Sunday: Workshops

This is the tentative WORKSHOPS program for SUNDAY, and it is subject to change. Please come back later for the updates.

Please check the PROGRAM page for a full schedule of the rest of the conference.

Everyone who registers for the full conference can attend the workshop and tutorial sessions for free. Participants attending only the workshop & tutorial sessions may register for a one-day pass. Lunch and coffee breaks are included. 

All workshops will be held at Natrium, Gothenburg University.

MORNING  Workshops:

W1: Love In Traffic: Physical and Digital Design Against Consensual Sexual Activity Inside Public and Shared Automated Vehicles

Abstract: Research on sexual behavior and transport has either focused on fear of sexual harassment and perceived safety inside public transport or on consensual sexual activity inside private transport framed as distracted driving. Meanwhile, evidence from adult content platforms suggests that consensual sexual activity inside public transport is trending. This is particularly concerning in relation to public and shared automated vehicles (AVs), where enclosure, shared use, and the absence of an authority figure can warp perceptions of accountability and intervention potential, with important consequences for passenger comfort and perceived safety and for public acceptance of the technology. Our workshop aims to address this concern by approaching consensual sexual activity as a design stress test for how AVs are perceived and used as collective spaces. We aim to synthesize design principles, identify open research questions, and establish a research agenda for designing public and shared AVs as comfortable and respectful collective spaces.

Organizers: Alexandros Rouchitsas, Ignacio Alvarez, Soyeon Kim, Chen Peng, Pavlo Bazilinskyy

W2: 2nd Workshop on Exploring the Potential of XAI and HMI to Alleviate Ethical, Legal, and Social Conflicts in Automated Vehicles: Applying HCXAI to Discover User Explainability Needs

Abstract: As automated vehicles (AVs) are increasingly deployed in real-world environments, users often do not understand what decisions their vehicles are making, or why. Explainable AI (XAI) offers a promising path toward transparency, yet most existing approaches remain algorithm-centric and inaccessible to end users. This workshop explores how Human-Centered XAI (HCXAI) and the Question-Driven Design framework can be used to systematically discover user explainability needs for AVs. Through scenario-based, participatory activities, participants will adopt different stakeholder perspectives and generate the questions they would want an AV to answer in ambiguous driving situations. Building on the prior workshop at AutomotiveUI 2025, this workshop aims to produce an initial taxonomy of AV-specific explanation needs grounded in real user questions, creating a shared resource that can guide future research, UI design, and evaluation of explainable automated driving systems.

Organizers: Krishna Sahithi Karur, Andreas Riener, Philipp Wintersberger, Manhua Wang, Philipp Michael Markus Peter Asteriou MSc, Dr. Seul Chan Lee

W3: From Roadways to Shared Spaces: Extending Vehicle eHMI Research to Public Mobile Robots

Abstract: Public Mobile Robots (PMRs), including last-mile delivery, street-cleaning, and guide robots, are increasingly being deployed in shared public spaces such as sidewalks, corridors, and building entrances, where they must communicate and coordinate with nearby pedestrians. Unlike automated vehicles, PMRs operate in close proximity to people, introducing new challenges for intent communication, trust, and socially acceptable interaction. While the AutoUI community has established extensive knowledge on external Human–Machine Interfaces (eHMIs) for automated vehicles, it remains unclear how these principles transfer to PMRs. This workshop aims to examine the applicability of vehicle-based eHMI concepts to PMRs by identifying transferable design principles, challenges requiring adaptation, and new research directions. Through invited talks, comparative discussions, and scenario-based group activities, participants will develop a shared research agenda, propose preliminary design considerations for PMR eHMIs, and strengthen collaboration between the AutoUI and Human–Robot Interaction communities.

