Understanding Automation Surprise in Non-Critical Highly Automated Driving: An Initial On-Road Probing Study

As automated vehicles advance towards higher levels of automation, users are increasingly engaged in non-driving related activities, diverting their attention from the road and the vehicle’s operations. Even in non-critical conditions where automated driving is routine and uninterrupted, users may experience automation surprise (AS) when they fail to anticipate the vehicle’s behaviour, potentially impacting their comfort and acceptance of automated vehicles. To explore AS in non-critical automated driving scenarios from an experiential perspective beyond safety considerations, we conducted a pilot study using a qualitative analysis approach, on-road probing and the think-aloud method. Initial findings indicate an expanded understanding of AS, which can arise in non-critical conditions, accompanied by cognitive and emotional responses. Future research aims to validate and refine the expanded definition through a more comprehensive study and inform the development of effective AS mitigation strategies to improve the general user experience.