When selecting a transmission gear, it has been standard to shift by operating a lever-type gear selector, but with advances in transmission technology and vehicle control, there is currently demand for technical progress in the operating method of the gear selector, and a good balance between intuitive operation by users and prevention of accidental operation is required. The authors have developed a push button-type electrically controlled gear selector that makes shifting easy to master and enables intuitive operation. A push button-type shifter should essentially be suitable for intuitive operation, but difficulty in distinguishing between selections has been an issue.
However, we posited that distinguishing gear position selections by differentiating button operation direction as well as button positioning and shape could be implemented effectively. Through verification with test subjects, we have confirmed that this shift selector is intuitive and helpful in mastering operation.