Pedestrians-Automated Vehicles Interaction: Toward a Specific Trust Model?

According to Hoff and Bashir (2015), who developed a theoretical model of trust in automation, this study deals with pedestrians’ adoption of automated vehicles (AVs) and their trust in the AVs. External HMI (Human Machine Interface) integrated into AV is known to increased pedestrians’ trust during road crossing. To empirically apply this model and evaluate the trust potential of eHMI’s, we conducted a study with 49 participants in a virtual reality environment. The study manipulated two factors: vehicle type (conventional, automated, and automated with eHMI) and road infrastructure (unmarked, pedestrian crossing with and without traffic lights). Participants self-rated their trust in automation before and after the study. Trust and emotions were retrieved after each road crossing. Preliminary results indicated a positive impact of eHMI on pedestrian’s behaviors, trust and emotional levels. Infrastructure was also enhancing positive emotions and trust. During an uncertain situation such as pedestrian crossing, pedestrians felt more control with a conventional vehicle than an automated vehicle. The theoretical application of Hoff and Bashir’s model is discussed regarding the results. Further research is needed to clarify dynamic contexts’ implications and eHMI efficiency on automation trust.