First Step into Visceral Interaction with Autonomous Vehicles

Autonomous vehicles (AVs) seem to be the next big step into the future of mobility solutions. Various research institutions in the automobile industry and academic sectors are striving to come out with the most futuristic concept. This paper focuses on the interaction between AVs and pedestrians. Furthermore, the paper aims to explore if complex communication needs can be signaled to pedestrians through motion behavior of the vehicle. In order to learn how other road users feel surrounded by self-driving cars, participants were confronted with different drivability of a self-programmed vehicle during our evaluation. As the results show, the vehicle's motion behavior is able to evoke certain emotions, which in turn lead to rational decisions within the participants. This can be seen as a form of mutual communication.