News

When assistance systems don’t assist enough…

Ever tried driving with lane keeping or ACC active, only to suddenly realise the system gives up – maybe because of a sharp curve, missing road markings, or a blinded sensor? Drivers are left wondering: why now? what happened? can I trust this next time?

That gap between trust and confusion is not just frustrating – it is a traffic safety issue. If drivers don’t understand or trust assistance systems, they deactivate them. And when systems are switched off, safety benefits are lost.

This is where the new project Driver SUPPORTive INteraction and Improved User Experience comes in. Led by Cognitian AB and funded by Trafikverket/Skyltfonden, the project will explore how assistance systems can become:

• clearer about their limitations,
• more flexible in supporting the driver’s dynamic driving task, and
• designed with safety by design at their core.

The plan is to deliver concrete proposals for better user experience of ACC and lane keeping systems, ensuring they stay active and helpful for as long as technically possible – and that drivers know exactly when and why to adapt their driving. Because in the end, assistance systems don’t just need to be smart – they need to be supportive, transparent, and trustworthy. That’s where real road safety happens.