Assessment and Support of Error Recognition in Automated Driving: when the Machine Fails

Technical progress in the field of automated driving research is about to alter the way of driving from manual control toward supervision of automated control. The increasing dissemination of advanced driver assistance systems brings more and more people into contact with (semi-)automated systems that do not only warn against certain dangers and intervene if necessary, but are also able to take over parts of the driving task. Automated vehicles have the potential to increase traffic safety, efficiency and to reduce the driver?s workload. This requires systems working with absolute perfection that sense and interpret the environment correctly at any time and transform this information into adequate actions. However, such systems are not yet available today. Therefore it is necessary that the driver supervises automated vehicle control systems in order to be able to recognize automation errors and to intervene. Even if there is still a long way to go, it is worth taking a look at the ramifications an automated driving task implies.