trying to have a conversation to get to know a little the others so the journey feel shorter.

Trying to ďŹ nd some way to ignore them: mobile, books, looking at the landscape or sleeping.

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ANNEX

Creative Lab Topic 2

Q&A how would you feel ... … going as a passenger ... going to the party or returning home?

in an autonomous car?

Cheerful with loud music on.

Wanting to have fun and relax.

Paying little attention to the road.

Interacting with the rest of the passengers.

Lack of concern for safety.

Insecure if the driver is not known or do not know if he or she has drunk.

Tense and trying to pay attention even if you are tired or drunk when going home.

Asking the driver a thousand times if he is ok to drive.

Being aware that the driver does not fall asleep.

Insecure, I don’t know if everything is going to work properly.

Unsure I can not control in any way what it does, it is just a machine (it would be nice to be able to decide which route you want and decide where you want to go).

I feel I can do anything without worrying about the road or the destination.

Possibility of taking control at any time.

Depending on the level of autonomy.

Ignorant of how to act in case I need something.

I wouldn’t feel like I am wasting my time when I'm in a traffic jam van because I can use the time to sleep, study, work, watch movies, etc.

Bored for not being able to drive.

and it starts to rain?

Relaxed Paying more attention to the road.

Nervous.

There is going to be more traffic than usual.

Worried about the poor visibility.

Helping the pilot with the visibility as well as in the indications.

Trying not to get lost, especially if the route is not a regular one.

Looking at the weather forecast to know how it will evolve.

I am attentive to the road and the environment.

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ANNEX

Creative Lab Topic 2

Q&A

What actions can you do while driving involving an interaction with the car?

Speed up.

Park.

Go backwards.

Stop at a traffic light.

Change lanes.

Incorporate yourself in one lane.

Get out of a way.

Brake.

Turn on the turn signal.

Change gears.

Lower the visor.

Play music.

Put the navigation aid on.

Raise and roll down the windows.

Turn on the lights.

Fill up with petrol.

Enter in a roundabout.

Overtake.

Drivin up and down a hill.

Enter a tunnel.

Regulate the seat position.

Look for something in the glove compartment.

Regulate the volume of the music or change the song.

Charge the phone.

What can affect the car or the driver in a city environment?

Lanes Other cars Changes of lane, maneuvers to park, incorporation to the road.

Signs Speed Traffic lights Pedestrians

Cyclists Motorcycles Animals Lights and sun.

Noise Works in the street.

Different types of pavements.

State of the vehicle.

Weather.

What inside elements can affect a car or driver?

Vehicle occupants.

Noise.

Music.

GPS indications.

Mobile phones.

Strange noises from the car or the engine.

Insect that has come into the cabin.

Look for a tissue if you have a cold.

Navigate the menus of the car Search for the sunglasses.

Search for an alternative route in case there is a traffic jam.

Temperature.

Blocked streets that forces a change of the usual route.

Emergency services: police, ambulance ...

People catching the wrong roundabouts.

Taxi drivers.

Buses.

How can the driver of a vehicle negatively affect the driving?

Being reckless Using the mobile phone while driving.

Having slow reactions.

Being drunk or drugged.

Being inexperienced.

Taking unnecessary risks.

Ecological driving, help with fuel consumption.

Carefree driving: not changing to the right lane, not turning on the turn signals or not looking at the mirror

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