Assessing Variable Levels of Delegated Control – A Novel Measure of Trust

Using Fnirs to Verify Trust in Highly Automated Driving

“…Such self-reported distrust was supported by unique variations in the right orbitofrontal (i.e., BA10-R) for the LC group. This finding within the LC group was consistent among all three chromophores in two different driving scenarios (i.e., suburbs and city centre), thus suggesting the right orbitofrontal might be involved in assessing the driving context to calibrate trust, as suggested in previous work [12], [18]. That being the case, this would indicate incremented monitoring towards the changes in the driving environment for distrusting participants.…”

“…These findings are likely indicative of the greater engagement in the driving task resulting from the distrust among the LC group. Indeed, [18] also found that increased HbO in the VLPC (including BA44) could be implicated in the development of distrust because of poor decision-making, as earlier noted by [7]. This area has also been associated with suspicion during computer malfunctions [14], deliberate deception -lying- [72], frustration during automated driving [73], and even a predictor of emotional valence levels in a previous fNIRS study [74].…”

“…Similarly, results from Palmer et al also found that the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (VLPC) (BAs 44, 45, 47) could be implicated in the development of distrust due to poor decision making [18]. The VLPC is very proximal to the insular cortex, an area triggered by intense emotions such as fear, the anticipation of losses and distrust [6].…”

“…Cortical haemodynamic concentrations were also in favour of our hypothesis. Increased oxygenated haemoglobin (HbO) concentrations in the orbitofrontal cortex (i.e., BA10 right) have been associated with the uncertainty of judging the credibility of an uncrewed vehicle [18]; as well as during unreliable conditions of human-robot collaboration [12]. The orbitofrontal and anterior cingulate cortex have been found to play a critical role in intentional engagement [6].…”

“…The VLPC is very proximal to the insular cortex, an area triggered by intense emotions such as fear, the anticipation of losses and distrust [6]. Palmer and colleagues discuss the application of their findings with trust in automated vehicles [18], but their study used a military task context and should be interpreted cautiously concerning its transferability to highly automated driving (HAD, i.e., SAE levels 3-4).…”