Final Master Project (2025-2026)
Using interior lighting design to enhance the driver’s perception of key information around the vehicle
Introduction
This study focuses on a core design question: against the backdrop of the transition from Level 3 to Level 5 autonomous driving technology, how can in-vehicle lighting design be utilised to effectively enhance the driver’s perception of key information in the vehicle’s surroundings—particularly pedestrians—without increasing their cognitive load? The research background highlights that both blind spots in manual driving and the distraction resulting from reduced tasks in autonomous driving point to the same design challenge—namely, the driver’s insufficient efficiency in perceiving information about the surrounding environment. To this end, this study has designed an in-vehicle lighting information interaction system based on the mechanism of peripheral vision. Its specific components encompass three levels: firstly, utilising the spatial layout of LED ambient light strips to establish a one-to-one correspondence between light positions and pedestrian directions (left, right, front), thereby constructing an intuitive spatial mapping; secondly, introducing colour-based semantic coding, with blue used for informational prompts and red for high-risk warning scenarios; thirdly, employing smooth, directional dynamic light flows (rather than high-frequency flickering) to indicate pedestrian movement trends, thereby reducing visual discomfort. Through two rounds of video-simulated user testing, the study validated the effectiveness of this lighting scheme. The core contribution of this design lies in the fact that, for the first time, it systematically expands the role of in-vehicle lighting from mere decoration and illumination to serve as an interactive information medium characterised by low cognitive load and high perceptual efficiency, whilst establishing a design paradigm encompassing colour, position and dynamic patterns. Furthermore, the study utilised empirical data to reveal the spatial asymmetry of peripheral vision (with the front being perceived better than the right, which in turn is perceived better than the left) and the differences in colour suitability across scenarios with varying response speeds, thereby providing quantifiable theoretical foundations and practical guidance for human–computer interaction design in smart cockpits.
Video of design
One of the videos in the test
Pictures of design
Paper download
Five-Dimensional Reflection
Business and Entrepreneurship
In the background section, the study discusses the policy context and market demand within China’s intelligent transport market, noting that ‘products featuring new technologies capable of enhancing the user experience for the vast majority of people are highly sought after in the Chinese market’, thereby demonstrating a fundamental understanding of commercial value. The lighting interaction design paradigm proposed by the study has the potential for wider application and can be extended to a broader range of intelligent cockpit interaction scenarios. However, the study does not address commercial issues such as cost-effectiveness or pathways to commercialisation. Furthermore, the user testing did not include any questions regarding willingness to pay.
Creativity and Aesthetics
The study systematically explored the aesthetic coding rules governing colour semantics (red/blue), dynamic patterns (flow, gradients, flickering) and spatial positioning. A set of viable dynamic colour design schemes was presented in the study. The smooth, directional dynamic lighting proposed in the study was well received by users, demonstrating a fusion of functionality and aesthetic experience. However, the study did not explore in depth the differences in aesthetic perception between different dynamic patterns.
Math, Data and Computing
The study utilised the G*Power software for sample size estimation and employed t-tests for statistical analysis, demonstrating a sound grasp of quantitative research methods. Reaction time data were collected using PsychOPy, followed by systematic data cleaning and statistical analysis. The study also utilised code to generate charts (bar charts and line graphs) to visualise the data, effectively supporting the arguments underpinning the study’s conclusions.
Technology and Realization
The study systematically examined the potential applications of LED dynamic control technology in vehicle interior lighting. A prototype for dynamic lighting based on proximity sensors was designed in the Preparation FMP; therefore, this aspect is not covered again here. However, as the testing involved video simulations rather than an actual in-vehicle prototype, the conclusions have not been validated in a real-world vehicle environment. Furthermore, the study did not address the integration of the lighting system with other vehicle technical systems (such as sensor fusion and in-vehicle networks).
User and Society
This study adopts a user-centred (driver-centred) approach, focusing on practical issues relating to driver perceptual efficiency and cognitive load in autonomous driving scenarios. The research question specifically addresses ‘how to effectively enhance drivers’ perception of key information in the vehicle’s surroundings through the design of in-vehicle lighting’, reflecting a user-centred design approach. The study utilised video-simulated driving scenarios for user testing and collected user feedback via a User Experience Questionnaire (UEQ) and interviews, thereby taking users’ subjective experiences into account. Furthermore, the study examined the impact of cross-cultural differences on the perception of colour semantics, demonstrating consideration of socio-cultural dimensions.
Copyright © 2026 Liu Xinyue Portfolio – All rights reserved.