Being in the Zone: Investigating the Effectiveness of In-Vehicle Multi-Sensory Affective Displays

Previous research highlights the benefits of affective interfaces in improving drivers' emotional state and performance. This poster investigates the impact of a multisensory affective display, encompassing visual, auditory, and olfactory stimuli. A preliminary evaluation with eight participants in easy driving conditions informed scent intensity and placement adjustments. In a subsequent study under more challenging driving scenarios, the majority of participants (14 out of 20) reported minimal awareness of the system, while self-reported less skilled drivers perceived the system, experienced distractions and cognitive overload. Our findings suggest that the effects of multisensory affective displays on drivers vary and are influenced by driving difficulty, driver skill, and mental state, such as the state of flow. Future research is encouraged to explore novel interface designs that consider drivers' skills and cognitive states to adapt accordingly.