Organizers: Suhwan Jung, Young Woo Kim, Xinyan Yu, Dr Callum Parker, Byungju Kim, Dr Joel Fredericks

W4: Workshop on Redefining the Relationship Between Human Operator and Driver Monitoring System (DMS): From Passive Safety to Active Partnerships

Abstract: Driver monitoring systems are typically designed to detect driver states and as appropriate, issue corrective warning and/or take action (alert, takeover, etc.). Current warning strategies are designed by a rule-based deterministic model, given ease in certification and predictability, with little or no personalization and adaptation to a driver’s individualistic profile and preferences. However, long-term effectiveness of these systems, including wider adoption, depends not only on detection accuracy, but on whether drivers perceive the system to be useful, trustworthy, and supportive. In this workshop, we discuss the benefits of a value-in-use approach that provides context-sensitive interventions to account for driver, situational, and environmental variations. The term “value-in-use” refers to the concept that a system’s worth is determined by what it can deliver to the driver in a real-world setting. Drivers are more likely to accept and benefit from a driver monitoring system that is viewed as a partner in safe driving rather than an intrusive or punitive supervisor. This workshop will present a conceptual roadmap that addresses the questions, “Does the system create value for the driver for real world use” and “What relationships (or partnerships) should exist between humans and systems to provide value?” The workshop advocates moving beyond compliance-oriented warning logic towards a user-centered paradigm in which driver monitoring systems create value through adaptive, relational, and meaningful support, in use. Participants will be asked to provide use case scenarios based on a shared understanding of the possible partnerships that can evolve during a trip.

Organizers: Prof. Linda Ng Boyle, Dr. Alexandria M Noble, Prof Natasha Merat, Dr. Christian P. Janssen, Dr Vishnu Radhakrishnan, Alexander Eriksson, Amélie Reher, Prof. Dr. Martin Baumann

W5: Shaping Future Propositions of Automated Mobility Interaction: Facilitating evaluation and improvement with the Fast Automated and Smart Mobility impact Tool

Abstract: Automated mobility is reshaping society, yet its development has been primarily OEM-driven, often prioritizing business over societal and individual gains. The goal of this workshop is to facilitate debate around automated mobility impact with the use of the Fast Automated and Smart mobility impact Tool (FAST), and to discuss the role of design-research in working towards smart mobility futures. FAST enables stakeholders to evaluate systems against individual and societal values. Participants will use FAST to brainstorm, assess, and refine automated mobility propositions (from demand-responsive transport to automated mobility scooters, or cars), balancing benefits against risks. The workshop familiarizes participants with the potential impact of automated mobility. Outcomes include evaluated use cases, actionable improvements, and recommendations for industry, policy, and the Human Factors and Design research community.

Organizers: Gerbera Vledder, Dr Rafael Gomez, Haoyu Dong, Nicole van Nes

W6: What Caused the Accident? Speculating Accessibility Challenges in Automated Buses for Older Adults

Abstract: Automated buses are increasingly being deployed in public transport systems. In Linköping, Sweden, they have been in daily operation since 2020. However, their deployment has also raised critical accessibility and inclusive design challenges. There is growing concern regarding how automated buses can meet the demands of the diverse mobility, sensory, and cognitive capabilities of users, including older adults and people with impairments, throughout the entire user journey. In this workshop, we apply a speculative design approach to engage participants in investigating a fictive accident involving older adult passengers. We will translate these speculative scenarios into design research questions around safety, accessibility, and inclusivity. Utilizing the automated bus deployments in Linköping as the background, the workshop aims to generate insights that bridge the research and real-world deployment gap for a more accessible and inclusive autonomous public transport system.

Organizers: Wanjun Chu, Torbjörn Andersson, Fredrik Henriksson, Simon Schütte, Elena Jiménez Romanillos, Franziska Felicitas Babel

W7: Anthropomorphic and Intelligent Assistive Systems for Automated Vehicles

Abstract: Semi-automated vehicles utilizing interactive interfaces represent a critical, emergent research field for enhancing road safety and user experience. This half-day workshop aims to advance the design and evaluation of anthropomorphic, intelligent in-car assistants to foster trust and mitigate risks like driver distraction or over-trust. Through paper presentations and interactive discussions, participants will explore agent morphology, spanning voice-only systems, screen-based interfaces, and physical robotic agents, and investigate how these agents can effectively communicate vehicle intentions and driving context. Additionally, the workshop will address the impact of these in-car assistants on driver workload and control takeovers, while establishing robust evaluation metrics, ethical guidelines, and global standardization frameworks. By bridging robotics, vehicular communication, human-machine interaction and automatic control, this workshop seeks to synthesize practical design guidance and outline a future research agenda for safer and more efficient road transportation.

