In-car communication systems (ICCS) are becoming more frequently used by drivers. ICCS are used in order to minimise the driving distraction due to using a mobile phone while driving. Several usability studies of ICCS utilising speech user interfaces (SUIs) have identified usability issues that can affect the workload, performance, satisfaction and user experience of the driver. This is due to current speech technologies which can be a source of errors that may frustrate the driver and negatively affect the user experience. The aim of this research was to design a new multimodal interface that will manage the interaction between an ICCS and the driver. Unlike the current ICCS, it should make more voice input available, so as to support tasks (e.g. sending text messages; browsing the phone book, etc), which still require a cognitive workload from the driver. An adaptive multimodal interface was proposed in order to address current ICCS issues. The multimodal interface used both speech and manual input; however only the speech channel is used as output. This was done in order to minimise the visual distraction that graphical user interfaces or haptics devices can cause with current ICCS. The adaptive interface was designed to minimise the cognitive distraction of the driver. The adaptive interface ensures that whenever the distraction level of the driver is high, any information communication is postponed. After the design and the implementation of the first version of the prototype interface, called MIMI, a usability evaluation was conducted in order to identify any possible usability issues. Although voice dialling was found to be problematic, the results were encouraging in terms of performance, workload and user satisfaction. The suggestions received from the participants to improve the system usability were incorporated in the next implementation of MIMI. The adaptive module was then implemented to reduce driver distraction based on the driver‟s current context. The proposed architecture showed encouraging results in terms of usability and safety. The adaptive behaviour of MIMI significantly contributed to the reduction of cognitive distraction, because drivers received less information during difficult driving situations.

published_or_final_version / Electrical and Electronic Engineering / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

prepared by Ling Hok Sun, Lawrence. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1998. / Abstract also in Chinese. / Chapter 1. --- Abstract --- p.2 / Chapter 2. --- Introduction --- p.3 / Chapter 3. --- Circuit Description --- p.8 / Chapter 4. --- Technology' --- p.10 / Chapter 5. --- Design --- p.13 / Chapter 5.1 --- TOP LEVEL --- p.13 / Chapter 5.2 --- Logic --- p.14 / Chapter 5.3 --- Tuner --- p.19 / Chapter 5.4 --- Gate Drive and Power Switch --- p.26 / Chapter 5.5 --- Full-Circuit Simulation --- p.43 / Chapter 6. --- Layout --- p.53 / Chapter 7. --- Characterization --- p.55 / Chapter 8. --- Conclusion --- p.65 / Chapter 9. --- Reference --- p.66 / Chapter 10. --- Appendix --- p.67

Due to potential environmental, resource and health problems associated with waste, waste minimisation is a prioritised waste management strategy in many countries. Producer responsibility policies promote waste minimisation by stipulating separate collection and recycling of particular waste streams. In addition, a purpose of the policy is to encourage product development that reduces waste generation and improves recyclability. It is sometimes assumed that the financial responsibility assigned to producers for collection and recycling of their end-of-life products will instigate waste minimising product development in order to reduce costs. However, this view has also been contested. Following the adoption of the WEEE Directive (2002/96/EC) all EU member states have to implement producer responsibility for WEEE. Taking a qualitative multiple case study approach, this study explores company responses to the costs of existing national producer responsibility policies for WEEE in relation product development. The purpose is to inform policy-making on the effectiveness of producer responsibility charges in achieving waste minimising product development. The study comprises both large companies and SMEs in the lighting equipments sector. It also includes companies in EU member states without producer responsibility for WEEE in order to see if there are any differences in waste-minimising product design among countries and if national policies have an impact beyond national borders. Economic principles and previous research findings on ecodesign make up the analytical framework for the study. Quantitative data on cost-benefits of ecodesign and waste minimisation achievements were scarce. However, the company responses show that the costs imposed on the producers by the WEEE policy have had little effect on product development so far. The costs can generally be transferred to customers via product prices. The price increases were generally small and without any negative effects on competitiveness. Other drivers such as bans on certain substances, environmental industry product declarations, commercial advantages including direct customer demands from for instance public procurers, are more effective.

Thesis (Ph.D)--Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2008. / Committee Chair: Garimella, Srinivas; Committee Member: Allen, Mark; Committee Member: Fuller, Tom; Committee Member: Jeter, Sheldon; Committee Member: Wepfer, William. Part of the SMARTech Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Collection.

Not available / text

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2007. / The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Title from title screen of research.pdf file (viewed on March 28, 2008) Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2007. / Committee Chair: Hesketh, Peter J.; Committee Member: Allen, Mark G.; Committee Member: Degertekin, F. Levent; Committee Member: Frazier, Bruno A.; Committee Member: Graham, Samuel.

Thesis (M.Eng. (Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering)) -- Universiteit van Pretoria, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (doctoral)--Technische Universiteit Delft, 1997. / Includes bibliographical references (p. [159]-163).