Phase II : Define
Autonowashing
Autonowashing - defined as over exaggerated claims about technology capabilities which misrepresent the level of human intervention or supervision required on a semi-automated vehicle, system or technology. This literature source was referenced with its relevance to my previous research where autonomous vehicle terminolgy used currently was questioned and how it leads to misuse, in reference to the reading the can lead to diminishing returns on investment in the autonomous technology and cause distrust.
Fig.1 Autonowashing and Trust Graph. Dixon, L. (2020). Autonowashing: The Greenwashing of Vehicle Automation. Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives, 5. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.TRIP.2020.100113
Fig. 2 Effect of Autonowashing Dixon, L. (2020). Autonowashing: The Greenwashing of Vehicle Automation. Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives, 5. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.TRIP.2020.100113
Mindmap
Mind map of research categorised into 4 bubbles having their own built clusters of literature, insights and primary/secondary discoveries. Once clustered, was later used to create direct and indired connection within each bubble. The 4 key categories at this stage were - Safety, Understanding, Society and Use.
Process
Waymo Safety Report + Audio/Video Observation
The Waymo case study was developed in relation to the information published by Waymo in its Safety Report 2021 towards deploying autonomous vehicles in Arizona which covers vehicles safety features, functioning, testing and backup controls. The report document was analysed in comparison to actual user video logs and media coverage as to find gaps and insights within the current use case and interaction with Waymo one for different user groups.
Safety Report
Safety report published by Waymo in 2021 was analysed in regards to the research question to categorise efforts made by the company to address safety and trust for the vehicle. The identified and listed features of the vehicle are placed in different tables below which were considered helpful in comparing and contrasting the vehicle use via user ride videos. Information was split between vehicle safety area, software understanding and vehicle backup in case of system failure. This information later helped map out vehicle functions in the scenario maps when listing positive and negative touchpoints.
Waymo Observation Archive
Spreadsheet Link: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1NkFdvoBikO-6pCXhxLoL0sLw7DNdjT0IHVW2LKOPlwM/edit#gid=0
Waymo User Video Analysis (Affinity Map)
Mapped based on video observation (What is visually observed within vehicle environment inside and outside both.) and audio observation (What the user is narrating or expressing while inside an AV) Key Observation and opportunities were also mapped at this stage.
Waymo User Video - Notes
Open App → put in drop location → Pick up point → Normal entry → Vehicle greets → Push button start ride → Journey begins → Journey mapping via
digital screen → Pull over feature (Push button)
Physical Observations
1. Microphones on top. (To listen to sirens and give way)
2. Help button, lock/unlock button, pull over and start ride button
General Overview
- Similar cost to services offered by uber/lyft etc
- Wait time in the region also similar to human driven cab services.
- No indicator sound for the user; user gets not feedback when the vehicles going to turn
User 01 (late 20s - Early 30s)
- Standard opening door and sit down
- Car greets the user by his/her name → Suggests the user what do next to start their journey
- Screens at the back of front seats → User needs to press “Start ride” to begin journey.
- Vehicle tells the user via audio where its headed and instructions to securely lock in seat belt
- Screen in front indicates what the car is seeing and how fast its going and long it will take to reach its destination.
- Vehicle can be pull over tapping “Pull over” button on the touch screen.
User 02 (Environmentalist and technologist)
- Each Waymo can cost around 400,000 dollars alone including all its tech according analysts.
- Defensive driver (Not going to move if it keeps detecting vehicles even if they give way)
- Choose pick up stop in app connectivity
- Route changes done by the computer, can’t communicate back as no one in front seat if you had a different preferred route.
- Route changes in case Waymo does not feel comfortable driving in a region to get the car back on a safely computed route.
- Team of remote employees watching real time feeds from the car, can help in situation where car system fails.
User 03 (mid 30s)
- camera over backseat which records its users and their behavior.
- Nerve racking experience being driven by a computer for the first time.
- Shows real time traffic on the screen.
- Rough on breaks and some turns sometimes.
- 5-10 car fleet
- Vehicle indicates when it almost out of gas, and then a Waymo official needs to fill up the tank.
- Avoid routes which can’t be taken, leading to extra added time to journey due to safety purposes.
