Tactile alert placement in driving contexts based on neurocognitive evidence and eight consensus based design guidelines

Abstract Tactile alerts can communicate spatial and temporal information in automo-tive human–machine interfaces while reducing reliance on visual and auditory channels. Evidence on appropriate body locations for such alerts remains dis-tributed across automotive human-machine interface (HMI), haptic-interface, and somatosensory research. This study examines how body location may influ-ence the perception and processing of tactile alerts in driving contexts. It adopts a sequential evidence-to-consensus design comprising a scoping review of automo-tive HMI studies, reported in accordance with PRISMA-ScR; an umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses on tactile perception and processing; and a modified Delphi study with six specialists from automotive industry, design, and neuroscience. The scoping review identified fifteen eligible studies, while the umbrella review synthesized evidence from six eligible reviews. The integrated evidence indicates that body regions differ in tactile acuity and sensitivity and that spatial congruence between stimulation location and event direction may support alert interpretation and response. Ten preliminary design guidelines were formulated and subsequently evaluated and refined through expert consensus, resulting in eight consensus-supported guidelines.