How will it be possible to increase the trust of end users in (conditionally) automated vehicles? How should these “TrustVehicles” behave and interact with users? These are, amongst others, the topics in the new book “Enhanced Trustworthiness and End User Acceptance of Conditionally Automated Vehicles in the Transition Period”, edited by Daniel Watzenig and Lisa-Marie Schicker. A key factor for the introduction of (conditionally) automated vehicles is a high level of trust in and acceptance of these vehicles by the end-user. To bring such so-called TrustVehicles on the road, the end-users and their expectations have to be strongly taken into consideration by, for instance, developing driver interfaces as well as reliable and robust automated driving controllers.

The successful H2020 project “TrustVehicle”, which was coordinated by VIRTUAL VEHICLE, has provided decisive impetus. The vision of TrustVehicle was to advance level 3 and level 4 automated driving functions in normal operation and especially in critical situations in mixed traffic scenarios and even under harsh weather conditions. Key results have been internationally recognized, such as driver face monitoring and identification, sensor monitoring and self-cleaning sensors as well as a heavy truck-trailer reverse parking feature. To bring these so-called TrustVehicles on the road, the end-users and their expectations have to be strongly taken into consideration by, for instance, developing driver interfaces as well as reliable and robust automated driving controllers. The new book provides findings and suggestions regarding the involvement of the end user in the development process of conditionally automated vehicles – it was published by Springer Verlag and can be ordered here.

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