Due to the development of self-driving technology and the increase in demand for personal mobility device due to COVID-19, the concept of automobiles is being redefined as a living space beyond simple means of transportation, and consumers' perception is also gradually changing.

Car manufacturers are capturing this trend in the automobile market and presenting interior design cases that seek to expand the available space and increase utilization of cars according to user behavior.

However, there is a lack of research to substantially verify the usability of these new methods of in-vehicle space utilization. This study, along with existing design examples, noted that many users use their smartphones near the instrument panel and use them for navigation apps when driving cars.

The purpose of the study is to quantitatively compare and analyze the levels of distracted driving according to various smartphone screen locations through eye-tracking experiments, thereby providing the basis for the development of new design ideas.

According to the experiment, there was no significant difference between how long it took for a driver to fix his/her gaze upon a smartphone on the left side of the instrument panel and how long it took for a driver to fix the gaze upon a smartphone on the right side of the instrument panel to pass through the smartphone screen.

This study is significant in that it analyzed the impact of specific smartphone locations on driving safety in relation to the use of smartphones during driving experienced by many drivers.

Through this, it gives suggestions on how to place displays that should be considered when designing an in-vehicle infotainment system.