Organizers: Dr Neziha Akalin, Nihan Karatas, Sofia Thunberg, Alexey Vinel, Dr Robert J Lowe

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AFTERNOON Workshops:

W8: 1st SCARline Workshop: On Operationalization of Driving Simulator Studies for Accessible In-Vehicle HMI Prototyping and Evaluation

Abstract: Designing and evaluating in-vehicle Human-Machine Interfaces (HMI) requires researchers and UX designers to simultaneously navigate driving simulation software, interaction design, and user study methodology, a steep learning curve for those without a deep technical background. This workshop introduces SCARline, an open platform built on top of a driving simulator that abstracts away technical complexity, letting researchers and designers focus on their research question, study design, and the in-cabin interaction they want to evaluate. A preliminary evaluation with participants from mixed disciplinary backgrounds provided initial validation and surfaced key areas for improvement, motivating this workshop as the next step in an iterative development process. Participants will be introduced to the platform architecture, guided through designing their own HMI widget, and supported in configuring a fully functional user study scenario within the simulator. The workshop invites the broader AutomotiveUI community to engage hands-on with SCARline and collectively inform its future development.

Organizers: Monika Szuban, Laura Radetzky, Tuğcan Önbaş, Ignacio Alvarez, Debargha Dey, Wendy Ju

W9: Human Centred Design for the Future of Mobility

Abstract: The field of the future of mobility provides researchers, practitioners, regulators and students a brand-new canvas for envisioning emerging technologies, human behaviours, styling designs, customer services and many more details that need rethinking, reconfiguration and re-design in transportation, vehicles and related services. Emerging mobility trends such as autonomous/connected/electric vehicles, micro- and urban-air- mobility, behavioural changes including acceptance of sharing, seeking more equal/inclusive/flexible services, and responding to emotional needs, are transforming innovations. We propose a human-centred interactive workshop facilitated by a playful toolkit and learning process catering for future of mobility themes, developed for professional audiences to go through an ideation process that considers types of people, technology trends and circumstances when creating new vehicles, mobility systems and services. Outcomes will include disruptive ideas around vehicles, systems and services; brand new research agendas for future mobility; emergent mobility innovation methods, all produced through team collaboration with balanced, interdisciplinary expertise.

Organizers: Dr. Jiayu Wu, Chen Peng, Yein Song

W10: Understanding Motion Comfort in Automated Driving: Bridging Vehicle Dynamics, Driving Style, and Human-Machine Interaction

Abstract: Passenger comfort is emerging as a key challenge for the successful deployment and public acceptance of highly automated vehicles. Existing research has examined individual comfort determinants, including vehicle dynamics, driving style, trust, perceived safety, and human-machine interaction (HMI), although these factors have been largely investigated in isolation. Consequently, a comprehensive understanding of how they jointly influence passenger comfort remains limited. This workshop aims to bring together researchers and practitioners from the AutomotiveUI community to develop a holistic perspective on comfort in automated driving. Through interactive brainstorming, small-group discussions, and collaborative framework building, participants will identify key comfort determinants, explore the relationships between vehicle behavior, user characteristics, contextual factors, and HMI designs, and discuss methodological challenges in measuring and improving passenger comfort. The workshop will culminate in a community-driven research agenda and an initial conceptual framework to guide future interdisciplinary research on adaptive, human-centered automated mobility systems.

Organizers: Andreas Riener, Paolo Pretto, Jaka Sodnik, Kristina Stojmenova Pečečnik, Georgios Papaioannou, Pavlo Bazilinskyy, Alexander Meschtscherjakov

W11: Beyond Take-Over Request: Exploring Human Intervention and User Interface Design for Remote Assistance in Automated Vehicles

Abstract: Remote assistance is emerging as an important approach for supporting automated vehicles in complex, ambiguous, or unforeseen situations. While remote assistance differs from traditional take-over in terms of operator location, control authority, intervention level, and scalability, both concern how humans should be involved when automated driving systems. Building on the well-established body of take-over request (TOR) research, this workshop examines how human intervention can be conceptualised and structured in remote assistance contexts. Participants will compare TOR and remote assistance, identify key dimensions of intervention, and discuss how these dimensions translate into user interface design implications. The workshop will produce an initial framework, interface design considerations, and a research agenda for supporting effective, timely, and scalable human intervention in remote assistance.

