Guidance to autonomous vehicles for the blind, deaf, and deaf blind
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | RISE Research Institutes of Sweden AB - RISE Viktoria, Göteborg |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 928 314 |
| Project duration | January 2019 - May 2021 |
| Status | Completed |
| Venture | Strategic Innovation Program Drive Sweden |
Purpose and goal
The purpose of the project is to study the preconditions for persons with deafness, blindness and deaf-blindness to travel on their own in autonomous vehicles and autonomous public transport for increased freedom and quality of life. The goal is to identify needs for independent travel and to test guidance technology prototypes in different parts of a trip (before, during and after), and assess how prototypes for guidance technology can support complete trips in vehicles without the presence of a driver or companion.
Expected results and effects
The project has shown that vibrotactile guidance can give possibility for improving orientation when locating a vehicle, receiving information along the way, and when reaching the destination, aspects that are important for independent travel. Design considerations for future guidance solutions have been developed based on user needs. The prototypes used one way communication, the studies point out the desire to also control the vehicle and trip. Future steps include exploring how the users can communicate with, and control vehicles that do not have a driver.
Planned approach and implementation
Five user studies were performed in the project: Study 1: Expert review of autonomous pods in Stockholm and Gothenburg Study 2: Usability testing of autonomous pods in Gothenburg Study 3: Interview study with drivers and passengers Study 4: Field testing of guidance technology using WOZ Study 5: Online testing of travel aid using audially simulated trip The studies have focused on the user needs of persons with deafness, blindness and deaf-blindness before, during and after a trip with autonomous vehicles.