The Rolling Robot and the Human Brain: Handover of the Driving Task in Automated Vehicles

Abstract

The automation of driving represents a pivotal innovation in vehicular technology, transitioning from automating secondary and tertiary tasks such as ignition, gearboxes, and rain sensors, to automating the core driving procedures. This redefinition of the driving process fundamentally alters the human-machine interface (HMI) and vehicle interiors. Ensuring safe driving, vehicle usability, and a positive user experience necessitates clear delineation of responsibilities between human and machine drivers.In a laboratory study with 20 participants (55% female, 45% male, ages 20-59) with varying experience in advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), four handover procedures were evaluated for understandability and user experience. The study comprised two parts: testing the comprehensibility of animated icons and a comparative analysis of four handover procedure designs. Icon sets differed in their representation—one holistic and the other detailed—and varied in their display strategy and location.Data were collected via direct questioning, the Net Promoter Score (NPS), the meCUE user experience questionnaire, design rankings, and open interviews. Results indicated a preference for detailed icons over holistic ones. The most favored handover procedure featured a centrally located, single detailed icon representing the current activity, leading to superior scores in NPS, meCUE, and overall ranking. Interview feedback highlighted preferences for clarity, simplicity, and central icon placement. Younger participants favored animated icons with bubble effects, while older participants preferred simpler designs. These findings underscore the importance of user-centric design in automated driving systems.The study was performed during the KARLI project funded by the German Ministry of Economy.

Keywords: Automotive Automation Handover Design

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1005467