Automation transparency: implications of uncertainty communication for human-automation interaction and interfaces

Abstract

words)Operators of highly automated driving systems may exhibit behaviour characteristic for overtrust issues due to an insufficient awareness of automation fallibility. Consequently, situation awareness in critical situations is reduced and safe driving performance following emergency takeovers is impeded. A driving simulator study was used to assess the impact of dynamically communicating system uncertainties on monitoring, trust, workload, takeovers, and physiological responses. The uncertainty information was conveyed visually using a stylised heart beat combined with a numerical display and users were engaged in a visual search task.Multilevel analysis results suggest that uncertainty communication helps operators calibrate their trust and gain situation awareness prior to critical situations, resulting in safer takeovers.Additionally, eye tracking data indicate that operators can adjust their gaze behaviour in correspondence with the level of uncertainty. However, conveying uncertainties using a visual display significantly increases operator workload and impedes users in the execution of nondriving related tasks. Keywords: vehicle ergonomics; attitudes and behaviour; attention and vigilance; humancomputer-interaction; information displaysPractitioner summary (50 words): This paper illustrates how the communication of system uncertainty information helps operators calibrate their trust in automation and, consequently, gain situation awareness. Multilevel analysis results of a driving simulator study affirm the benefits for trust calibration and highlight that operators adjust their behaviour according to multiple uncertainty levels.

Impact of Agent Reliability and Predictability on Trust in Real Time Human-Agent Collaboration

“…For instance, rather than having a user validate discrete decisions made by an agent, such as whether to give a patient insulin or not [34], the operator needs to actively work with agents to make decisions, such as monitoring and directing autonomous vehicles [5]. Trust represents an important component of any scenario involving collaborative decision-making, as the perceived trustworthiness of an agent will dictate how an user will interact with it [17,26,28,42].…”

Effects of User Interfaces on Take-Over Performance: A Review of the Empirical Evidence

“…In another study, the sensing capabilities of the system and the external hazards were presented on a center console tablet using icons of different colors [37]. When the automation states of the system were provided, take-over times were reduced significantly [21,37] or reduced but not significantly [23]. System feedback improved driver readiness, which supports Ekman's finding of uncertainty in information for transition readiness [43].…”

“…In previous work, the automation system's state was presented with seven levels of capability [21], or the level of uncertainty was indicated as a heart-beat animation with numerical display [23]. In another study, the sensing capabilities of the system and the external hazards were presented on a center console tablet using icons of different colors [37].…”

Does a Confidence Level for Automated Driving Time Estimations Improve the Subjective Evaluation of an Automation HMI?

“…In addition, higher trust ratings and increased acceptance were reported. Another visualization was chosen by Kunze et al [17]. They used a heartbeat concept that also included a numerical display to communicate system uncertainties during Level 3 automated driving and also found positive effects on trust and situation awareness.…”