Effects of Auditory Information for People With Visual Impairments in Highly Automated Vehicles

2026-07-30

AI Summary

This study addresses the lack of accessible information presentation mechanisms for visually impaired users in highly automated vehicles. It systematically investigates, for the first time, how auditory information presented at varying levels of granularity—low, medium, and high—affects users’ trust, perceived safety, and overall experience in autonomous driving scenarios. Through an online video-based simulation experiment and user study, the research demonstrates that medium-granularity auditory feedback significantly enhances user experience, whereas high-granularity information yields diminishing returns. The findings further identify a threshold beyond which additional informational detail leads to saturation without meaningful benefit. These results provide empirical evidence and actionable design guidelines for developing inclusive and effective human–vehicle interaction systems in autonomous transportation.

Abstract

Automated vehicles promise to improve accessibility and access to personal mobility for everyone. However, their design and current research trends in visualizing relevant information do not reflect this commitment to accessibility for users with visual impairments. Therefore, we designed and implemented a visual and auditory communication concept for people with visual impairments seated inside fully automated vehicles. Furthermore, in an online video-based study (N=35, 12 with visual impairments), we compared three levels of auditory information communication: low (safety-relevant information only), medium (additionally including vehicle control and route updates), and high (additionally including sightseeing and destination information). Results showed that trust and user experience significantly improved with additional information, with a corresponding, albeit less robust, effect on perceived safety. However, they also revealed that a potential information saturation was reached with medium information. Our work helps to improve the accessibility of automated vehicles by guiding designers towards adequate information communication.

Problem

• visual impairments
• automated vehicles
• accessibility
• auditory information
• human-vehicle interaction

Innovation

• auditory information
• visual impairments
• automated vehicles
• user trust
• accessibility design