Designing for Dignity while Driving: Interaction Needs of Blind and Low-Vision Passengers in Fully Automated Vehicles

TL;DR

This study explores the interaction needs of blind and low-vision passengers in fully automated vehicles, emphasizing trust, information delivery, and dignity to inform better inclusive design.

Contribution

It empirically grounds the design for dignity framework in real-world insights from BLV users of FAVs, highlighting specific interaction preferences and needs.

Findings

BLV users initially trust FAVs but need layered information to build trust.

Voice modality is preferred over haptics for BLV passengers.

Respectful, dignity-preserving interaction design is crucial for FAVs.

Abstract

Fully automated vehicles (FAVs) hold promise for enhancing the mobility of blind and low-vision (BLV) individuals. To understand the situated interaction needs of BLV passengers, we conducted six on-road, and in-lab focus groups with 16 participants, immersing them in real-world driving conditions. Our thematic analysis reveals that BLV participants express a high initial 'faith' in FAVs, but require layered, value-sensitive information during the ride to cultivate trust. The participants' modality preference for voice suggests re-evaluating the role of haptics for BLV users in FAVs. Our findings show the importance of a respectful interaction design in FAVs that both address BLV users' mobility challenges and uphold their dignity. While others have advocated for a dignity lens, our contribution lies in grounding this framework in empirical findings and unpacking what it means to design for dignity in the context of FAVs.