As the global discourse surrounding assisted and automated vehicles (AVs) progresses, the MIT Advanced Vehicle Technology (AVT) Consortium is at the forefront, conducting innovative research to understand driver interactions with emerging vehicle technologies.
Founded in 2015, the AVT Consortium represents a global partnership between academia and industry, dedicated to building a data-driven understanding of how consumers respond to advanced vehicle technologies. Through extensive research, the consortium has created unparalleled datasets that reveal diverse consumer attitudes and driving behaviors, thereby illuminating how technology impacts real-world travel. This vital research is instrumental in transforming the future of transportation.
“Cultivating public trust in AI is crucial for the future of assisted and automated vehicles,” states Bryan Reimer, founder of the AVT Consortium and research engineer at the MIT AgeLab within the MIT Center for Transportation and Logistics (CTL). “Without trust, the potential for technology adoption is limited and may eventually stall. Our mission is to bridge this gap by analyzing driver behavior and converting these insights into secure, user-friendly systems that promote safe, convenient, and sustainable mobility.”
Insights from the J.D. Power Mobility Confidence Index Study
A recent Mobility Confidence Index Study, conducted with J.D. Power, shows a slight uptick in public readiness for autonomous vehicles following a two-year decline. While this trend is promising for the broader acceptance of AV technologies, it is just one facet of the ongoing research efforts at the AVT Consortium, now co-directed by Reimer, Bruce Mehler, and Pnina Gershon. This study investigates consumer attitudes towards AVs, revealing a growing interest in the technology, though consumer perception is only part of the intricate puzzle that the AVT researchers are unraveling.
“The modest increase in AV readiness is encouraging,” observes Reimer. “However, fostering enduring trust necessitates a deeper exploration of how drivers interact with these systems in practice. Trust is not solely based on interest; it hinges on creating a reliable and comprehensible user experience that people feel secure engaging with over time.”
Developing a Data-Driven Understanding of Driver Behavior
The AVT Consortium’s research methodology involves compiling extensive real-world data on driver interactions across varying age groups, experience levels, and vehicle types. This repository constitutes one of the largest datasets in the field, allowing researchers to scrutinize system performance, driving habits, and attitudes towards assistive and automated technologies. AVT findings aim to evaluate and contrast the benefits of different manufacturers’ implementations of these technologies. The AVT research vision is that distilling the valuable attributes from various systems will streamline the evolution of new designs.
“The AVT Consortium’s work demonstrates MIT’s commitment to comprehending the human aspects of technology,” remarks Yossi Sheffi, director of the CTL. “By thoroughly examining driver behavior and perceptions towards assistive and automated systems, the AVT Consortium is setting the stage for a future where these technologies are both trustworthy and widely accepted. This research is critical for crafting a transportation landscape that prioritizes safety, efficiency, and adaptability to genuine human needs.”
The AVT Consortium’s findings have proven essential in guiding vehicle design to cater to real-world driver needs. By analyzing how drivers respond to these technologies, the consortium ensures that AI systems are perceived as trustworthy and intuitive, addressing driver concerns and bolstering confidence in these innovations.
“Our focus extends beyond simply gauging whether individuals are receptive to assistive and automated vehicle technologies,” Reimer adds. “We are investigating how they utilize these technologies, the challenges they face, and how we can enhance design to make these systems safer and more intuitive for all users.”
An Interdisciplinary Approach to Vehicle Technology
The AVT Consortium transcends a mere research initiative; it fosters a community uniting academic researchers, industry stakeholders, and consumer organizations. By collaborating with participants across the automotive, technology, and insurance sectors, the AVT team addresses the comprehensive challenges and opportunities presented by emerging vehicle technologies, ensuring a multi-dimensional, practical approach to the rapidly changing mobility landscape. This interdisciplinary framework is vital for understanding how AI-driven systems can further support humanity beyond just vehicle operation.
“As vehicle technologies adapt and evolve, understanding how they relate to the daily experiences of drivers, regardless of age, is essential,” remarks Joe Coughlin, director of the MIT AgeLab. “The AVT Consortium’s focus on both data analysis and human-centered insights demonstrates a strong commitment to developing mobility systems that genuinely serve people. The AgeLab proudly backs this initiative, which is pivotal in creating future vehicle systems that are intuitive, safe, and empowering for all.”
“The future of mobility depends on our ability to construct systems that drivers can trust and feel comfortable using,” Reimer concludes. “At AVT, our goal is to not only cultivate a data-driven understanding of how drivers across demographics engage with various vehicle technologies but also to provide actionable insights into consumer attitudes that can enhance safety and usability.”
Shaping the Future of Mobility
As assisted and automated vehicles proliferate on our roadways, the AVT Consortium’s ongoing work will be crucial in defining the trajectory of transportation. By emphasizing data-driven insights and human-centered design, the AVT Consortium is laying the groundwork for a safer, smarter, and more trustworthy mobility future.
The MIT Center for Transportation and Logistics (CTL) is a global leader in supply chain management research and education, leveraging over five decades of expertise. The center’s work encompasses industry partnerships, pioneering research, and the advancement of sustainable supply chain practices.
Photo credit & article inspired by: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
