Design Exploration of Robotic In-car Accessories for Semi-autonomous Vehicles

Abstract

This article explores the design of robotic in-car accessories aimed at enhancing the driving experience in semi-autonomous vehicles. Our objective is to empower these artifacts to effectively and pleasantly prepare drivers for handover, thereby strengthening trust between the driver and the vehicle. Our exploration led to the development of robotic rearview mirror ornaments, which utilize movement, voice, and sound effects to provide drivers with supplementary information regarding the likelihood of a handover. This article describes our design journey, encompassing the ideation workshop and exploratory prototyping, and introduces two concepts: Chatty Lips and Turning Trumpet. Our reflection covers lessons learned and areas for improvement while also outlining our plans for future endeavors in this dynamic field.