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About

Bastian Pfleging is a leading researcher at the intersection of human-computer interaction (HCI) and autonomous mobility, with a primary focus on how people interact with automated vehicles and mobile robots in urban environments. His most influential work investigates the critical safety and communication challenges posed by self-driving cars, particularly through external car displays (ECDs) that signal intent to pedestrians. In his highly cited 2019 study (112 citations), Pfleging used virtual reality to demonstrate how ECDs can significantly influence pedestrians’ crossing behavior and decision-making time, laying foundational knowledge for designing trustworthy autonomous vehicle interfaces. Beyond cars, Pfleging has pioneered research into pedestrian-robot interaction on sidewalks, identifying potential conflict zones and designing external user interfaces for mobile delivery robots to ensure safe coexistence in shared spaces. His work, drawing insights from other domains, has shaped the emerging field of automotive user interfaces and human-robot interaction. Pfleging’s contributions are vital for creating intuitive, safe, and socially acceptable autonomous systems, making him a key voice in the future of urban mobility and human-automation interaction.