A method of notification delivery that *visually* alerts the driver when an email has arrived.

Design

This interactive dashboard notifies the driver of new emails both visually and with sound. When an email arrives, a notification pops up on the dashboard and a "ding" sound is followed by the car saying, "You have received an email from: [sender]." This alert system allows the driver to decide whether to address the email based on the sender's information.

For hands-free access, a button on the steering wheel activates voice commands. The driver can instruct the car to read the email subject, sender, or entire email aloud. If no specific command is given, the car will automatically read the email details. Additionally, voice commands can be used to access email attachments, but this feature is only available when the car is stopped or if a passenger is present.

Design Considerations

Top-Down Processing: We use familiar icons, such as an email symbol, to leverage users' existing knowledge and context. This helps users quickly recognize notifications and the voice activation button's function. Familiarity with voice activation features and screen notifications in cars further supports this top-down processing.

Bottom-Up Processing: The notification sound ("ding") and a high-contrast visual alert (white with a red border) on the dashboard draw the driver’s attention to new emails. These sensory cues engage the driver’s bottom-up processing, enabling quick recognition and response to incoming information with minimal distraction from driving.

Parallel Search

Our visual notification employs parallel search by presenting a single, prominent email alert on the dashboard. This logical organization allows the driver to quickly spot the notification without sifting through other stimuli, enhancing efficiency and minimizing distraction. This design optimizes cognitive processing by enabling immediate recognition of important information, crucial for maintaining focus while driving.

Safety

To promote safety, our design includes a steering wheel button that activates voice reading of emails, allowing drivers to listen without diverting their attention from the road. This feature prevents the dangerous urge to read emails while driving. Additionally, email-related images can only be accessed when the car is parked, ensuring that drivers cannot view them while driving, similar to how FaceTime Audio works on CarPlay.