SAFER Research day: ADAS & Human Interaction – unlocking the full potential
Welcome to SAFER Research Day ADAS & Human Interaction – unlocking the full potential!
Active safety systems have tremendous life-saving potential—but how can we ensure they are used widely and correctly to make a real impact? This spring’s Research Day brings together experts from academia, industry, and society to share knowledge, identify gaps, and drive progress forward.
- How do people actually use these systems in real-world scenarios?
- What barriers prevent broader and more effective adoption?
- What is needed to maximise their impact and save more lives?
Through engaging discussions, insightful presentations, and collaborative analysis, we will take the next step toward a future where safety systems are not just available—but effectively used.
We look forward to a day of valuable insights, new perspectives, and inspiring conversations. Welcome!
Agenda
12:00 Networking lunch
12:30 The effectiveness of ADAS Systems. The use of ADAS in real traffic. Anders Kullgren, Folksam
12:45 ADAPTIN – Adaptive Interventions for Impaired Driving, Johan Karlsson, Cognitian
13:00 Enhanced ADAS II, Daban Rizgary, RISE
13:15 I2Connect, Paul Hemeren, University of Skövde
13:30 Networking break
14:00 Holistic and adaptivE Interface Design for human-technology Interactions (HEIDI) – Anna Sjörs Dahlman, VTI
14:15 Presentation of the studies “Habits, attitudes, and expectations of regular users of partial driving automation systems” and “Finding windows of opportunity: How drivers adapt to partial automation safeguards over time”, Dr. Alexandra Mueller, Ph.D, Senior Research Scientist, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
14:45 Dialogue around the challenges with the audience moderated by Magnus Granström and Anna Sjörs Dahlman
15:30 End of session
About the projects & studies
Do drivers use driver assistance systems? A study on self-reported experiences of driver assistance systems
Modern vehicles come equipped with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) designed to improve safety and reduce accidents. But how are these systems actually used in everyday driving? Do drivers rely on them—or choose to turn them off? In a recent study by Folksam and Kantar Sifo, researchers explored how drivers interact with key ADAS features like Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning, and Lane Keeping Assist. The findings provide valuable insights into why some drivers disable these safety systems and what can be done to enhance their effectiveness and usability. Join the discussion on our key results, and what they mean for the future of ADAS and road safety.
ADAPTIN – Adaptive Interventions for Impaired Driving
ADAPTIN explores how technology could adapt in real-time to support drivers when they need it most. By analyzing real crash scenarios, the project investigates adjustments in braking and lane-keeping systems to enhance driver safety such that when cars detect driver fatigue, distraction, or impairment, they can intervene before it’s too late. This is the vision of ADAPTIN – Adaptive Interventions for Impaired Driving. Led by Cognitian AB and funded by Skyltfonden, ADAPTIN runs from January to June 2025. As the project nears its conclusion, we look forward to dialogue on the preliminary results
Enhanced ADAS II
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) are meant to make driving safer, more efficient, and more comfortable, but to truly maximise their potential, they must be designed with the driver in mind. This project focuses on human-centred interaction, ensuring that both system functionality and user interfaces are intuitive and effective. By leveraging driver and cabin monitoring, ADAS can adapt in real-time, improving situational awareness, trust, and overall usability. A key innovation is the use of multimodal interfaces, creating more seamless interaction between driver and vehicle. All solutions will be thoroughly tested, with final prototypes evaluated in real cars, on public roads or test tracks. The project is led by RISE and the partners are Aptiv and Smart Eye. The project is nearing its conclusion, and we will soon be discussing preliminary results.
I2Connect
How can connected vehicles and smarter ADAS prevent serious crashes? The I2Connect project explores this by integrating car-to-cloud communication, external sensing, and driver monitoring to enhance risk detection and driver warnings. Focusing on two major heavy truck crash types (rear-end collisions with cars and turning accidents with cyclists) I2Connect fuses data from radars, cameras, roadside sensors, and weather conditions to develop cloud-based risk assessments. Led by University of Skövde, with Scania, Smart Eye, and Viscando, the project aims to improve HGV safety from manual (Level 1) to highly automated (Level 4) driving. With results emerging soon, join us to discuss the first findings on the future of safer, connected mobility!
Holistic and adaptivE Interface Design for human-technology Interactions
Today’s human-machine interfaces (HMI) often misinterpret the intentions of pedestrians and vehicles, leading to distracting warnings for drivers and increased risks for vulnerable road users. The HEIDI project is developing a cooperative HMI that combines internal and external sensing to create a shared understanding of traffic situations. The system anticipates hazards and proactively guides safe joint actions for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists.
This adaptive solution dynamically adjusts to different conditions, such as distracted drivers or older pedestrians, ensuring smoother and safer interactions between vehicles and their surroundings.
As a large EU-funded project with VTI as a key partner, HEIDI is now entering its final phase and Anna will present some of the key results.
Welcome Dr. Alexandra Mueller!
We are proud to welcome Dr. Alexandra Mueller as a special guest speaker at our upcoming SAFER event. Dr. Mueller is a Senior Research Scientist at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), where she has been conducting research since 2017 on the usability and safety of driver assistance technologies and driving automation. With a Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Western Ontario, and postdoctoral fellowships at McMaster University and Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, she brings extensive expertise in human behaviour and automation.
At the event, Dr. Mueller will share insights from studies on how drivers interact with partially automated systems, including:
- Habits, attitudes, and expectations of regular users of automation
- How drivers adapt to automation safeguards over time
Dr Mueller will join our dialogue to explore the future of ADAS!
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About the SAFER Research Days
SAFER Research Days aim to share insights, engage in meaningful discussions, present project results, identify next steps, strengthen networks, and gain new inspiration through thematic sessions, deep dives, guest speakers, and working group presentations.
Our Research Days are designed to achieve several important objectives:
- Disseminate knowledge: Share the valuable insights and discoveries generated from our diverse project portfolio.
- Engage in meaningful discussions: Participate in panel dialogues and workshops to delve into our partners’ findings, plan future steps, and emphasize practical applications in society as well as potential new projects.
- Identify next steps for projects: Explore potential next steps, paving the way for innovative proposals that drive progress and impact.
- Strengthen collaborative networks: Connect with peers, partners, and experts to exchange ideas and build stronger relationships for future cooperation.
In addition to these goals, our Research Days will feature:
- Thematic focus: Participate in sessions that focus on specific themes relevant to our research community.
- Deep dives and workshops: Engage in detailed explorations of specific topics to gain deeper understanding and insights.
- Guest speakers: Gain inspiration and knowledge from guest speakers who are leaders in their respective fields.
- Working Group presentations: Hear from various working groups about their ongoing projects and achievements.
- New inspiration: Discover new ideas and inspiration to drive your own research and projects forward.
We look forward to a productive and inspiring Research Day event together with you!
These mini-conferences are for SAFER partners only!
