The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) is sharing new research regarding driving behavior when it comes to partial autonomous systems. Researchers say it indicates that drivers are more likely to multitask when using partial automation systems and that some drivers quickly learn how to get around limits set by partial automation systems.
“These results are a good reminder of the way people learn,” said IIHS President David Harkey. “If you train them to think that paying attention means nudging the steering wheel every few seconds, then that’s exactly what they’ll do.”
The data stems from monthlong study of driver behavior that IIHS conducted with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s AgeLab. The study focused on two systems: Volvo’s Pilot Assist and Tesla's AutoPilot.
Volvo Pilot Assist
IIHS researchers say during the study period, drivers were much more likely to do things like check their phones, eat a sandwich or do other visual-manual activities while using Volvo's Pilot Assist partial automation system than when driving unassisted. They also say the drivers tended to multitask more over time as they became more comfortable with the technology. Some drivers were more distracted while using the system from the get-go.
Tesla Autopilot
When it comes to Tesla AutoPilot, the IIHS says another IIHS-AgeLab study found that many drivers using the system quickly mastered the timing interval of its attention reminder feature so that they could prevent warnings from escalating to more serious interventions. Essentially, some drivers learned to "skirt" the system to continue engaging in distracting behaviors.
“In both these studies, drivers adapted their behavior to engage in distracting activities,” Harkey said. “This demonstrates why partial automation systems need more robust safeguards to prevent misuse.”
To read more specifics about the new IIHS research read the IIHS news story here and you can find the research paper here.
Photo: Scharfsinn/Shutterstock.com.