Dynamic Head-Up Display Design: Cognitive Load as a Parametric Driver

Head-up displays (HUDs) are increasingly used in vehicles to present essential information within the driver's field of view, aiming to reduce distraction and cognitive load.However, concerns remain that adaptive, dynamic HUDs may unintentionally increase cognitive workload if changes are unpredictable or visually intrusive.This exploratory study investigates how subtle, context-aware HUD adaptations affect perceived workload during simulated driving.Six licensed drivers navigated urban, rural, and highway environments using one of three HUD types; static, mildly adaptive, or highly adaptive, in a Wizard-of-Oz setup.Subjective workload was assessed using weighted NASA-TLX scores and semi-structured interviews.While statistical analyses showed no significant differences across conditions, descriptive results suggested that predictable, minimal adaptations may reduce perceived effort and frustration.Participants emphasized the importance of clarity, consistency, and user control.Despite limitations in sample size and HUD placement, findings offer preliminary support for restrained, context-sensitive HUD design and point to the need for further user-centered research.