An Operator Interface for Autonomous Vehicles

Abstract

In this paper, we propose an interface for autonomous vehicles that can build trust between users and computers. Several open-source pieces of software (such as Autoware and Apollo) are widely used for autonomous driving. A few researchers have also tested their algorithms on simulators such as LGSVL. To identify a broader range of problems that would not be possible by means of simulator testing, such as the sudden appearance of pedestrians in front of the autonomous vehicle, bad weather, or roads in poor condition, we attempt to test these algorithms under live conditions. Further, we design an interface for an actual autonomous vehicle. The interface is aimed at quickly tuning the parameters of various algorithms, monitoring the status of the vehicle, and most importantly, notifying the operator, driver, and passengers concerning the drive mode of the vehicle and help develop trust in autonomous vehicles. The interface was designed to provide as much relevant information as possible and enable more accessible communication with the vehicle. Accordingly, this interface can help to improve the safety of autonomous vehicles.