Transportation: Autonomous Vehicles

As Autonomous Vehicle (AV) technology transitions from the realm of science fiction to reality, the benefits of this technology have become ever more broadly discussed. Our research aims to make substantial contributions centered around the design of AVs and supportive technologies for AVs and how they can benefit all future consumers, especially those who cannot operate […]
Accessibility: Older Adults

Older adults, people ages 65 and older, may face challenges in being active members of society due to potential physical and mental limitations as they age. Our research looks for ways to improve the agency and engagement of older adults. With an inclusive design approach, we investigate how existing and future technology can be improved […]
Research for Social Good: Games and Other Media

Games and other media, such as virtual reality (VR) can serve as a source of entertainment; however, this may not hold true for all people. Our research focuses on examining the factors that may limit or deny people from fully engaging in games and other media and how such factors can be improved to make […]
Lights, Camera, Autonomy! Exploring the Opinions of Older Adults Regarding Autonomous Vehicles Through Enactment

ABSTRACT Autonomous vehicles (AV), one of the transportation industry’s biggest innovations of the past few decades, bring the promise of safer roads and significantly lower vehicle-related fatalities. While many studies have found largely positive consumer opinions regarding operating and owning such a vehicle, older adults (55+) tend to express concerns about the safety and operational […]
UTT: A Conceptual Model to Guide Universal Design of Autonomous Vehicles

ABSTRACT Autonomous vehicles (AVs) are closer to becoming a reality in changing the landscape of commercial and personal transportation. The launch of these vehicles come with the promise of improved road safety, reduced traffic fatalities, and enhanced mobility. However, there are questions as to whether the design of AVs will meet the needs of everyone, […]
Enacting into Reality: Using User Enactment to Explore the Future of Autonomous Vehicle Design

ABSTRACT Self-driving vehicles have been heralded as a dramatic new advancement in personal mobility. This emerging technology, beyond potentially improving driving safety, also represents a redefined relationship between the human driver and the vehicle. As this artificial intelligence-based vehicular technology becomes more intelligent, conventional interaction design methodologies may be challenged in their ability to fully […]
Putting Older Adults in the Driver Seat: Using User Enactment to Explore the Design of a Shared Autonomous Vehicle

ABSTRACT Self-driving vehicles have been described as one of the most significant advances in personal mobility of the past century. By minimizing the role of arguably error-prone human drivers, self-driving vehicles are heralded for improving traffic safety. Primarily driven by the technology’s potential impact, there is a rapidly evolving body of literature focused on consumer […]
Ridesharing Drivers and Persons with Disabilities

ABSTRACT Ridesharing services such as Uber and Lyft, have grown to become a viable option for public transportation, especially for persons with disabilities and older adults who otherwise are unable to operate a motor vehicle. These services are often more available and cheaper than traditional transportation options such as buses and taxis. However, recent incidents […]
Am I Too Old to Drive?: Opinions of Older Adults on Self-Driving Vehicles

ABSTRACT Fully autonomous or “self-driving” vehicles are an emerging technology that may hold significant mobility potential for both disabled persons and for older adults unable to operate a conventional motor vehicle. It can be argued, however, that the needs, preferences and concerns of older adults and disabled persons regarding this technology have been insufficiently explored. […]