- Pedestrian when giving gesture for car to move/pass, no response was recorded by the car nor any feedback was given back to the
environment or pedestrians.
User 04
Been in an accident previously and don’t like driving too much anymore hence chose to use the Waymo Ride Hailing service
Persona 01
Insights - Bryan Bashin | Lighthouse Foundation)
- Rides maybe less expensive as no human in there.
- “As a blind person myself, I can’t independently get into a car and drive”
- No covid exposure.
- Possibility of discrimination against use of guide dogs. Avs will not have that discrimination anyone gets in the vehicle.
- Deeper social equity - as visually impaired just want to get from point A to point B without asking for help; be independent.
- Bridging not getting in a car with a stranger with development of AV services. (Safety factor)
- Things that a driver used to do needs to be thought of - how technology provides the same or even more. (Design Challenge!!!)
Interaction/Systems:-
1. Drop off at point A. (Where at Point A)
2. Where is the front door and how do I tell the vehicle me to get me to the front door.
3. Using GPS, there is one address for 30 different stores.
4. Get out of the vehicle - who will tell me (Like the driver used to) e.g. - the stairs are about “30 feet over there to your left.”
5. A blind person changes their mind and wants to add stop, how do you communicate that with the vehicle.
6. How do you communicate with the vehicle to wait and I will pick something I forgot and be right back. (Duration -
Communication - Understanding)
7. How do I find this vehicle, when there are 100 of vehicles stretched out on the street.
Physical/Ergonomic Things towards the vehicle:-
1. Would the design allow me to open the trunk of the vehicle myself.
2. How do I adjust the heater and air conditioning within the vehicle.
3. “I can’t work the radio in my current 4 runner.”
4. “Suddenly lock or unlock the doors within the compartment” (App? Direct touchpoint features?)
5. How do I put on emergency blinker?
6. “Blind people generally want to be active in this process” (Process of controlling the vehicle and its features.)
7. “Don’t want to be passive” x “We want to be doing everything sighted people do”
Persona 02
Autonomous Vehicle (Info taken from Waymo Report and Video/audio observations)
Persona 03
Daphne Green (Interview and conversation - based on Lily McDonald)
Observations
Persona 01
Based on video interview and other sources mapped out in Waymo Observation Archive.
Persona 02
Based on previous and new information gathered on Waymo One.
Persona 03
Based on conversation driven interview
Ride Hailing Services
As Waymo One currently aims to eliminate the driver with a computer for a safer ride-hailing service - Current ride-hailing services were further explored via literature to draw out benefits and drawbacks which can be applied to Persona 02 Autonomous Vehicle when mapping the Scenario and Journey.
Current Ride Hailing Statistics
Ref: Ward, J. W., Michalek, J. J., & Samaras, C. (2021). Air Pollution, Greenhouse Gas, and Traffic Externality Benefits and Costs of Shifting Private Vehicle Travel to Ridesourcing Services. Cite This: Environ. Sci. Technol, 55, 13174–13185. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.1c01641
Scenario Map 01
Scenario Map 02
Problem Statement
How might we design for productive and universal application of autonomous vehicle technology?
Productive - Questioning how replacing human control with AI benefit/damage mobility in different scenarios
Universal Application - Built for all
Opportunity 01
Concept 01
Guidance drone for ride finding and directing people towards entrances when getting off the vehicle. Potentially, could also be used as drop-offs and pick-ups for door-to-door delivery of goods.
Opportunity 02
Concept 02
Opposite Seating allows the user to have privacy while utilising most of the space to incorporate multiple passengers. Moving line helps with the entry of new passengers and allocates in place when ready. Potentially, can include empty sections for wheelchair users.
Opportunity 03
Concept 03
Box design is the chosen direction for vehicle design for this project as it offers plenty of room to integrate a larger entrance which can facilitate wheelchair access. Further allows multiple entries at once while giving an opportunity to utilise space for “privacy” driven designs.
Further Ideation
Some general ideation towards exterior was driven by a defined body configuration i.e. 1 box in this case. (Engine, Passenger and Cargo within one volume. Although, the overall design of the exterior is not yet defined as I want the opportunities to define and shape this vehicle as I go. Hence, most of the sketches are explored a a potential direction as this point but yet visualise what forms I will be exploring further.
Further Opportunities
