Exploring the Intersection of Psychology, Innovation, and Technology with Eva María García Quinteiro

At the Bankinter Innovation Foundation, we are very proud of the alumni who have been part of our Akademia programme.

The uniqueness of the program lies in its design and execution: it ranges from a meticulous student selection process to a practical and avant-garde approach to the content of the classes, complemented by the excellence of the teachers. This results in students who are enthusiastic about innovation, ready to bring new ideas and creative solutions in their respective fields.

On this occasion, we interviewed Eva María García Quinteiro, a leading professional in the field of psychology applied to cutting-edge technology. Her dedication and passion for understanding human interaction with machines make her an inspiring example of how psychology permeates all professional fields.

Eva has a degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Santiago de Compostela (USC), with a Specialist course in Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity, a Master’s Degree in Psychological Preparation for Sport and Physical Activity, a Master’s Degree in Statistical Techniques, and a Doctorate within the Psychological Processes and Social Behavior Program.

At the heart of technological innovation, where psychology and engineering meet, Eva stands out for her pioneering work at the Automotive Technology Centre of Galicia (CTAG), as a senior researcher in human factor assessment. With a career dedicated to understanding human interaction with machines, Eva shares her experiences and visions about the future of automotive and the importance of psychology in technology.

Below, we summarize the interview we had with Eva:

What motivated you to join the Akademia program and how did you discover this opportunity?

I discovered the opportunity through USC’s informational emails; I have to admit that I love learning and I loved the idea of being part of Akademia: an extra academic year with a focus on innovation and entrepreneurship that I found very interesting. I was also struck by the fact that it was related to the first Science and Technology think tank in Spain (FTF) which I would like to attend sometime because it has to be an exceptional meeting between experts from different disciplines debating different economic, social and technological trends.

What did you like most about Akademia?

I really appreciate the classes we had with different experts throughout the academic year. Although I was already used to working in a team, I really enjoyed the Akademia Group project in which I participated. I still remember the name of the app we had in mind: “Appetece”, an idea so that everyone could enjoy a good meal without worrying about allergies. We got a very cohesive group, who worked on the idea in their spare time. Having the opportunity to present the idea in the final in Madrid was a prize already, we enjoyed it a lot.

How has your experience at Akademia influenced your professional career?

Akademia was a transformative experience during my PhD. It exposed me to a broad spectrum of disciplines and approaches, which enriched my perspective and taught me the value of interdisciplinary collaboration. The speakers and the diverse profiles of the participants expanded my vision and applicability of psychology in fields such as technology and engineering.

Could you tell us about your career and how you came to work at CTAG?

My initial training in Clinical Psychology and my passion for understanding how groups of people work led me to specialize in Sports and Physical Activity Psychology. Later, my interest in data analysis and quantification motivated me to pursue a Master’s Degree in Statistical Techniques. I have been at CTAG for 16 years, a place that has allowed me to combine my psychological knowledge with technology, working closely with engineers and designers in the field of Human Machine Interfaces (HMI).

What is your role at CTAG?

My job is to contribute from psychology all the issues related to human behavior that have to do with when people interact with technology, in our case, with car technology. I work closely with industrial designers and engineers to make the driver experience as seamless, easy, safe and intuitive as possible.

Our approach focuses on ergonomics and intuitive interaction between driver and vehicle, ensuring that every aspect of the cockpit is designed for comfort, safety and efficiency. By applying usability studies and evaluating human-machine interfaces (HMIs), we contribute to the creation of vehicle cabins that not only respond to drivers’ physical needs, but also enhance their user experience with the car. Monitoring the driver’s behaviour (knowing when the driver reacts to a stimulus, accelerates, brakes… etc.) and their perception of the environment and the information shown to them play a fundamental role in this process, allowing user interfaces to be designed that minimise distractions and maximise visual clarity, key aspects for safe driving.

On the other hand, we extend our analysis to the driver’s physical and mental well-being through detailed studies and subjective evaluations inside the vehicle. These studies not only seek to optimize the design and layout of the controls but also to ensure that the driving experience is relaxing and stress-free, even on long journeys or in adverse conditions. Anthropometric studies are also carried out at our centre ensuring that vehicles can adapt to a wide range of human body sizes and shapes, promoting a healthy posture and reducing the risk of injury or discomfort while driving. The idea, by integrating these disciplines into automotive design, improves the performance and safety of vehicles and also enriches the overall driving experience, paving the way for a future in which technology and human well-being advance hand in hand.

In your work, what is the aspect that you are most passionate about?

What I’m most passionate about is the ability to apply psychology to improve the interaction between the driver and automotive technology. We work with driving simulators and conduct tests to understand how to present information to the driver effectively, how the driver’s condition affects driving, and how to improve safety and end-user experience.

Within the process of innovation and vehicle development, we employ a comprehensive methodology that begins in a controlled and technologically advanced environment: the driving simulator. This tool becomes the first link in a chain of tests designed to optimize the driver experience and vehicle safety. In this virtual space, drivers can interact with design prototypes in a safe environment, allowing us to collect crucial data about ergonomics, the usability of the interfaces and the driver’s reaction to various driving situations. This initial approach to simulation facilitates the early identification of potential improvements, ensuring that the necessary adjustments are implemented before moving on to more costly and complex stages of development. Following the valuable insights gained from the simulator, the process can evolve into closed-track testing, where virtually tested concepts face real-world complexities. This step represents a critical transition, where the hypotheses and data collected in the simulator are subjected to the final test. Another type of study we carry out are naturalistic tests: in these tests, for one year, the driver’s behaviour and interaction with the vehicle are exhaustively monitored under controlled but realistic conditions. This extensive testing phase allows you to evaluate ergonomics and functionality in a practical context and also to understand how environmental and driving variables affect vehicle performance and driver satisfaction. This is critical to the design of vehicles that meet the highest safety standards while offering an intuitive, comfortable and enjoyable driving experience, setting new benchmarks for automotive design excellence.

Can you share any outstanding experience in European projects?

Participating in European projects has been enormously enriching. It has allowed me to collaborate with experts from all over Europe, share knowledge and tackle complex challenges together. These projects lead us to constantly innovate and seek creative solutions that integrate psychology into technological design, always with the aim of improving the user experience. An example is one of the first European projects in which I participated: euroFOT, in which different naturalistic studies were carried out on a large scale to evaluate advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) such as Cruise Control or Speed Limiter to evaluate aspects related to the user, traffic safety, efficiency and the environment.

What would be your advice for psychology students interested in the field of technology?

My advice would be to see psychology as a powerful tool that can be applied in any field, especially in technology. Understanding human behavior is critical to designing systems and products that are intuitive, secure, and satisfying to the user. I encourage students to explore the intersection between psychology and technology and to look for opportunities that allow them to apply their knowledge in innovative contexts.

Looking to the future, how do you see the relationship between psychology and automotive technology evolving?

The future is promising and challenging. Psychology will play an even more crucial role as we move towards autonomous vehicles and advanced driver assistance systems. Understanding human perception, emotion, and behavior will be key to designing technologies that interact naturally and effectively with users. I’m excited to be a part of this journey and contribute to the creation of safer and more enjoyable driving experiences.

Thank you very much, Eva!

If you want to know the testimonies of other Akademia alumni, you can see them here.

And if you want to know more about the Akademia program, we invite you to visit the Foundation’s website.