@article{ref1,
title="Improving car passengers' comfort and experience by supporting the use of handheld devices",
journal="Work",
year="2014",
author="van Veen, S. A. T. and Hiemstra-van Mastrigt, S. and Kamp, I. and Vink, P.",
volume="49",
number="2",
pages="215-223",
abstract="BACKGROUND: There is a demand for interiors to support other activities in a car than controlling the vehicle. Currently, this is the case for the car passengers and--in the future--autonomous driving cars will also facilitate drivers to perform other activities. One of these activities is working with handheld devices. <br><br>OBJECTIVE: Previous research shows that people experience problems when using handheld devices in a moving vehicle and the use of handheld devices generally causes unwanted neck flexion [Young et al. 2012; Sin and Zu 2011; Gold et al.2011]. In this study, armrests are designed to support the arms when using handheld devices in a driving car in order to decrease neck flexion. <br><br>METHODS: Neck flexion was measured by attaching markers on the C7 and tragus. Discomfort was indicated on a body map on a scale 1-10. User experience was evaluated in a semi-structured interview. <br><br>RESULTS: Neck flexion is significantly decreased by the support of the armrests and approaches a neutral position. Furthermore, overall comfort and comfort in the neck region specifically are significantly increased. Subjects appreciate the body posture facilitated by the armrests and 9 out of 10 prefer using handheld devices with the armrests compared to using handheld devices without the armrests. CONLUSION: More efforts are needed to develop the mock-up into an established product, but the angles and dimensions presented in this study could serve as guidelines.<p /><p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1051-9815",
doi="10.3233/WOR-131716",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.3233/WOR-131716"
}