Overview

This chapter brings together several topics that have in common the driver but are otherwise somewhat divergent. First, there is the driver as customer what are their perceptions of ADAS, and their acceptance or interest in the systems based on those perceptions? Then there is the driver as system operator what is the nature of driving and how might human and machine work together most effectively? Finally, there is the driver as a key, and fallible, player in the road-vehicle-driver triad how can drowsy or distracted drivers be detected by vehicle systems, and what countermeasures can be applied to maintain safety?

The human factors issues that are invoked by these topics involve in-depth expertise, complex questions, and detailed research beyond the scope of this book; instead, the intent here is simply to introduce the reader to the issues.

Although there has been some outcry that the role of the driver is not adequately addressed when it comes to IV systems, in reality these systems are inherently human-centered. They must be, because of the commercial nature of most vehicle sales. Cars are a consumer product; customers must be satisfied for a product to be successful. Poor design and product debacles must be avoided at all costs because the company s brand is at stake. In fact, this imperative creates such a high standard that significant time is added to the product development process before introduction specifically to address user issues. As noted in [1], Future active safety systems will need to be transparent to...