Exploring Challenges in Developing a Smart and Effective Assistive System for Improving the Experience of the Elderly Drivers

As the overall population ages, driving-related accidents and injuries, associated with elderly drivers, have risen. Existing research about elderly drivers mainly focuses on factual data collection and analysis, indicating the elderly＇s growing fatal accident rates and their different behaviours compared to younger drivers. However, few research has focused on design-led practical solutions to mitigate the elderly＇s growing fatal accidents, by consid- ering their usability and body conditions, afflicting the elderly, such as decreased vision, hearing, and reaction times. In this paper, first, current worldwide situations on growing fatal accident rates for elderly drivers is reviewed and the key impact factors are identified and discussed with regarding to usability and design trend in the automotive technology for elderly. Second, existing smart vehicle technology-based solutions to promote safe driving are explored and their pros and cons are discussed and anal- ysed. Most of solutions are not created by people with driving difficulties, which are caused by health problems most commonly afflicting the elderly. Thirdly, diverse design-led research activities are taken, such as a survey, observation, and interviews to gain new understanding of what kinds of driving problems elderly drivers have and demonstrate how new system concepts could be developed for the elderly＇s benefits. Finally, it is found that the elderly＇s low vision and late reaction are main factors causing their driving difficulties. Based on this finding, usable vehicle system design ideas have been proposed, by utilising facial expression sensing technology as a solution. The proposed solutions would ensure reducing both the elderly＇s driving problems and high fatal accident rates and provide a more enjoyable driving environment for the elderly population.

Neuropsychological Aspects of Aging and Driving for Inclusive Automotive Interior Design

As people grow older, their cognitive functions undergo changes which may result in uncomfortable driving situations and even increase the risk of accidents. This research aims to understand the neuropsychological aspects of healthy aging and their possible relationship in changes in motor performance or ability. The research methodology is descriptive and includes a collection of basic studies in the scope of neuroscience, driving tasks, and older driver behavior. The final analysis points to certain changes in the functioning of the cerebral cortex and its connections as being responsible for poor performance in some basic driving tasks, but which can be compensated for by means of adapted mechanisms in motor vehicles. This study may contribute as a methodological tool, to the automobile design process, for the selection of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) or other emerging technologies which can compensate cognitive changes, improve safety, comfort and inclusion of older drivers in the future of automobile interior design. We conclude that in normal aging, people may present some cognitive deficits especially linked to the frontal and parietal lobe, which interfere with the necessary driving skills albeit not with the dangerous ones and can be compensated by technological solutions. The main innovation of this article is related to the bibliographical compilation and critical analysis in terms of identifying the neuropsychological aspects of normal human aging and car driving and its relationship with possible contributions from vehicular technology, as well its consider future trends in automotive interior design that should be analysed with caution in order to users inclusion.