Colloquia

Summary

Automated vehicles (AV) have rapidly emerged as a promising solution for improving modern transportation systems. Among different levels of automation, Level 3 (Conditional Driving Automation) represents a critical transitional stage. Although Level 3 AVs are expected to become mainstream in the near future, their actual adoption and public acceptance remain limited.At this level, human drivers can disengage from continuous driving tasks and only re-engage when AV reaches system limits. However, drivers choose to take back control even when AV functions properly due to distrust.

Proactive human-automation interaction can facilitate trust buidling. It is reflected in anticipating user needs, communicating situational awareness and requesting confirmation before maneuvers. However, most existing approaches focus on trust calibration in ongoing use rather than encouraging initial engagement. To address this gap, this research explores the concept of handover (i.e. human transfer control to vehicle), to figure out how AV should proactively negotiate for driving authorisation.

The research aims to develop design guidelines for structuring handover related interaction. Specifically, it investigates: (1) Under what scenarios are drivers more likely to accept a HOR? (2) What types of information should an AV provide during a proactive HOR to increase its acceptance?

A mixed-methods approach is used, combining quantitative studies with qualitative interviews. Two experiments are conducted to address each sub-question. Based on the findings and prior literature, a set of design guidelines for handover are proposed. They cover initiation timing, information presentation, communication style and a multi-stage interaction structure. These guidelines aim to create a logical and non-forceful control transition experience.The experience adapts to user mental model of AV capability developed through long term adoption.

The guidelines are also evaluated by automotive experts. They respond positively regarding safety performance and user experience in the handover process designed based on guidelines. Their insights are used to further refine the recommendations. This research can offer actionable implications for automotive UX design and contributes to the broader adoption of Level 3 AVs.