From HMI to HMIs: Towards an HMI Framework for Automated Driving
DOI: 10.3390/info11020061
archive: archived pipeline: cataloged verified
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Summary
This paper addresses the complexity of human-machine interaction in automated vehicles (AVs), arguing that successful integration requires moving from a single Human-Machine Interface (HMI) to a coordinated system of multiple HMIs. As automation levels increase, the traditional driver becomes a passenger, necessitating new communication strategies for both internal interactions with occupants and external interactions with surrounding road users. The authors identify a gap in current research and industry development, where HMI components are often designed in isolation without considering their synchronization, consistency, or interrelations. The motivation is to provide a holistic framework that coordinates these diverse interfaces to ensure effective communication in varying traffic scenarios. The authors propose a comprehensive HMI framework structured as a circuit that links influencing factors to the selection of specific HMI types and message content. The framework categorizes influencing factors into static infrastructure (e.g., road geometry, traffic rules), dynamic elements (e.g., weather, other road users, vehicle maneuvers), the automation system’s capabilities, and the addressees of communication. Based on these factors, the framework defines five distinct HMI types: the dynamic HMI (dHMI), which communicates via vehicle trajectory; the vehicle HMI (vHMI), providing status information; the infotainment HMI (iHMI), supporting non-driving-related activities; the automation HMI (aHMI), conveying system status and automation activities; and the external HMI (eHMI), communicating with external road users via surface interfaces. The framework emphasizes that the selection of these interfaces depends heavily on the automation level, which dictates the passenger’s role and attention state, as well as the specific operational context. The analysis reveals that HMI selection is not static but evolves with the driving scenario. For instance, higher automation levels shift the passenger’s role from active operator to passive monitor or occupant, altering their information needs and requiring different internal HMI strategies. Simultaneously, the AV must compensate for the lack of human cues (like eye contact) by using external HMIs to communicate intentions to other road users. The framework illustrates how static and dynamic factors, such as visual constrictions or weather conditions, directly impact the suitability of specific HMI types. By mapping these relationships, the paper demonstrates that HMIs must operate in synchronization rather than isolation to maintain safety and user trust. The significance of this work lies in providing a standardized terminology and a structural model for coordinating HMI research and development in academia and industry. By visualizing the interrelations between different HMI types and their influencing factors, the framework helps identify research gaps and ensures that HMI designs are ergonomically sound and context-aware. This approach supports the development of consistent communication strategies that adapt to the changing roles of passengers and the dynamic nature of traffic environments, ultimately facilitating the successful introduction of automated vehicles into mixed traffic.
Provenance
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| Stage | Outcome | Tool | Model | Prompt | Attempts | Completed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| discover | success | Crossref | — | — | 1 | 2026-06-17 |
| archive | success | openalex | — | — | 5 | 2026-06-25 |
| extract | success | cached | — | — | 2 | 2026-06-26 |
| clean | success | clean | — | — | 1 | 2026-06-18 |
| chunk | success | chunk | — | — | 1 | 2026-06-18 |
| embed | success | embed | Qwen/Qwen3-Embedding-8B | — | 1 | 2026-06-18 |
| promote | success | — | — | — | 1 | 2026-06-17 |
| summarize | success | llm | qwen3.6-27b-prismaquant | summ-v5 | 1 | 2026-06-26 |
| tag | success | vector_similarity | — | — | 6 | 2026-06-18 |
| verify | success | — | — | — | 1 | 2026-06-26 |
Summary generated by qwen3.6-27b-prismaquant on 2026-06-26; verification: verified.
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- Applied Guidance: design guidelines
- Theoretical Contribution: conceptual framework