Chemnitz University of Technology (TUC) is the leader of work package 3, responsible for coordinating the evaluations of the developed prototypes in computer simulations, driving simulators and real-road demonstrators. They are conducting a driving simulator study to evaluate the acceptance and usability of the Mediator system and its functions respectively.

Matthias Beggiato (WP3 leader) was interviewed by Pia Lucchesi for the German newspaper “Morgenpost Dresden”; a rough translation of the Q&A:

Q: Which insights do you expect from these tests in the driving simulator?
A: We would like to find out how much time it takes until a user trusts such a system, and we are interested in getting to know their concerns and fears. We are working on the idea of an automated system that interacts with the user and offers driving functions depending on the situation and the state of the driver.

Q: Is it hard to convey the benefits of such a functionality?
A: No. Usually, the user immediately understands the benefits of doing something else while driving, especially in a traffic jam. However, many user do not like to be driven in automated-mode all the time.

Q: Wat reservations are there about this technology?
A: The reservations are very individual. It depends on how sceptical or anxious a person is and, for example, the affinity for technology. Finally, users should be able to decide themselves when to use such systems.

Q: How many years are we away from autonomous driving?
A: This is not an all-or-nothing issue. We will have situations where automation is available. Traffic jams on highways could be scenarios in which vehicle automation will probably be used most.

Below you will find a video as part of the collected dataset in which Matthias stars as volunteer #102 for dissemination purposes :