COMMENT: Highway pilots bring safety to the car, and uncertainty to the cockpit

While semi-autonomous highway pilot systems on the market are admittedly in their infancy, OEMs cannot be afforded the same luxury that smartphone developers may have with sudden changes to the user experience (UX). The recently launched iPhone X was criticised by some for an unfamiliar UX, with suggestions it had become over-complicated. For the smartphone user, this is little more than an inconvenience, but apply the same principle to vehicle highway pilot software and the situation is grave: if drivers struggle to use the technology, how can it deliver the benefits it is designed to offer? Insurers have spoken of a need to ensure that drivers are aware of a given system’s capabilities, and possibly more importantly, limitations. The 2017 Volvo XC60, for example, is available with Pilot Assist II technology, which can control steering, braking and acceleration in certain scenarios. Activating Pilot Assist in the XC60 is a simple task, and to limit chances of driver distraction there are minimal notifications about its state of operation. However, this also creates uncertainty as to whether the system is engaged, about to engage, or unable to operate. While semi-autonomous highway pilot systems on the market are admittedly in their infancy, OEMs cannot be afforded the same luxury that smartphone developers may have with sudden changes to the user experience The first generation of Pilot Assist allowed for hands off, feet off, eyes-on-the road driving, at speeds of up to 30mph (48kph). In the second generation, the system can be activated at speeds of up to 80mph. This significantly expands the number of opportunities in which the system can be used, but also the potential for driver uncertainty. Importantly, Volvo has stressed that Pilot Assist does not make the vehicle ‘autonomous’, and is simply an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS). As such, it should not be relied on for all driving tasks. To ensure this requirement is adhered to, drivers are audibly prompted roughly every ten seconds to grip the steering wheel. A small icon on the digital display also provides an indication of system status: green for activated, orange for ‘in progress’, or grey if Pilot Assist is unavailable due to current road conditions. For sub-30mph driving with Pilot Assist I, this works to good effect and requires little more than a glance at the dials while in slow-moving traffic. But with Pilot Assist II, drivers could be travelling at nearly three times the maximum speed of the first-generation system, and there is no clear indication of whether it is about to deactivate, such as when approaching a tight bend. The fact that the system often disengages without warning also does not help to build trust in the system’s ability. If country roads and snaking highways are to be safely navigated by the computer, there should be clear indication to the driver that human intervention may be needed – before it is too late. Misuse and misunderstanding of semi-autonomous driving systems have already been linked to the death of one Tesla driver, along with various incidents of vehicles veering off roads and crashing. But Volvo is not the only OEM making significant strides in autonomous driving technology; Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Daimler and Nissan too are all heavily invested in such systems and to date have made various intentions to eventually launch fully autonomous systems. In September, Audi revealed its Level 3 autonomous highway pilot, which can control the vehicle within lane markings at speeds of up to 37mph, but without the requirement for continuous driver monitoring. The driver must, however, remain alert and be ready to take over if prompted to do so. Just like many other forms of consumer electronics, a single software update can transform what was once a familiar piece of hardware to a foreign experience The 2018 Cadillac CT6 luxury sedan will be fitted with the OEM’s Super Cruise technology that provides a similar function at highway speeds. A wide illuminated green bar at the top of the steering wheel, directly in the driver’s line of sight, displays system status. When the system is reengaging, such as after a human-operated overtake manoeuvre, the bar flashes blue before returning to green. This may not appear to be a significant step up from existing systems such as Volvo’s Pilot Assist, but alerting the driver to the fact that a human may need to take over eliminates the uncertainty of ‘who’ is in control: the car, or the driver. Many of the issues surrounding usability of such pilot systems may come down to driver education, be it at the dealership or directly from the infotainment screen. But just like many other forms of consumer electronics, a single software update can transform what was once a familiar piece of hardware to a foreign experience. For the automotive industry, the challenge will lie in ensuring pilot systems are black and white in their intentions, and ultimately, it is vital that an injection of active safety technology does not result in driver uncertainty. Freddie Holmes is a correspondent at Automotive World The AutomotiveWorld.com Comment column is open to automotive industry decision makers and influencers. If you would like to contribute a Comment article, please contact editorial@automotiveworld.com

COMMENT: Highway pilots bring safety to the car, and uncertainty to the cockpit

Driver assistance technology must do just that – potential ambiguity in driver-vehicle communication could lead to potential disaster on the road. By Freddie Holmes

M:bility | Magazine – coming soon

PSA Group model plans and production outlook to 2022

Special report: The ASEAN auto industry

The world’s car manufacturers – 2018 / 21st edition

Assessing augmented reality content with virtual reality

M:bility | Detroit

M:bility | Europe

M:bility | California

M:bility | India

Monthly Briefing – July 2018

M:bility | Detroit

Grasp the future of mobility

12-13 March 2019
Dearborn, Michigan

M:bility | Europe

Grasp the future of mobility

9-10 July 2019
Stuttgart, Germany

M:bility | California

Grasp the future of mobility

17-18 September 2019
Santa Clara, CA

M:bility | India

Grasp the future of mobility

26-27 November 2019
Pune, India

It’s time to log in (or subscribe).

Not a member? Subscribe now and let us help you understand the future of mobility.

Single-User Site License

Team Site License

Enterprise Site License

Email Alerts

Related Content

Log In

Single-User
Site License

Team
Site License

Enterprise
Site License