The ICE Model: Evaluating In-Cockpit Child-Centric Interaction Solutions 2023-01-7085

Effective smart cockpit interaction design can address the specific needs of children, offering ample entertainment and educational resources to enhance their on-board experience. Currently, substantial attention is focused on smart cockpit design to enrich the overall travel engagement for children. Recognizing the contrasts between children and adults in areas such as physical health, cognitive development, and emotional psychology, it becomes imperative to meticulously customize the design and optimization processes to cater explicitly to their individual requirements. However, a noticeable gap persists in both research methodologies and product offerings within this domain. This study employs user survey to delve into children’s on-board experiences and utilization of current child-centric in-cockpit interaction solutions (C-SI Solutions), that over 50% of the interviewees (children) got on-board at least several times per week and over half of the parents would pay for C-SI Solutions, but less than 8% of the interviewees reported actual usage. By employing an interdisciplinary approach that harmonizes Design Thinking and Developmental Psychology, this research reveals that the traditional cockpit is actually a liminal space for children, and introduces the ICE Model (Evaluation Model for In-Cockpit Child-Centric Interaction Solutions) for providing insights into C-SI solution design. This model is consisted of two modules: IPO-Based Structured Module and I&C (Intelligence & Consciousness) Evaluation Module. IPO-Based Structured Module is based on the IPO (Input-Process-Output) Model and for interpreting C-SI Solution’s structure, so that to realize the paradigm shift in Design Thinking. I&C Evaluation Module, the second one, is for analyzing C-SI Solution’s psychological developmental function. The ICE model is then applied to conduct market research, aiming to identify challenges and shortcomings with current C-SI Solutions. Subsequently, this research offers recommendations and possibilities for the improvement of designing C-SI Solutions, that it requires not only seamless cooperation between designers and engineers, but also interdisciplinary collaboration.