Ambient Light An integrative, LED based interaction concept for different levels of automation

Abstract

In the present paper an innovative approach for the driver-automation interaction based on visual signals is presented. A 360° LED stripe which is installed in the interior of the car communicates to the driver via his peripheral vision (Ambient light). A consistent, color-coded interaction design in the peripheral field of vision is used to guide the driver’s attention and to support him in different level of automation by providing automation-related information. The HMI concept uses situation specific sub-symbolic signals to achieve a simple and intuitive driver-automation interaction. The paper presents the results of a simulator study with 40 participants (between-subject design) who tested two different design versions for the ambient light. The main focus of the study was to evaluate if the ambient light could be used to support drivers in transitioning from SAE level 3 (driver does not need to monitor the automation function) to SAE level 2 (driver needs to monitor the automation function). Two different interaction designs (Basic SAE2 indication vs. Basic SAE2 indication + detected object) of the ambient light were developed and compared regarding their potential to support drivers in a system failure scenario. Results from gaze behaviour show that the ambient light is very effective in supporting the drivers to shift their attention from complete distraction while driving (SAE3) towards the monitoring task (SAE2). Further, the indication of detected vehicles by the automation helped participants to anticipate automation failures and led to an earlier takeover of control if needed.