Caterina Calefato

Moving attention from the road: A new methodology for the driver distraction evaluation using machine learning approaches

This work describes an approach to develop a model of drivers distraction induced by an on-board information system basing on vehicle data. Machine learning techniques have been adopted to find the model able to better predict distraction, given a target value. Results pointed in favor of a model obtained with the ANFIS (Adaptive Neuro Fuzzy Inference System) technique. Further investigations will be carried out by porting the model on real car.

Vehicle towards vehicle: Current status and beyond on research about adaptive and cooperative vehicles and their smart behaviors

This paper aims to examine the literature about the topic of adaptive and cooperative vehicles, as well as their related intelligent behaviours, investigating a specific case study. Shortly we can state that general purposes of collaborative vehicles are human safety, reduction of traffic congestions and of pollution, improvement of driving performance. Thanks to the literature review, this paper shows the main applications of the research in collaborative vehicles and intelligent driving agents, highlighting pros & cons of using driving agents to improve road safety or to study traffic flows with simulators.

The Adaptive Automation Design

During last years Adaptive Automation (AA) has received considerable attention in the academic community, in labs, in technology companies, because of the large use of automation in several domains (e.g. aviation; manufacturing; medicine; road, rail, and maritime transportation). AA is a potential solution to the problems associated with humanautomation interaction, regardless of the complexity of the application domain. The adaptive automation concept was firstly proposed about 30 years ago (Rouse, 1976), but technology has provided the empirical evidence of its effectiveness in more recent times. Several studies have shown that adaptive systems can regulate operator workload and enhance performance while preserving the benefits of automation (Hilburn et al., 1997; Kaber & Endsley, 2004; Moray et al., 2000; Prinzel et al., 2003). Still, inappropriate design of adaptive systems may even bring to a worse performance than full manual systems (Parasuraman et al., 1999). Therefore, methods and skills for designing adaptive automation systems should be fully mastered, before taking the implementation step. Before analyzing the concept and impact of adaptation features, the meaning and definition of automation should be defined, in order to stress how human characteristics and limitations influence the use (or misuse) of automation Andy Clark (2003) successfully tried to summarize the technological relationship between human and automated system: “humans have always been adept at dovetailing our minds and skills to the shape of our current tools and aids. But when those tools and aids start dovetailing back – when our technologies actively, automatically, and continually tailor themselves to us just as we do to them – then the line between tool and human becomes flimsy indeed”. Several researchers tried to define what adaptive automation is, using different and complementary concepts. In order to achieve a complete, if it is possible, definition of adaptive automation, it is needed to analyse the definition and the implication of automation itself. AA aims at optimizing the cooperation and at efficiently allocating labor between an automated system and its human users (Kay, 2006) and it can be considered as an

Wikipedia as an example of positive technology: How to promote knowledge sharing and collaboration with a persuasive tutorial

This paper proposes an improved redesign of Wikipedia Tutorial following Foggs persuasive concept. Wikipedia international project aims at being the biggest online and free encyclopedia. It can be considered a persuasive tool which tries to motivate people to collaborate for the development of a shared knowledge corpus, following a specific policy of behavior.

Context-Dependent Force-Feedback Steering Wheel to Enhance Drivers' On-Road Performances

In this paper the topic of the augmented cognition applied to the driving task, and specifically to the steering maneuver, is discussed. We analyze how the presence of haptic feedback on the steering wheel could help drivers to perform a visually-guided task by providing relevant information like vehicle speed and trajectory. Starting from these considerations, a Context-Dependant Steering Wheel force feedback (CDSW) had been developed, able to provide to the driver the most suitable feeling of the vehicle dynamics according to the driven context. With a driving simulator the CSWD software had been tested twice and then compared with a traditional steering wheel.

Designing a Control and Visualization System for Off-Highway Machinery According to the Adaptive Automation Paradigm

This paper aims at describing the requirements of an off-highway human-machine system able to recognize potential risky situations and consequently prevent them. The developed methodology is based on two techniques derived from the field of human factors studies, namely the Hierarchical Task Analysis (HTA) and the Function Allocation (FA), which have been integrated and revised to suit the specific domain of off-highway machinery. The paradigms of adaptive automation and persuasive technology will be followed in the design process. After the off-highway domain analysis a system aiming at improving operator and machine safety is presented. The information system extends the human intelligence monitoring the stability of the machine.

Seeing the self in the washing machine: the deep affordance of 2.0 philosophy in the household appliance domain

The acceleration of rhythm of everyday life requires efficiency and flexibility in daily routines. The real expectations and needs of people concerning intelligent home devices should be carefully researched. The project Moon 2.0 by Indesit Company presents alternative ways of producing household appliance services developing a 2.0 Human Machine Interface and programs setting unit for washing machines, totally manageable by smart phones or I-Phones. Users cannot explicitly control washing machines when they would like to use a feature combination that has not application in a current washing program. The application of the Web 2.0 philosophy to the washing machine let the user the possibility to directly control all the existing features of the washing programs and to decide time by time how many programs their machine should have, with regards to the transparency and interactivity concepts of the ambient intelligence. Moon 2.0 should not be confused with an hand held personal home assistant capable of controlling a wide range of electronic home devices. The smart phone behaves the intelligence of the washing machine and offers the user endless customisation possibilities.

Mind the Map: The Role of Shared Awareness in Effective User-Centered Design

This paper is focused on the importance of collaboration during the parallel phases of a design process. A User Centered Design (UCD) chain is usually led jointly by interaction designers and software developers teams. In order to make this chain efficient and effective, both teams must share a common view of the project, allowing to keep parallel processes, aware of each other’s needs and aims. A study is reported here, aimed at pointing out stages and features that can reinforce and improve the effectiveness of groups of designers coming from different backgrounds at work. The objective was to apply UCD in a critical way, in order to give to some concepts a more precise meaning and to increase its power.