Investigating Various Dynamics in the Box Task Combined With a Detection Response Task: Are There Performance Differences Between Uniform and Non-uniform Box Dynamics?

The Box Task combined with a Detection Response Task (BT + DRT) is a relatively less investigated but promising method for evaluating visual-manual and cognitive task demand due to the interaction with in-vehicle information systems while driving. The BT includes the tracking of a dynamic box whose size and position follow a sinusoidal pattern with uniform amplitudes and frequencies. However, it is unclear whether participants are able to predict and adapt to these uniform dynamics, which might lead to a reduced sensitivity of the BT + DRT. Within the present study, it was aimed to examine differences in BT + DRT performance depending on uniform and non-uniform BT dynamics. A laboratory study was conducted with N = 41 participants. The experimental conditions differed in the type and difficulty level of the secondary tasks as well as in the BT dynamics (uniform, varying amplitude, varying frequency). While the uniform BT dynamics could be more predictable, the non-uniform BT dynamics were designed slightly easier in their difficulty using a lower frequency or amplitude. The results revealed no performance benefits when performing uniform BT dynamics compared to non-uniform BT dynamics. The frequency BT condition was related to a significantly lower variability of box position and higher gaze duration on the secondary task compared to the uniform BT dynamics. These findings suggest that participants are not or only negligible able to adapt to the uniform BT dynamics. Therefore, it is recommended to use the uniform BT dynamics as suggested and implemented in previous studies.