Use of Facial Expressions to Improve the Social Acceptance of Level 4 and 5 Automated Driving System Equipped Vehicles

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than one million people die yearly from car accidents. At the same time, between 20 and 50 million people suffer non-fatal injuries, which can also lead to permanent disabilities. Recently, vehicles equipped with SAE level 3, 4, and 5 Automated Driving System (ADS) have become one of the hottest topics in the automotive industry. In fact, their main expected benefit is that they could significantly reduce the number of road accidents. Their actual success will depend on how people react to their introduction: considering that the absence of the steering wheel and pedals is possible for levels 4 and 5, will people trust these advanced forms of driving automation? In this regard, the authors of this paper have proposed two different ideas. The first, which can be implemented during the proactive phase, consists in calibrating the driving algorithm of the vehicle based on the volunteers' reaction to simulations of common driving situations. The second, which can be implemented during the reactive phase, consists in dynamically adapting the driving style of the vehicle based on the average feeling inside the vehicle. Both of these ideas could help improve social acceptance and facilitate the transition to vehicles equipped with SAE level 4 and 5 ADS.