User needs:

The goal was to ensure that the AR HUD provided timely, context-aware information without compromising safety or driver attention. Research was needed to identify: 1) What types of information drivers value most in real-time 2) How much visual information is too much 3) Ideal placement, color, and motion of AR elements to avoid distraction

Solution :

As a Research Assistant, I collaborated with my professor to design and conduct usability tests with drivers in a simulator and controlled on-road environments. The study involved: 1) A/B testing multiple HUD layouts (minimal vs. information-rich) 2) Eye-tracking to monitor driver attention 3) Time-to-response tasks to measure cognitive load 4) Post-drive interviews to gather subjective feedback. We focused on key interactions such as navigation overlays, lane departure warnings, and collision alerts.

Impact:

The findings informed Honda’s AR HUD development by: 1) Recommending simplified designs that surface only critical information at key moments 2) Defining visual hierarchy for AR elements 3) Reducing cognitive load by limiting persistent overlays 4) Influencing design decisions that improved driver reaction time and satisfaction. This research contributed to the human-centered evolution of in-vehicle AR interfaces, promoting safer and more intuitive driving experiences.