How People Experience Autonomous Intersections: Taking a First-Person Perspective

Top-down simulations of autonomous intersections neglect considerations for the human experience of being in cars driving through these autonomous intersections. To understand the impact that perspective has on perception of autonomous intersections, we conducted a driving simulator experiment and studied the experience in terms of perception, feelings, and pleasure. Based on this data, we discuss experiential factors of autonomous intersections that are perceived as beneficial or detrimental for the future driver. Furthermore, we present what the change of perspective implies for designing intersection models, future in-car interfaces and simulation techniques.