Frequency of Use of Automotive Stereo Controls

The primary determinants of control location are human physiological limitations, spatial relationship to the functions controlled, functional groupings, sequential arrangements, and priority of usage/frequency of use. The first four of these are relatively easy to determine, whether through anthropometrics or task/function analyses, but the final consideration is often less straightforward. The relative frequency of use of a set of controls that are primarily driven not by need, but by user preference are often almost impossible to determine before a product is actually put into use. This paper describes a study designed to evaluate the relative frequency of use of the controls available on automotive stereo products. The study focused on experienced users over an extended period of time and a relatively wide age range. Results indicated that control usage fell into several broad groups, with volume control being the most commonly used function.