CHALLENGE
Explore ways Eastman Chemical Company can use their new SWITCH technology in automotives.
SOLUTION
Eastman Chemical Company created new technology allowing for instant anti-glare and unlimited sizing to any type of notification needed. This tech is perfect for car side view mirrors.
HOW I HELPED
Design Researcher
Sketch Artist
Concept Development
Prototyping
Rendering
New car side view mirror
PROCESS
Can we create a new automotive mirror?
SWITCH technology is a special dye placed between a pane of glass and a one way mirror. This dye auto dims when light is shined on it allowing for an instant anti-glare mirror. The technology’s one way mirror allows for icons to shine through with no pre-made cut out in the mirror needed. It gives unlimited sizing to any type of notification needed on the side view mirror or automobiles.
But what notifications do drivers find important?
SWITCH technology is placed in between multiple panels of the mirror.
Testing icons on a car mirror
Testing icons on a car mirror
Testing icons on a car mirror
During a participatory research interview, 8 drivers tested different notification sizes, colors and types on a side view mirror.
Users were better able to identify the purpose of a notification relative to its purpose to the driver. For instance, the symbols shown on the mirror pertain to the outside environment. Therefore, symbols that look like road signs worked very well in communicating ideas.
Notifications need to be placed on relevant locations on the car. For example, every participant wanted deer
or pedestrian notifications but expressed that they wanted these notifications on the dashboard since the incident is happening in the front of the car, not the side.
or pedestrian notifications but expressed that they wanted these notifications on the dashboard since the incident is happening in the front of the car, not the side.
Icons for notifications could be classified to different locations of the car.
Icons in users preferred location
A new mirror design showing notifications
Drivers preferred to see their own notifications but some drivers wanted to see notifications on other people’s vehicles to ensure they were seen on the road. A new mirror design with a specific notification screen angled towards the driver accommodates all users.
Using Eastman technology, notifications to other drivers can be shown on the edge of the mirror without costing the driver that valuable mirror space.
Color can also convey information.
For example, if there is a cyclist to the side of the car, the cyclist symbol could change from red to yellow to green depending on how close the driver is to the cyclist and if they have a safe amount of distance between the two.
Similarly, blind spot warnings could start dim and progressively get brighter as a vehicle approaches from behind.
Side mirror notifications
Varying ways to show notification dangers
Projector on mirror
Project turn signal on ground for pedestrian safety
Eastman technology also includes the use of concealing covers to hide cameras and projectors.
The side view mirror could hide a projector used to show a turn signal on the ground for other drivers and pedestrians to see. It reaches beyond the car and allows drivers to see the turn beacon. It also provides safety to pedestrians or cyclists in a car’s turning radius on a busy street corner, not just on a highway.
