In-car Voice Assistants (VAs) play an increasingly critical role in automotive user interface design. However, existing VAs primarily perform simple 'query-answer' tasks, limiting their ability to sustain drivers' long-term attention. In this study, we investigate the effectiveness of an in-car Robot Assistant (RA) that offers functionalities beyond voice interaction. We aim to answer the question: How does the presence of a social robot impact user experience in real driving scenarios? Our study begins with a user survey to understand perspectives on in-car VAs and their influence on driving experiences. We then conduct non-driving and on-road experiments with selected participants to assess user experiences with an RA. Additionally, we conduct subjective ratings to evaluate user perceptions of the RA's personality, which is crucial for robot design. We also explore potential concerns regarding ethical risks. Finally, we provide a comprehensive discussion and recommendations for the future development of in-car RAs.

翻译：车载语音助手（VAs）在汽车用户界面设计中扮演着日益关键的角色。然而，现有语音助手主要执行简单的"查询-应答"任务，限制了其维持驾驶员长期注意力的能力。在本研究中，我们探索了具备超越语音交互功能的车载机器人助手（RA）的有效性。我们旨在回答以下问题：在真实驾驶场景中，社交机器人的存在如何影响用户体验？研究首先通过用户调查了解对车载语音助手的看法及其对驾驶体验的影响，随后选取受试者开展非驾驶实验与道路实验，评估用户对机器人助手的体验。此外，我们通过主观评分评估用户对机器人助手人格特质的感知（这对机器人设计至关重要），并探讨潜在的伦理风险。最后，我们为车载机器人助手的未来发展提供综合性讨论与建议。