User Experience Benchmark: 2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Steering-Wheel Thumbpads Best Suited for Short One-Step Tasks
BOSTON, March 8, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- A recent user evaluation from the In-Vehicle UX (IVX) group at Strategy Analytics "User Experience Benchmark: 2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class" has assessed the 2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class in-vehicle infotainment system. Overall, first-time users praised its sleek and futuristic design; particularly the large display and aesthetic features of the controls. However, although the first-of-their-kind steering wheel thumbpads were aesthetically appealing, first-time users found them very difficult to use in practice. Of the abundant manual controls available to the user, the jogdial was the HMI modality most often used to complete tasks. In reality the sheer number of controls available was overwhelming.
After surveying consumers in the US using the infotainment system of the 2017 E-Class, Strategy Analytics found despite the positive feedback for the aesthetics, the novel HMI modalities it offered were not well received. User issues with learning how the steering wheel thumbpads controlled the display cursor led to numerous errors, long error recovery times, long task times, and perhaps most concerning, long periods where the user stared at the display in order to learn how the control manipulated the display cursor.
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Derek Viita, Senior Analyst and report author commented, "Steering wheel controls are best suited for short one-step tasks (such as volume adjustment) which allow the driver to keep their hands on the wheel, and to minimize or eliminate eye glances toward the console screen. With the difficulty first-time users had in establishing control-display compatibility, these thumbpads eliminate this benefit."
Chris Schreiner, Director, IVX added, "Automakers are wise to explore new and different control and display options to differentiate their experience. However, introducing novel HMI with usability issues, simply for the sake of being new and different, is not a wise or sustainable cockpit strategy."
About Strategy Analytics
Strategy Analytics, Inc. provides the competitive edge with advisory services, consulting and actionable market intelligence for emerging technology, mobile and wireless, digital consumer and automotive electronics companies. With offices in North America, Europe and Asia, Strategy Analytics delivers insights for enterprise success. www.StrategyAnalytics.com.
About In-vehicle UX
The In-vehicle UX group forms part of the User Experience Innovation Practice (UXIP) at Strategy Analytics. Focusing on user behaviors, motivations and interests within in-vehicle, mobile device, connected home and media & services research areas, UXIP helps clients meet consumer needs, develop usable solutions and deliver compelling user experiences. Extensive expertise and highly experienced in large-scale survey work, in-depth interviews, focus groups and observational sessions, UXIP's research methodology allows strategic user-centric analysis on the potential for new technologies that would otherwise be unavailable. Providing actionable insight, go-to-market strategies and business recommendations, UXIP is a leading supplier of consumer knowledge to the technology industry. Click here for more information.
Press Contacts
US Contact: Derek Viita, +1 617 614 0772, dviita@strategyanalytics.com
European Contact: Diane O'Neill, +44 (0)1908 423 669, doneill@strategyanalytics.com
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