Name: Nupur Aggarwal

Guide: Prof. Dr. -Ing Ralph Bruder

Course: Interaction

Credits: TU Darmstadt, Germany, DAAD Scholarship

Conceptualization of an automotive interface for self controlled privacy in a connected car

Modern day connected cars are equipped with infotainment and telematics systems that can collect substantial amounts of sensitive data and various smartphone applications as well as manufacturers and service providers. They have access to a huge pool of data that can be transmitted from a car that contains private information. Following a human-centered design approach to formulate a concept for an interface for self-controlled privacy in a connected car, based on the user’s view on privacy and data sharing. It allows the user to select between predefined privacy settings or customize settings based on privacy recommendations.

There is a need for a concept that can let the user control their privacy and also review what is being shared. A car interface can help users determine their privacy, by getting all the required information about the apps and services using their data. The task is to develop a privacy HMI in the car, for the use cases : before driving/parking position, during driving and remotely controlled(smartphone). The demands of driving situation have to be considered.

The project presents a great opportunity to look at privacy of a connected car, as it is going to be of an issue as more and more sensors surround the car. The methodology used can be improved by using more testing and continuous iteration, as described in the Human-centred process, until the product reaches all the requirements. Current testing revealed a lot of hints for improving the design and making it robust, like making it a guided step wise process. More user testing is required for confirming with the requirements which are not tested for yet.