A wheel you squeeze: drivers negotiate the direction with the car's automation
Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a steering wheel with two inflatable zones. It shows where the semi-autonomous system wants to steer – and drivers can object by squeezing.
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Video: YouTube · Michigan Engineering · youtube.com
A team at the University of Michigan has developed a steering wheel through which humans and driving automation can "negotiate". Two inflatable zones sit at the 10 o'clock and 2 o'clock positions. If the system wants to turn left or right, it inflates the corresponding zone. If the driver disagrees, they squeeze the zone; if the automation insists on its plan, the wheel signals this by pulsing. If an obstacle appears, the wheel pulses on that side.
The system was tested in a driving simulator with three screens. Compared with versions offering no information or a one-way display of intentions, participants drove smoother and more accurate paths, fought the automation less and braked less, according to the researchers. They found driving less effortful and frustrating, and their trust recovered faster after automation errors. Some, however, became overly trusting – something the team wants to study further.
The study was published in the journal Human Factors and funded by the Toyota Research Institute. The first author is robotics PhD student Hannah Báez, the senior author robotics professor Brent Gillespie. The technology is patented, and the team is looking for partners to bring it to market.