Towards guidelines and verification methods for automated vehicle HMIs

Naujoks, Frederik; Wiedemann, Katharina; Schömig, Nadja; Hergeth, Sebastian; Keinath, Andreas · 2018 · OpenAlex-citations

DOI: 10.1016/j.trf.2018.10.012

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Summary

This paper addresses the lack of standardized guidelines for Human-Machine Interfaces (HMIs) in automated vehicles, particularly for SAE Levels 2 and 3 automation where drivers must supervise the system or serve as a fallback. The authors argue that effective communication of system states—such as automation status, reliability, and take-over requests—is critical for safety and trust. To fill this gap, the study derives an initial set of design principles and a verification methodology based on a review of existing empirical research, applicable standards (e.g., ISO, SAE, NHTSA), and best practices for in-vehicle information systems and warning systems. The methodology involves synthesizing recommendations from various sources to create specific guidelines for visual-auditory and visual-vibrotactile interfaces. These guidelines are then translated into a heuristic evaluation checklist. This checklist allows designers and engineers to verify HMI compliance during typical use cases by inspecting the interface for adherence to the proposed principles, documenting any non-compliance. The approach is intended to complement, not replace, empirical usability testing, offering a cost-effective tool for early-stage development and validation. The paper presents twelve specific guidelines covering operation principles, system mode indication, display installation, legibility, understandability, and color coding. Key recommendations include preventing unintentional activation/deactivation, continuously displaying system modes, and ensuring visual interfaces are positioned within a 30-degree cone of the driver’s line of sight. Legibility guidelines specify minimum character heights (visual angle of 120–200), sans-serif fonts, and high contrast ratios (minimum 3:1, recommended 5:1 for night mode). Understandability guidelines advocate for standardized symbols, urgency-appropriate semantics, and simple, non-technical language. Color coding guidelines limit the use to five colors, align with common stereotypes (e.g., red for danger), and require redundant coding to accommodate color-blind users. The significance of this work lies in providing the automotive industry with a structured framework for designing and validating automated vehicle HMIs. By establishing these guidelines and a corresponding heuristic evaluation method, the authors aim to stimulate discussion within the scientific and technical communities toward future robust standards. This framework helps ensure that HMIs effectively support drivers in monitoring automation and executing control transitions, thereby enhancing safety and usability during the evolution of vehicle automation.

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Topics

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• automation
• ehmi external hmi
• odd communication
• vru facing ehmi

Information type

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• Applied Guidance: design guidelines
• Theoretical Contribution: conceptual framework