Title

Google Glass: A Driver Distraction Cause Or Cure?

Keywords

attention; mobile; SMS; texting; wearable

Abstract

Objective: We assess the driving distraction potential of texting with Google Glass (Glass), a mobile wearable platform capable of receiving and sending short-message-service and other messaging formats. Background: A known roadway danger, texting while driving has been targeted by legislation and widely banned. Supporters of Glass claim the head-mounted wearable computer is designed to deliver information without concurrent distraction. Existing literature supports the supposition that design decisions incorporated in Glass might facilitate messaging for drivers. Method: We asked drivers in a simulator to drive and use either Glass or a smartphone-based messaging interface, then interrupted them with an emergency brake event. Both the response event and subsequent recovery were analyzed. Results: Glass-delivered messages served to moderate but did not eliminate distracting cognitive demands. A potential passive cost to drivers merely wearing Glass was also observed. Messaging using either device impaired driving as compared to driving without multitasking. Conclusion: Glass in not a panacea as some supporters claim, but it does point the way to design interventions that effect reduced load in multitasking. Application: Discussions of these identified benefits are framed within the potential of new in-vehicle systems that bring both novel forms of distraction and tools for mitigation into the driver's seat.

Publication Date

11-19-2014

Publication Title

Human Factors

Volume

56

Issue

7

Number of Pages

1307-1321

Document Type

Article

Personal Identifier

scopus

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.1177/0018720814555723

Socpus ID

84921023024 (Scopus)

Source API URL

https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/84921023024

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