In-vehicle communication systems:: the safety aspect

Communication and information technology are developing very rapidly at present. At the same time, the number of older drivers is increasing. When designing systems for elderly drivers, it has been shown that: (1) simplifying a task reduces performance differences between old and young; and (2) the optimization of onboard systems (better legibility and intelligibility of the information, simplified dialogue) in relation to the abilities of elderly drivers benefits the rest of the user population. Elderly people do not automatically reject new information and assistance technologies especially when the systems are user friendly. However, the ergonomics of these new technologies must be studied, with particular attention to the specific needs of the elderly, in order not to marginalize them.