Ready, set, regenerate! : A design study about affecting driver behaviours through gamification elements.

Sammanfattning: The automotive industry plays a significant role in global CO2 emissions. A transition towards electric vehicles is part of the solution to lower CO2 emissions. While electric vehicles are beneficial from an environmental standpoint, it generates new challenges and technology for the driver to adapt to, emphasising the importance of human interaction. A possible solution to affect drivers to adopt new behaviours is using Gamification inIn-vehicle Information Systems. This study implies that drivers do not fully see the potential of regenerative braking to extend the vehicle's range while contributing to safer and more predictable driving. Thus, this thesis explores the implementation of gamification in a vehicle context by using a prototype in a vehicle simulator environment to observe whether it affects driver behaviours to increase regenerative braking usage. This study uses a design study method with a qualitative research approach resulting in a high-fidelity prototype developed through an iterative design process. The prototype mechanics originates from the M-PM-O framework, found through an in-depth literature study. The mechanics are designed into gamification elements using established design principles for In-vehicleInformation Systems. Further, the prototype was evaluated using Volvo Cars vehicle simulators. The results demonstrated that gamification in a vehicle context is possible and that the prototype affected driver behaviours to increase regenerative braking usage. Through the analysis and discussion, four design guidelines emerged for the design of gamification elements in IVIS. However, the study also raises questions regarding the general feasibility of incorporation. Overall, this study opens for further studies regarding gamification's safety and long-term effects in a vehicle context.