Testing the Hypothesis

Everyday across the world many people participate in eating and driving. Our world has turned into a face paced environment where going through drive thrus are a common activity. Even though it is common, it’s definitely not an easy task. Food you get from a drive thru is usually wrapped in paper or place into a closed box. With that being said, you either have to figure out how to drive with one hand or both knees. Your lap is an uneven surface which often leads to spills and further distractions. I think an opportunity could be creating some type of platform that can withstand bumps, speed, and turns while offering a level surface to eat your food.

Who: Any driver who eats in a car

What: A product to make eating in the car easier

Why: The current process for eating and driving causes many accidents

In order to test the need for a tool to make eating and driving easier, I asked five people the following questions:

Do you think a lot of people eat and drive?

Describe the process of how you eat and drive?

Do you think there is a need to make driving and eating safer?

Do you think a car table would be helpful?

Do you think people will ever stop eating and driving?

Interview #1:

Do you think a lot of people eat and drive?

-       Yeah definitely. With all of the fast food places, people eat on the go when driving from place to place or picking up a quick meal.

Describe the process of how you eat and drive?

-       I usually just try to keep the food on my lap somehow or I ask the passenger to feed me.

Do you think there is a need to make driving and eating safer?

-       Eating and driving can be distracting especially if you spill or drop something.

Do you think a car table would be helpful?

-       I think it can be helpful as long as it solves more problems than it causes. If it is not sturdy and leads to spills then I don’t think it will make eating and driving safer.

Do you think people will ever stop eating and driving?

-       No I think as long as fast food chains are still popular people are still going to eat in the car.

Interview #2:

Do you think a lot of people eat and drive?

-       Yes. Sometimes people are in a rush and they don’t have the time to sit down to have a meal.

Describe the process of how you eat and drive?

-       I don’t participate in eating and driving . It is not safe for myself and possibly others.

Do you think there is a need to make driving and eating safer?

-       No, it’s like texting and driving why would we encourage that.

Do you think a car table would be helpful?

-       No it would be in the way and also a safety hazard.

Do you think people will ever stop eating and driving?

-       Yes when we get driverless cars.

Interview #3:

Do you think a lot of people eat and drive?

-       Yes, there is usually a limited time offered for lunch, therefore most workers must be quick with their meals.

Describe the process of how you eat and drive?

-       I typically drive with one hand or I use my legs to steer. It is not safe, but I have gotten pretty good at it.

Do you think there is a need to make driving and eating safer?

-       I believe it would be difficult to remove using your hands while eating, but if there was a better method than I would answer yes.

Do you think a car table would be helpful?

-       I think a car table would help the cause, but not completely fix the problem.

Do you think people will ever stop eating and driving?

-       No. Our society is always moving, so I think this will only increase eating and driving.

Interview #4:

Do you think a lot of people eat and drive?

-       Yes. Since people are so busy I think they try to save time.

Describe the process of how you eat and drive?

-       I try not to unless someone is in the car that can help me prepare my food.

Do you think there is a need to make driving and eating safer?

-       I think a safer way to eat and drive could eliminate a lot of accidents and issues.

Do you think a car table would be helpful?

-       I don’t think a car table would be the answer since the food could still slide right off.

Do you think people will ever stop eating and driving?

-       No. It is the same concept of texting and driving, just not as severe.

Interview #5:

Do you think a lot of people eat and drive?

-       I actually think it might seem like it, but I don’t think many people eat and drive.

Describe the process of how you eat and drive?

-       Of course my goal is to not eat and drive, but if I do have to then I wait until I am at stop lights.

Do you think there is a need to make driving and eating safer?

-       If there was a way to make it safer I think this would be great!

Do you think a car table would be helpful?

-       A car table is a good idea unless it gets in the way of the driver.

Do you think people will ever stop eating and driving?

-       If there is a law against it I think it could be limited, but I don’t think it will ever go away.

Overall, I found that many potential consumers are worried about how this opportunity could work because of the safety implications that could be correlated with a product that assists with eating while driving.