Intent, capability and interaction.
Firstly let me thank you for An excellent and thought provoking article. The Use of VR to simulate, the use of signals (e.g. Reversing the traffic signal from the road to the car communicating with the pedestrian was superb) etc were excellent ideas. Just loved the article.
The real world is never as tidy, perfect, simple and organised as our labs.
The big thing is the whole issue of interaction and both parties understanding intent and capability.
When we cross a road, both parties go through a process of assessing and communication and we deal with a number of “wild” problems.
It’s kind of an Ubunto greeting…
when two men meet cross paths in a rural area, there’s a moment of anxiety if they come from people who’ve been at war with each other, but then it passes, as they place their trust and self in their greeting to each other, and the big smile they give each other: the first one says, “I see you.” And the other one answers, “I am here.” and they are speaking their belief that a person is a person only because others recognize him – only because of our connectedness, are we people. So one acknowledges the other, and strengthens the connectedness by saying “I see you.” I recognize you, I am me because of my connection to everything, or everyone.
Acknowledgements to Elissa Heyman.
For example in Ireland if you go to some roads like Capel Street, there is a daily game of “chicken” on the road between the driver and pedestrians. Who will stop and give way. Road signs and jaywalking laws are of no concern to pedestrians. One gives way to one then a whole crowd follows suit and traffic is reduced to a standstill.
I can just imagine a similar scenario at a busy crowded traffic intersection in Tokyo……
If users think there is a high probability that an automated car will give way then they will step into the middle of the road.
Similarly, on the weekends, you have inebriated-drunk pedestrians whose judgement, self control i.e. Capability, Intent and interactivity/communication skills are compromised and will just cross the road when and where they see fit.
It is in the “wild” and real world scenarios that autonomous cars will have to work in.
I can visualise how much easier autonomous cars can find structured pedestrian free environments such as motorways but busy town streets are a much more complicated world. It is not just cars that need to adapt to the user, it’s a two sided interaction.
Pedestrians will need to learn and adapt to autonomous cars also and these ideas will take time to socialise and for people to adapt.
It would be great if you could extend your scenarios and simulations to some of these more complex scenarios.
I look forward to reading more and get other contributors thoughts.