Conditionally and highly automated vehicle handover: a study exploring vocal communication between two drivers

Automated Vehicles with levels 3 and 4 capability involve the handover of control and responsibility between driver and automation. The handover task represents a vulnerability in a given system due to the reduction of situation awareness and possible breakdowns in communication. Handover assistants are a design approach proposed to counteract these vulnerabilities. This study investigated the concept of a vocal handover assistant by exploring information transferred, and the methods for doing so, in naturalistic vocal handover between two drivers. Additionally, it was hypothesised that scripted vocal methods would differ in measures of workload, usability, acceptance and the effect on longitudinal/lateral driving behaviour. In each trial, two drivers took part in a driving simulation exchanging control from one-another. Drivers took part in six conditions: four pre-set conditions related to a different interaction style and two ‘free-form’ conditions before and after pre-set conditions. Our results show a change in information-types transferred and methods adopted for communication from before to after taking part in pre-set conditions. Other findings highlight considerations to be made such as training, personalization, the transmission of priority as well as contextual information, and how handover methods may affect the control of the vehicle following handover. Grice's Maxims were applied to handover methods to facilitate discussion. We present four considerations for future design: efficiency, personalization, and presentation of prioritised and context-related information.

Automobile, Handover, High automation, Takeover, Vocal communication

10.1016/j.trf.2018.06.008

1369-8478

1-17

Clark, Jediah R.

5d82ac6c-58be-4366-9b11-5e3179d85b33

Stanton, Neville A.

351a44ab-09a0-422a-a738-01df1fe0fadd

Revell, Kirsten M.A.