Mind Over Matter - Investigating the Influence of Driver's Perception in the Misuse of Automated Vehicles

Paper in proceeding, 2025

As vehicles with several levels of automation become increasingly common, there is an increase in incidents involving the misuse of Driving Automation Systems (DAS). The manner in which drivers interact with DAS indicates that the problem extends beyond UI design. We investigate how drivers’ perceptions and expectations affect their understanding and consequent usage of DAS. The study employed a Wizard-of-Oz approach to simulate a vehicle with a Level 2 and Level 3 DAS on a public highway. Sixteen participants were exposed to the two driving modes and two distinct UIs. Observations, think-aloud protocols, and in-depth interviews documented their interaction with the different DAS. Irrespective of the UI, various errors were detected, including omission, commission, and mode confusion. Deeper investigation into the sources led to the conclusion that drivers’ preconceptions of the DAS were a major contributor, resulting in misuse. This highlights the need to look beyond UI design as a sole solution to address drivers' understanding and use of DAS.