Designing Autonomy in Cars: A Survey and Two Focus Groups on Driving Habits of an Inclusive User Group, and Group Attitudes Towards Autonomous Cars

Politis, Ioannis; Langdon, Patrick; Bradley, Mike; Skrypchuk, Lee; Mouzakitis, Alexander; Clarkson, P. John · 2017 · OpenAlex-citations

DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-60597-5_15

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Summary

This study addresses the lack of user-centered research on autonomous vehicles, specifically regarding the driving habits and attitudes of an inclusive population in the UK. While previous research has explored general public opinion, it has largely ignored how varying user capabilities and demographics influence the acceptance of autonomy. The authors aim to inform the design of Human-Machine Interfaces (HMI), particularly for safety-critical handovers of control between the vehicle and the driver, by applying inclusive design principles. The research employed a two-phase methodology. First, an online survey was conducted between July and November 2016, recruiting 97 respondents, of whom 63 UK drivers with valid licenses were analyzed. The survey assessed demographics, driving habits, self-reported capabilities (vision, hearing, mobility, dexterity), driving enjoyment, and attitudes toward autonomous cars. Second, a subset of these participants was invited to two focus groups held in July and August 2016. Focus Group 1 (FG1) consisted of five young, technically proficient males, while Focus Group 2 (FG2) comprised six participants with diverse ages, genders, and professions. Both groups discussed handover scenarios using visual aids and structured discussions, with results analyzed thematically. Survey results indicated that driving enjoyment correlated with frequency of driving and usage for work or small trips, but no significant correlation was found between user characteristics and the likeability of autonomous cars. Focus group findings revealed both consensus and divergence. Both groups prioritized safety, trust, and simple HMIs, agreeing that multimodal displays are essential for maintaining situational awareness during handovers. Both groups also expressed polarization regarding partial autonomy, with some viewing it as a burden. However, distinct views emerged based on user characteristics: FG1 participants viewed autonomy as a tool to augment their existing capabilities and increase productivity, expressing concerns about liability and privacy. In contrast, FG2 participants viewed autonomy as an enabler to compensate for physical or cognitive limitations, prioritizing robustness, comfort, and voice-based interfaces. The study concludes that inclusive design is critical for developing autonomous vehicle interfaces that accommodate a wide spectrum of user needs. The findings suggest that designers must account for differing user motivations: younger, capable users may seek efficiency and control, while older or less capable users require robustness and assistance with limitations. The consensus on multimodal handover warnings provides a specific design guideline for improving safety. These results highlight the need for future research to expand sample sizes and further explore how diverse user capabilities shape the acceptance and design of autonomous technologies.

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Topics

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• acceptance adoption
• automation

Information type

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• Empirical Findings: self report data, observational prevalence
• Theoretical Contribution: conceptual framework