Project

Gaze-steering coordination with pilot assist systems: A test track experiment on AstaZero

Period
1 April 2018–31 March 2019
Project manager
Esko Lehtonen

Project A-0031 within SAFER's Open Research at AstaZero Program.

The aim of the study is to investigate how drivers adapt to steering automation and how control is taken back when the steering automation fails. The current research is novel in two ways. First, the study will investigate eye movements patterns in detail with automated steering and when the steering automation fails. Second, predictive processing framework will be used to explain the coordination of eye movements and steering actions during steering automation and in takeovers.

Investigating the eye movement patterns in detail during steering automation and failures will help to understand in what extent human drivers stay “in the loop” and how the driver get take back control if needed. This will help to develop advanced driver models which support testing and development of driving assistance systems.

In the experiment participants will drive multiple laps on the AstaZero test track with an instrumented test vehicle provided by Autoliv. Their steering control and eye movements will be recorded. Each participant will drive both manually and using an advanced pilot assist system. During part of the drives, the participants will perform a visual secondary task implemented as a smartphone application, which requires them to take their gaze away from the road. A couple of times during the drive, a pilot assist system failure will be triggered, requiring the driver to take back control. The participant will be accompanied by a safety driver. Ethical approval will be sought by a relevant Ethical Review Board before the execution of the pilots and tests.

Short facts

Research area
Systems for accident prevention and AD
Financier(s)
Open Research at AstaZero Program (RISE, Chalmers)
Partners
Chalmers University of Technology
Autoliv
Project type
Open research