To ensure clear, learnable and cooperative interaction between the Automated Vehicle and other traffic participants, as well as a smooth flow of all traffic, it is essential that there is good means of communication between all actors. Main objective was to substantially improve this communication and cooperation of the Automated Vehicle with its on-board user and surrounding traffic participants.

In an interative design process we identified two important interaction strategies –the intention-based and the perception-based strategy and designed related messages. After the analysis of different interaction channels the visual channel was chosen as most promising one. interACT’s HMI-development focussed on technical components for visual transfer of messages, i.e. the technical implementation of new light‐based exterior components for the Automated Vehicle (eHMI) and on‐board interfaces (iHMI). In several simulator and Virtual Reality studies with users we tested and refined the interaction strategies and the message design for the final implementation in the demonstrator vehicles.

Final outputs are the interaction design strategies, the message design and the prototypes, which provide a visual communication system around the whole vehicle for communication with other traffic participants. In detail: Two eHMI technologies were selected, developed, implemented and integrated – a 360° LED Light Band and a so-called Directed Signal Lamp.

Figure: eHMI_1 = 360° Light Band (left); eHMI_2 = Directed Signal Lamp (right)

These devices put the project into a position to implement an intention-based or perception-based interaction strategy or a combination of both. In accordance with overall interaction strategies, two iHMI technologies were selected for the interACT project as well. The communication with the on-board user was established via a 360° Light Band and an Automation Display.

Read more

Wilbrink, M., Schieben, A., Kaup, M., Willrodt, J.-H., Weber F., Lee, Y. M., Markkula, G.;Romano, R., Merat, N. “interACT D.4.1. Preliminary interaction strategies for the interACT Automated Vehicles” (2018)

Weber, F., Sorokin, L., Schmidt, E. et.al “interACT D.4.2. Final interaction strategies for the interACT Automated Vehicles” (2019)

Kaup, M., Willrodt, J.-H., Schieben, A., Wilbrink, M., “interACT D4.3 – Final design and HMI solutions for the interaction of AVs with user on‐board and other traffic participants ready for final implementation”(2019)