Organizers: Soyeon Kim, Maytheewat Aramrattana, Dr Jonas Andersson, Michael Hildebrandt

W12: Connecting Automotive HMI Research and Practice: A Workshop on Exploring Effective Academia-Industry Collaboration

Abstract: Technological advances are making automotive human-machine interfaces (HMIs) a critical component of future mobility in academia, industry, and regulatory sectors. Despite substantial research activity, translating HMI research findings into automotive product development remains challenging, highlighting the need for stronger research-practice translation. Our preliminary expert interviews identified five themes related to current collaboration modes, barriers to research translation, and opportunities for stronger academia-industry partnerships. Leveraging the unique composition of the AutoUI community, which brings together researchers, practitioners, and policymakers worldwide, this workshop aims to discuss these findings and identify strategies for empowering translational research in automotive HMI. We will present insights from expert interviews, organize a mini seminar highlighting successful collaboration frameworks, and facilitate group discussions to generate actionable recommendations for bridging research and practice. Expected outcomes include refined themes, collaboration pathways, and practical guidelines to support the translation of research discoveries into product development and regulatory decision-making.

Organizers: Wei-Hsiang Lo, Naima Kiran, Derek Fraser, James M Rampton, Associate Professor Seulchan Lee, Manhua Wang

W13: Multimodal Mental workload assessment from L0 to L5 automation: Towards a ‎valid assessment method for L5‎

Abstract: Mental workload is an important construct for understanding human cognitive states in conventional, automated, and highly automated ‎vehicles. As vehicle automation progresses, the role of the human changes from active driving to supervision or passive use, which leads ‎to different types of cognitive demands across different levels of automation. Existing approaches for assessing mental workload in ‎automotive contexts have mainly relied on subjective questionnaires and, to a lesser extent, performance-based measures. While these ‎methods have been widely used in conventional and partially automated driving, their suitability for highly automated environments is ‎still under discussion, as the nature of human–vehicle interaction is changing. This workshop focuses on mental workload assessment in ‎conventional, automated, and highly automated vehicles. It brings together researchers and practitioners to critically discuss current ‎measurement approaches and their limitations, and to explore a broader set of assessment methods, including questionnaires, behavioral ‎measures, and neurophysiological techniques. The aim is to create a shared understanding of how mental workload can be assessed across ‎different levels of vehicle automation and to identify directions for improving existing evaluation methods and tools used in this field.‎

Organizers: Saeedeh Mosaferchi, Alireza Mortezapour, Gianluca Di Flumeri, Dr Oscar Oviedo-Trespalacios

W14: Touchdown in the Urban Sky: Designing Human-Centered and Trustworthy Futures for eVTOLs and City Life

Abstract: Urban Air Mobility (UAM), enabled by electric vertical take‑off and landing vehicles (eVTOLs), is increasingly envisioned as a future layer of urban transportation. Existing UAM research has focused mainly on technical feasibility, airspace management, infrastructure, and vehicle operation, while less attention has been paid to how UAM may reshape everyday urban life, public space, human‑vehicle interaction, social acceptance, and trust in highly automated aerial systems. This workshop invites AutomotiveUI researchers, designers, practitioners, students, and policymakers to explore human‑centered and trustworthy UAM futures. It combines The Urban Air Experience Probe, a lightweight eVTOL rooftop‑landing simulation centered on the final approach and touchdown phase, with the Urban Air Futures Canvas that prompts participants to examine UAM from the perspectives of passengers, pilots, and bystanders. Participants will identify context‑specific tensions in touchdown scenarios and translate them into societal and trust‑related challenges. Drawing on AutomotiveUI work on automated driving, the workshop then supports participants in developing trust‑oriented HMI concepts and governance response strategies.

Organizers: Chenglin Liu, Young Woo Kim, Xinyan Yu, Zhijie Yi, Jiyao Wang, Jiangbo Yu, Chaozhe Jiang, Suhwan Jung, Saeedeh Mosaferchi, Birsen Donmez, Dengbo He