WHAT: A conference hosted by University of New Hampshire researchers this week will explore distracted driving from both the technical and human aspects of in-vehicle devices. The fourth annual International Conference on Automotive User Interfaces and Interactive Vehicular Applications, or Automotive UI, is the premier forum of its type.

WHEN: Wednesday through Friday, Oct. 17-19, 2012

WHERE: Sheraton Harborside in Portsmouth

BACKGROUND: Chaired by Andrew Kun, associated professor of electrical and computer engineering at UNH and the principal investigator of Project 54, AutomotiveUI will convene more than 150 researchers and practitioners from around the world for sessions that address the myriad ways to enhance both the safety and service of in-vehicle devices. Participants, hailing from academia, government and industry, will comprise computer scientists, electrical engineers, computer engineers, human factors engineers, and psychologists.

RSVP: Beth Potier, beth.potier@unh.edu, (603) 862-1566. Organizers suggest optimal times for media to attend would be the visit to the UNH Driving Simulator Lab on Wednesday evening (5:30 - 8) and both the poster sessions and coffee breaks on Thursday and Friday, which would provide ample time to speak with participants. A complete schedule is available here: http://www.auto-ui.org/12/index.php.

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