DaimlerChrysler Human Factors Evaluation Finds Planar Systems Electroluminescent Display Provides ``Superior Visual Performance''
5 December 2000
DaimlerChrysler Human Factors Evaluation Finds Planar Systems Electroluminescent Display Provides ``Superior Visual Performance''
PORTLAND, Ore.--Dec. 5, 2000--Human factors engineers from DaimlerChrysler Research & Technology North America presented yesterday the results of their study of the Planar Systems electroluminescent (EL) display that is incorporated into the Freightliner LLC Truck Productivity Computer(TM).
The study found that even when using smaller font sizes, the "superior visual performance characteristics of the EL display contributed to the ease of readability." The Planar display also received high marks from the truck driver subjects in the study. The DaimlerChrysler engineers presented the results of this study at a technical session today at the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) International Truck and Bus Meeting & Exposition.
The human factors evaluation was undertaken by DaimlerChrysler at the request of Freightliner LLC in order to identify the optimal driver-friendly interface for its Truck Productivity Computer. The goal of the study was to evaluate whether the superior brightness, contrast, and environmental characteristics of the EL display would allow smaller fonts -- and therefore more information per screen -- while providing accurate and safe operation.
"The on-board information, communications, and entertainment systems being incorporated into today's long-haul trucks consolidate many features and functions into a single device," said Erick Petersen, director of marketing and business development for Planar's Transportation Business Unit. "We work closely with our commercial transportation customers in the design of these systems, so we know it's vital that the interface be easy and safe for the operator to read and operate while on the road. This study validated what our large commercial trucking customers have learned: Planar's custom EL displays are the best choice for technical, safety, economic, and long-term reliability reasons."
Safety as Design Challenge
The study was designed to answer one of the main challenges of the Truck Productivity Computer design, which was to safely present meaningful information to the driver in the limited display space of the standard DIN1 radio slot of a truck dashboard (2.3 cm x 9.28 cm). The high contrast of the EL display demonstrated increased legibility of smaller font sizes, which allowed more information to be displayed on a single screen. When tested by professional truck drivers in real-life environments, participants rated the EL display very highly, with eight of ten participants stating that they preferred the Planar EL display to other displays. Statements included: "brightness is very good," "very easy to read," and "good even during bright day."
"Glance time" is an intuitive indicator of safe use of the display while driving. Human factors design principals state that glance time greater than two seconds is not recommended. The Planar display demonstrated an average glance time of 1.41 seconds.
In the report's conclusion, the authors stated: "It is felt that the superior visual performance characteristics of the EL display contributed to the ease of readability. The EL display offers excellent contrast and negligible background luminance, which has been found to result in faster recognition and response time. In addition, the display is not susceptible to washout from sunlight. Certainly, the EL display received high subjective marks from the drivers during the debriefing sessions."
Planar EL Technology Provides Superior Brightness and Contrast
Planar's EL flat panel display technology sets the standards for the industry. Proprietary manufacturing processes and patents including ICEBrite(TM) offer groundbreaking technology with higher brightness, greater contrast, and superior readability across a wide range of lighting conditions. Planar EL displays are being designed into OEM and aftermarket trucking systems, as well as a wide array of other commercial transportation applications.
About Planar Systems, Inc.
Planar Systems is a worldwide leader in the development and marketing of high performance information display systems currently supplied to more than 1,000 customers. The company is at the leading edge in providing customers in the medical, transportation and industrial markets with value-added products that allow digital and video information to be viewed in a wide range of applications. Planar's displays are available in a broad spectrum of technologies and are integrated as prominent and visible components into customers' products serving the needs of a mobile and interconnected world. The company has manufacturing and sales operations in the United States and Europe. Visit our web site at www.planar.com.
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