News / Transport
Video: Would you let go of the wheel?
The first trials of the driverless car technology which is being studied in Bristol has focussed on the ‘handover’, when the control of the car switches from human driver to autonomous mode.
Researchers say this critical moment between the human driver and the car is a “vital component” to understand before the technology can be tested on public roads.
Run by UWE the first trials tested drivers in a static simulator and then in the Venturer driverless car, on private roads at the UWE campus.
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Under controlled conditions at speeds up to 20mph, drivers reactions were measured in response to the instruction to switch to driverless mode and take back control of the car.
Tony Meehan, from Atkins, says that in the long term driverless cars or autonomous vehicles (AV) can bring great benefits, but getting the user-interface right is key.
“Autonomous vehicles are going to be a global phenomenon and it’s absolutely critical that the UK and the West of England economy are able to benefit from this new global industry.
“The research is looking at how users interact with an as yet unknown piece of kit – how they react when confronted with different situations and when confronted with a piece of kit that looks and feels very familiar but is really radically different.”
Professor Graham Parkhurst (UWE Bristol) says the social and behavioural aspects of how AV technology is introduced are crucial to making a success of the technology’s potential.
“The research needs to help us understand if this technology could encourage people to travel in a different way. Is an AV more likely to be acceptable as a shared vehicle if none of the users is responsible for driving it? The promised benefits from AVs cannot be realised without understanding the social and human behaviours involved.
Tests next year will look at different road conditions, the car emerging from junctions, manoeuvring around roundabouts, and choosing appropriate gaps in traffic that make the occupants feel safe without slowing down traffic or adding to emissions.
Read more: First look at driverless car technology
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