Experimental Usage Data of Car Audio System Control

Abstract

Many electronic products meant for the general public are now microprocessor-controlled. Thus, human-computer interaction in consumer products is now a daily reality. Yet human-factors research in this area is seldom undertaken, though it is not superfluous. This paper describes the collection of objective and subjective usage data on such an electronic device, a car radio-cassette player. It was found that quite a few functions and features of this product remain hidden from the user who would, however, benefit from their use. The cause of such concealment to the user is the complexity of both product and controls. A manual, with instructions for use, does not solve the problem.