Electrical and spring returning stalks for truck applications: user evaluation and concept development of steering wheel stalks

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This master's thesis describes an evaluation of truck drivers' attitudes towards electrical and spring returning steering wheel stalks, and the following development of design concepts for electrical and spring returning steering wheel stalks in future Volvo Trucks. Electrical and spring returning steering wheel stalks are today used in cars for the interaction with steering wheel stalk functions such as direction indicator, windscreen wiper and cruise control. An introduction of electrical and spring returning stalks in Volvo Trucks would bring advantages of adaptability and facilitate the stalk placement, but it would also mean a loss of feedback and require a change in the truck driver's interaction with the steering wheel stalks. An evaluation was performed with truck drivers driving cars equipped with electrical and spring returning steering wheel stalks. The evaluation focused on the direction indicator, windscreen wiper and auxiliary brake and included driving a test route while performing user tasks and answering a verbal questionnaire. The purpose of the evaluation was to explore the truck drivers' acceptance of using spring returning stalks, how the stalks are experienced in ordinary driving situations and investigate possible interaction difficulties and importance of different feedback. The results of the evaluation indicate that the truck drivers are positive of having spring returning in their truck. The auxiliary brake stalk should be further evaluated since the cars were not equipped with spring returning stalks for this function and could only be evaluated in a theoretical way. Furthermore, the evaluation results show that the feeling of resistance in the stalks is very important for an efficient stalk interaction and that quick activation and cancellation of modes should be possible. Based on the results from the evaluation, a requirement specification was compiled and a number of sub problems were identified for the following concept development. Concepts for spring returning stalks for the direction indicator, windscreen wiper and auxiliary brake were generated, evaluated and further developed. The final concepts for instance include directions of moving the stalks, sequences of modes, control of rain sensor and interval functionality...