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Scania is planning to increase its research into human-machine interfaces (HMI) – how easily and safely a driver can use all the instruments in the truck cab.

Research into HMI issues has been a feature of passenger car development for some time, but now truckmakers are starting to take it more seriously too.

After discussions at the EAEC 2007 Automotive Congress in Budapest, Scania is to supply researchers at the Lulea University of Technology (LTU) in Sweden with a truck cabin to work on.

Professor Jan Lundberg of Lulea University said: “We’re still at the planning phase, but we expect the Scania project to concern HMI in the driver’s cabin and haptic instrument design.”

Lundberg heads the LTU Designlab, which specialises in human factors research. The centre is three years into research with Volvo Cars on HMI issues. Its acoustics laboratory previously collaborated with Scania on engine NVH.

The HMI project with Volvo worked on how to balance good aesthetics with ergonomics that allow the driver to keep his eyes on the road. The next step will involve eye-tracking in a full-scale simulator. The tests will include haptic buttons that vibrate to help the driver identify functions.

Lundberg said: “You don’t need to look at the dial if you want the CD rather than the radio: you turn it and know which is which depending on the different vibrations. Keeping the driver’s eyes on the road is an important part of active safety.”