We are invited to a PostBus press conference in Bern

We have been invited by PostBus to present the results of our studies in autonomous mobility at a press conference in Bern. The studies are being conducted on the Sion Smart Shuttle in partnership with the Mobility Lab.

Detailed research results have been published at: CHI'17 and INTERACT 2017.

CHI'17 article:

Paper title:
On the Road with an Autonomous Passenger Shuttle: Integration in Public Spaces
 
Paper abstract:
The integration of autonomous vehicles (AVs) onto public roads presents both technical and social challenges. Public understanding and acceptance of AVs requires engagement with people who live in, work at or visit cities where they are deployed on public road networks. We investigate the impact of one of the first placements of AV passenger transport on public roadways: the Sion <<SmartShuttle>>. This late- breaking research presents preliminary results from interviews with local shopkeepers, residents, pedestrians and drivers to understand their attitudes and opinions of the shuttle. We also discuss video- based fieldwork that demonstrates how drivers negotiate next moves with one another through their windscreens using embodied signals such as gestures, lip-reading, and head nods to coordinate and manage a traffic situation. Finally, we consider the implications for how fully autonomous vehicles might be designed to take into account the subtle negotiations that road users engage in to coordinate with one another.

Link:
http://publications.hevs.ch/index.php/publications/show/2237
Video:
https://youtu.be/dUte1JRyJig

INTERACT 2017 article:

Paper title:
Expectation and experience: Passenger acceptance of autonomous public transportation vehicles

Paper abstract:
Passenger acceptance is a key factor for the successful integration, uptake and use of autonomous vehicles (AVs) in the domain of public transportation. Especially knowing opinions and attitudes around safety, comfort and convenience. We discuss a pilot study conducted as part of a larger research project where AVs are being tested to transport members of the general public on a specified route with designated stops. We present preliminary findings of fieldwork conducted where people were asked their opinions and attitudes both before and after riding on an AV shuttle as a passenger for the first time. This allows us to compare user expectation beforehand with actual experience after-wards.

Link:
http://publications.hevs.ch/index.php/publications/show/2299