Understanding drivers’ perspectives on the use of driver monitoring systems during automated driving: Findings from a qualitative focus group study

Abstract

With the introduction of automated driving, drivers can delegate responsibility of the driving task to an automated system. In some situations, however, human intervention may still be necessary. Driver fatigue exacerbated by prolonged automated driving can imperil the safety of transitions of control between automated system and human driver. Driver monitoring systems (DMS) are therefore necessary to assess the driver's mental state in real-time and oversee the safety of automated driving by ensuring that the driver is cognitively ready to take over when necessary. While automated driving and DMS will afford several distinct advantages that can improve the safety and experience of driving, little is known concerning how drivers themselves perceive these technologies. The present study was therefore conducted to examine drivers' perspectives on the use of DMS during automated driving, using a qualitative focus group approach. A reflexive thematic analysis of the data generated five themes. These themes illustrate that drivers perceive DMS within automated driving as a supplemental but non-essential layer of support that comes with considerable costs to their perceived privacy, autonomy, and their enjoyment derived from the experience of driving. Concerns regarding the perceived reliability of DMS were also raised. Recommendations for future empirical and practical work are also provided.