The gear shift knob requires considerable learning efforts for somebody new to the car. Instead of linear and simple gear shifts system dictates the user behavior.
The gear shift knob requires considerable learning efforts for somebody new to the car. Instead of linear and simple gear shifts, system dictates the user behavior. The gear-changing movements are based on the system of the car. The same design directions are used for the end use also.
The gear changes indicate the change in speed. The users should easily change the gear especially when it is required in crucial situation, where user shouldn’t spend more time on the current design of the changing gear and then decide which direction to change.
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I cannot disagree more,
The gear shift configuration is non linear for a reason. The current non linear method groups out gear positions into odd and even numbers. This assists the user in figuring out which gear he/she is traveling at the moment. For example if the gear is at the top position, the car should be traveling either in the first gear or the third gear. If it is below, the car should be traveling in the second or forth position. It also helps the user not to slip into reverse by mistake. Of course you can propose to have a gear indicator on the dashboard that shows the gear position. But being able to feel the gear is a stronger means of perception than reading, besides the user has to take their eyes off of the road to see the indicator. This "complex" gear shift design helps more in cases of cars with more than 5 gears. If you look at automatic cars, the gear system is linear because the need for being able to shift between gears are so minimal. So the user puts the car in one gear and continues to stay the same.
What is the benefit in making an extremely easy gear system?
Are you proposing that people should be able to get in a car and drive to their mother's house in their very first try? A car is a very complex tool that requires a lot of mental to physical co-ordination. Getting a good steering co-ordination itself is a huge task. Just by making an easy linear gear system is not going to improve the learnability and discoverability of car driving.
The problem with the learning curve cannot be isolated and blamed on the gear system. Steering wheel is so easy to use, still can someone learn how to steer without a lot of practice??
As an interaction designer, you should start looking at improving the whole experience of learning to drive as opposed to just think of the gear shift problem.
For first, Usability is not about "Making everything Easy". It is also about making certain things very difficult to get to as well.
Should the "Drop the atom bomb now" button in the cockpit of a fighter place easy to get to?
I think it should be a little difficult to get to, so that the pilot will not drop bombs all over the place by mistake.
Peace...