Close Menu
Automotive Testing Technology International
  • News
    • A-H
      • ADAS & CAVs
      • Aerodynamics
      • Appointments, Partnerships, Investments & Acquisitions
      • Automotive Testing Expo
      • Batteries & Powertrain Testing
      • Component Testing
      • Safety and crash testing
      • Dynamometers
      • EMC & Electronics Testing
      • Emissions & Fuel Consumption
      • Facilities
      • Full-vehicle Testing
    • I-Z
      • Interiors & Infotainment Testing
      • Measurement Tools, Test Systems & Equipment
      • Motorsport
      • NVH & Acoustics
      • Proving Grounds
      • R&D
      • Sensors & Transducers
      • CAE, Simulation & Modeling
      • Software Engineering & SDVs
      • Tire Testing
  • Features
  • Online Magazines
    • March 2025
    • November 2024
    • September 2024
    • June 2024
    • Crash Test Technology – 2023
    • Automotive Testing Technology
    • Subscribe to Automotive Testing
    • Crash Test Technology
    • Subscribe to Crash Test Technology
  • Opinion
  • Awards
    • About
    • What’s new and key dates
    • Eligibility and nomination
    • Get in touch
    • Judges
    • Winner interviews
  • Videos
  • Supplier Spotlight
  • Proving Grounds
  • Events
LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter)
  • Automotive Interiors
  • Automotive Powertrain
  • ADAS & Autonomous Vehicle
  • Professional Motorsport
  • Tire Technology
  • Media Pack
LinkedIn
Subscribe
Automotive Testing Technology International
  • News
      • ADAS & CAVs
      • Aerodynamics
      • Appointments, Partnerships, Investments & Acquisitions
      • Automotive Testing Expo
      • Batteries & Powertrain Testing
      • Component Testing
      • Safety and crash testing
      • Dynamometers
      • EMC & Electronics Testing
      • Emissions & Fuel Consumption
      • Facilities
      • Full-vehicle Testing
      • Interiors & Infotainment Testing
      • Measurement Tools, Test Systems & Equipment
      • Motorsport
      • NVH & Acoustics
      • Proving Grounds
      • R&D
      • Sensors & Transducers
      • CAE, Simulation & Modeling
      • Software Engineering & SDVs
      • Tire Testing
  • Features
  • Online Magazines
    1. March 2025
    2. November 2024
    3. Crash Test Technology – 2024
    4. September 2024
    5. June 2024
    6. Automotive Testing Technology
    7. Subscribe to Automotive Testing
    8. Crash Test Technology
    9. Subscribe to Crash Test Technology
    Featured
    April 9, 2025

    In this Issue – March 2025

    Automotive Testing Technology By Rachel Evans
    Recent

    In this Issue – March 2025

    April 9, 2025

    In this Issue – November 2024

    November 26, 2024

    In this Issue – 2024

    September 30, 2024
  • Opinion
  • Awards
    • About
    • What’s new and key dates
    • Eligibility and nomination
    • Get in touch
    • Judges
    • Winner interviews
    • ATTI Awards Forum
  • Videos
  • Supplier Spotlight
  • Proving Grounds
  • Events
LinkedIn
Subscribe
Automotive Testing Technology International
ADAS & CAVs

Why we feel the need to abuse self-driving technology

OpinionWritersBy OpinionWritersSeptember 11, 20195 Mins Read
Share LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Email
The partnership between QNX, Vector, and TTTech Auto highlights a shift from the traditional value chain to a collaborative value network.
The partnership between QNX, Vector and TTTech Auto highlights a shift from the traditional value chain to a collaborative value network.

Dr Peter Rossger, founder and owner of human machine interaction (HMI) consultancy Beyond HMI, looks at some of the reasons why drivers feel compelled to abuse self-driving technology

The automation of parts of the driving task is one of the key focal points of the automotive industry today, alongside electrification, connectivity and carsharing. In recent years, the industry has added technology to cars to support the driver in the successful execution of the driving task, all summarized under the banner ‘advanced driver assistance systems’ (ADAS). They support and inform the driver and, in some cases, such as with ABS, they interfere with the driving process. The core driving processes however – steering, standard braking and acceleration – are still under the full control and responsibility of the driver, defined by SAE J3016 as autonomy Level 1.

However, driving has changed recently, and with the combination of an adaptive cruise control and automated lane keeping, the core driving task has become automated… theoretically.

Since there are still certain doubts about the successful performance of these systems, the driver is forced to remain in the control loop. The driver takes the role of captain: the technology performs the task; it’s the human’s job to control it and intervene when something goes wrong. The most complex structure in the universe we know – our brain – is condemned to sit in a seat and wait for the technology to fail. Doesn’t sound too useful.

