CAR 2.0 : interaction between cars and their drivers in twenty years time

Today, the word automobile means much more than what used to mean some years ago. Nowadays, cars have more values than just offering the possibility of travelling from the point X until the point Y. Automobiles have an added value of safety, comfort, aesthetics and, why not, socialization. Cars are highly technologically complex. Despite the built-in driver information systems permits the drivers get as much information as they want, the drivers have to select the most suitable information in every case and be aware of the road while driving in order to avoid car accidents. As a matter of a fact, the research in the automotive field is based on looking for a system that allows the drivers enjoy the driving experience coping with the road, the car and the in-vehicle systems without attempting the safety while driving the car. Taking advantage of the car’s space and possibilities means to use every tool needed to be conspicuous enough to be noticed and discrete enough not to distract the driver. In twenty years time, car manufacturers may use all the technology available to get what they have ever dreamed about: A car that thinks by it, a car able to communicate with other cars and, of course, a car capable to understand the driver’s requests in every different situation. This Master thesis studies the possibility of building intelligent and adaptable cars able to change their driving mode automatically and, of course, change the displays shown on the dashboard to make the driving task easier depending on every moment, place and user. In other words, a new and personalized design of a car dashboard will be applied depending on every persona, every moment and every scenario or possible road.Validerat; 20101217 (root