Naomi Y. Mbelekani

Advanced technology systems and neuroelectronics for crash risk assessment and anticipation may be a promising field for advancing responsible automated driving on urban roads. In principle, there are prospects of an artificially intelligent (AI)-powered automated vehicle (AV) system that tracks the degree of perceived crash risk (as either low, mid, or high) and perceived safety. As a result, communicating (verbally or nonverbally) this information to the user based on human factor aspects should be reflected. As humans and vehicle automation systems are prone to error, we need to design advanced information and communication technologies that monitor risks and act as a mediator when necessary. One possible approach is towards designing a crash risk classification and management system. This would be through responsible AI that monitors the user’s mental states associated with risk-taking behaviour and communicates this information to the user, in conjunction with the driving environment and AV states. This concept is based on a literature review and industry experts’ perspectives on designing advanced technology systems that support users in preventing crash risk encounters due to long-term effects. Equally, learning strategies for responsible automated driving on urban roads were designed. In a sense, this paper offers the reader a meticulous discussion on conceptualising a safety-inspired ‘ergonomically responsible AI’ concept in the form of an intelligent risk assessment system (iRisk) and an AI-powered Risk information Human–Machine Interface (AI rHMI) as a useful concept for responsible automated driving and safe human–automation interaction.

Learnability in Automated Driving (LiAD) is a neglected research topic, especially when considering the unpredictable and intricate ways humans learn to interact and use automated driving systems (ADS) over the sequence of time. Moreover, there is a scarcity of publications dedicated to LiAD (specifically extended learnability methods) to guide the scientific paradigm. As a result, this generates scientific discord and, thus, leaves many facets of long-term learning effects associated with automated driving in dire need of significant research courtesy. This, we believe, is a constraint to knowledge discovery on quality interaction design phenomena. In a sense, it is imperative to abstract knowledge on how long-term effects and learning effects may affect (negatively and positively) users’ learning and mental models. As well as induce changeable behavioural configurations and performances. In view of that, it may be imperative to examine operational concepts that may help researchers envision future scenarios with automation by assessing users’ learning ability, how they learn and what they learn over the sequence of time. As well as constructing a theory of effects (from micro, meso and macro perspectives), which may help profile ergonomic quality design aspects that stand the test of time. As a result, we reviewed the literature on learnability, which we mined for LiAD knowledge discovery from the experience perspective of long-term learning effects. Therefore, the paper offers the reader the resulting discussion points formulated under the Learnability Engineering Life Cycle. For instance, firstly, contextualisation of LiAD with emphasis on extended LiAD. Secondly, conceptualisation and operationalisation of the operational mechanics of LiAD as a concept in ergonomic quality engineering (with an introduction of Concepts for Applying Learnability Engineering (CALE) research based on LiAD knowledge discovery). Thirdly, the systemisation of implementable long-term research strategies towards comprehending behaviour modification associated with extended LiAD. As the vehicle industry revolutionises at a rapid pace towards automation and artificially intelligent (AI) systems, this knowledge is useful for illuminating and instructing quality interaction strategies and Quality Automated Driving (QAD).