And it doesn’t work. We all know that our thoughts tend to wander when external stimuli are low. Those of us practicing Buddhist meditation face the monkeys in our brains every day and learn how to control them. For others, two alternatives remain: stimulate your brain or turn it off. This means reading emails, making a call, surfing the internet, or falling asleep. This ends up in the behavior we see on our streets: distracted or drowsy drivers.

Trust is core in the acceptance of technology in general, and in automated driving particularly. This includes both the trust of people outside the vehicle (as to whether or not it will really stop) and of people inside the vehicle.

Here we see two different characteristics come into play: over-trust and under-trust. Under-trust simply leads to the abandonment of the technology. Users don’t apply it because they underestimate its capabilities. Although a car could drive automatically in a certain context, the driver does not turn on the system, but keeps driving manually. This is a critical point as the benefits of the technology will not be used, and safer driving based on a well-designed system will not be applied.

Over-trust, leading to the misuse of technology, indicates, that the trust of the user in the capabilities of the machine is higher than appropriate. That’s the situation when drivers of autonomous cars fall asleep behind the wheel, do not react to system warnings, and just let go of all responsibility, believing that the car will solve the issue. Users have too much belief in the technology and the consequences could be deadly.

As we know, some humans experiment with technology by testing it, challenging it, and bringing it to its limits intentionally. We see them often. They are the curious, the ones that move developments forward and run campaigns for certain solutions, often becoming early adopters. The downside is that this can result in them endangering themselves and others.

Therefore, the solutions we see today on our streets today cannot be the final answer. That the driver needs to rattle the steering wheel every 10-30 seconds makes the rolling robot more annoying than supportive. Beeps, buzzing seats and other stimuli may be more distracting than helpful. And simply trusting that the driver will be wise enough not to challenge the system leads to the accidents we have seen so far.

Systems on SAE Level 2 and 3 offer a sharing of the driving task. Some parts are performed by the machine, some by the human. On Level 2 a constant surveillance by the driver is required, but on Level 3 we allow the driver to move out of the control loop. Both scenarios include different challenges and require different solutions. For Level 2, the mode awareness is key, the communication of who is doing what. Level 3 requires a guided handover procedure from machine to human. The driver needs to build reasonable situational awareness in a short time. For both, HMI solutions are required.

The situation today is not satisfying, but concepts become visible with time. A multimodal solution for the communication between driver and machine is required, with large and clear signals for the doubt-free transfer of information. HMI solutions will eventually be developed that solve these challenges. The driver and their capabilities, wishes, mental models, needs, use cases, and expectations need to be at the core of the development process for autonomous driving technology.

By Dr Peter Rossger, founder and owner, Beyond HMI

Dr Peter Rossger, founder and owner, Beyond HMI

Share. Twitter LinkedIn Facebook Email
Previous ArticleRimac C_Two crash test program
Next Article TomTom showcases self-driving test vehicle
OpinionWriters

Independently submitted opinions from our readers. Share your opinions by sending up to 800 words to rachel.evans@ukimediaevents.com. Only original contributions will be considered and the editor's decision is final.

Related Posts

Active Safety

University of Glasgow develops AR system for real-world testing of cyclist and AV communication

April 16, 20256 Mins Read
Full-vehicle Testing

Transforming automotive time-to-market – Now or never for traditional auto makers

April 10, 20257 Mins Read
ADAS & CAVs

Perforce report reveals shift toward safety and AI in automotive software engineering

April 9, 20253 Mins Read
Latest News

NewtonWorks launches simulation software tools for component testing

April 30, 2025

ATTI Awards Forum 2025: Program announced

April 30, 2025

NEW WEBINAR: Automated image-based measurements in automotive testing applications

April 30, 2025
Free Weekly E-Newsletter

Receive breaking stories and features in your inbox each week, for free


Enter your email address:


Our Social Channels
  • LinkedIn
Getting in Touch
  • Free Weekly E-Newsletter
  • Meet the Editors
  • Contact Us
  • Media Pack
RELATED UKI TITLES
  • Automotive Interiors
  • Automotive Powertrain
  • ADAS & Autonomous Vehicle
  • Professional Motorsport
  • Tire Technology
  • Media Pack
© 2025 UKi Media & Events a division of UKIP Media & Events Ltd
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Notice & Takedown Policy
  • Site FAQs

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.

CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.

Functional

Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.

Performance

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

Analytics

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

Advertisement

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.

Others

Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.

SAVE & ACCEPT