Influence on information cognition by separation of visual and auditory information positions: A case of information presentation for a driver in a vehicle cockpit

This research focused on separation of positions between auditory and visual information. In recent, there are many examples in our environment, including vehicle cockpit as well, that auditory and visual information are presented from different directions. It makes weaker their natural connection and may cause negative effects on information cognition. To investigate the effects of the separation, we chose a case of in-vehicle information presentation. In previous report, the effects were investigated through a series of experiments using driving simulation system. As the results, the drivers could find visual display accurately and quickly with stable driving for the condition of auditory sign presented from the same direction with the visual sources, and also showed less mental workload. In this report, we conducted additional analysis on the effects of the drivers' field of vision. The negative effects on information cognition by the separation were shown especially outside of field of vision. Additionally, some visual information were overlooked even if they were displayed inside of the field of vision. The separation could disturb the drivers' information cognition regardless of the field of vision. The disturbance was diminished when the auditory and visual sources were aligned to same direction.