Interaction patterns for cooperative guidance and control: Automation mode transition in highly automated truck convoys

With new technologies in the area of assistance and automation on the market, the dream of driving in automated vehicles becomes reality. While certain research areas predict fully autonomous vehicles in the near future, a more feasible composition still has a driver, at least as a back-up solution, operating the vehicle in certain situations with certain degrees of control, cooperating with the automation. In such complex highly automated human machine systems it is necessary to elucidate responsibilities of automation and human and assert controllability. To do so, a usable interaction design is required to support drivers in their driving tasks while maintaining the necessary controllability. This paper presents the concept of interaction patterns to improve usability and controllability when switching between different modes of automation. An interaction pattern implements image schemas to create intuitive interaction between a human and a computer. A study with highly automated truck convoys was carried out and the usability and controllability when switching between modes was evaluated.