The main topic of this thesis is a method generation for the evaluation of virtual buttons with multimodal feedback. Virtual switches or buttons are becoming more present in the automotive domain, and force-sensing for activation combined with vibrational and auditory feedback (so-called 3D switches) is the latest evolutionary step in switching technology. To evaluate this new technology, a new evaluation method needed to be developed. In order to evaluate preferences in concepts directly

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... d to the users, the repertory grid method was employed for the generation of items. These items were accumulated to a fixed grid with variable addition possibilities through each testing phase. In total, three pre-studies and one main experiment were conducted. In the first study, 16 healthy US citizens conducted a pairwise comparison and a repertory grid in a lab study with different feedback settings in terms of frequency and amplitude in order to see whether additional information could be obtained through employing the grid. The second and third study took place in a driving simulator with German subjects, investigating different methodical aspects and in terms of switch characteristics, activation and deactivation forces, their optimal delta, and, for push-and-hold functions, the time between the different feedback actuations. Additional to the preference rating, workload and driving data was collected. 39 and 30 healthy participants were tested, respectively, and the fixed grid enhanced. In the main experiment, 40 healthy German participants compared mechanical, capacitive and 3D switches. Preference, workload, eye tracking and driving data was obtained for the analysis. Concluding, optimal settings for 3D switches could be obtained in the three pre-studies and their automotive applicability could be substantiated in a driving simulator context. A new method was developed iteratively to measure the user preference for multimodal, vibrational and auditory feedback, and force interaction, which can be applied in othe [...]