ABSTRACT
Previous studies have indicated that showing the uncertainty of autonomous vehicles, via graphical interfaces, allows drivers to give more attention to non-driving activities while being able to react faster, should human attention be required. Besides graphical interfaces, new research is being conducted on shape-changing interfaces as a means of communication. In this study, the viability of shape-changing interfaces in autonomous vehicles is investigated, in the role of supporting human takeovers during system failures. A simulator study was conducted; the resulting data of 17 participants was analysed. Each participant was shown four system failure simulations with a shape-changing prototype and four simulations without, while being distracted by completing a Fitt’s test. Analysis of the results indicates that there is a small decrease in the time the participants needed to identify the source of the uncertainty, i.e., an improvement in reaction time. The results are low in significance but show potential in the use of shape-changing interfaces in vehicles. More research should be done on different variations and forms of shape change that could be used in the automotive industry.
Previous studies have indicated that showing the uncertainty of autonomous vehicles, via graphical interfaces, allows drivers to give more attention to non-driving activities while being able to react faster, should human attention be required. Besides graphical interfaces, new research is being conducted on shape-changing interfaces as a means of communication. In this study, the viability of shape-changing interfaces in autonomous vehicles is investigated, in the role of supporting human takeovers during system failures. A simulator study was conducted; the resulting data of 17 participants was analysed. Each participant was shown four system failure simulations with a shape-changing prototype and four simulations without, while being distracted by completing a Fitt’s test. Analysis of the results indicates that there is a small decrease in the time the participants needed to identify the source of the uncertainty, i.e., an improvement in reaction time. The results are low in significance but show potential in the use of shape-changing interfaces in vehicles. More research should be done on different variations and forms of shape change that could be used in the automotive industry.
Scenario and test development






PROTOTYPING


Testing



RESULTS
To summarize, a small effect size can be observed in the prototype tests. While this could suggest that this shape changing interface could be a valid tool for improving passenger awareness in autonomous vehicles, a low significance (p=0.45) does cast uncertainty on this result.




