The Development of Fully Autonomous Vehicles (AVs) would fundamentally change the nature of in-vehicle user interactions, behaviors, needs, and activities. Passengers free from driving would expect to undertake diverse Non-Driving-Related Tasks to keep themselves occupied. Introducing Conversational Artificial Intelligence (CAI) in Level 5 AVs could improve the in-vehicle user experience (UX). To explore this, firstly, we identify what roles and relationships can CAI play towards end-users of AVs through end-user interviews and thematic analysis. Secondly, we examine how end-users qualitatively assess the embodied UX of the CAI roles and relationships through guided brainstorming, post simulator interaction experiments employing Wizard of Oz setup and Participant Enactment methods. Results show that Tour Guide, Mentor, and Storyteller were the most preferred CAI roles, and that Human-CAI relationships are maintained if the CAI mediates in-vehicle user activities, interactions, sharing of vehicle control, and deep conversations. We discuss the research implications and propose design guidelines.@en

The Development of Fully Autonomous Vehicles (AVs) would fundamentally change the nature of in-vehicle user interactions, behaviors, needs, and activities. Passengers free from driving would expect to undertake diverse Non-Driving-Related Tasks to keep themselves occupied. Introducing Conversational Artificial Intelligence (CAI) in Level 5 AVs could improve the in-vehicle user experience (UX). To explore this, firstly, we identify what roles and relationships can CAI play towards end-users of AVs through end-user interviews and thematic analysis. Secondly, we examine how end-users qualitatively assess the embodied UX of the CAI roles and relationships through guided brainstorming, post simulator interaction experiments employing Wizard of Oz setup and Participant Enactment methods. Results show that Tour Guide, Mentor, and Storyteller were the most preferred CAI roles, and that Human-CAI relationships are maintained if the CAI mediates in-vehicle user activities, interactions, sharing of vehicle control, and deep conversations. We discuss the research implications and propose design guidelines.@en

As the development of Generative AI technology continues to progress, the opportunity for innovation with AI in the form of user interfaces, products and services within vehicles is expanding. Furthermore, automobiles are undergoing major transformations in design due to changes in the underlying technology resulting in evolved user needs, behaviors, activities and aspirations. This workshop is aimed at providing the participants hands-on experience of designing novel Generative AI interfaces for vehicles. While working on the design challenge as the connecting thread, we will introduce and weave together modules of knowledge domains focusing on Human-centered design, Ethical and Responsible behavior, and Autonomy in vehicles. Participants will learn about and engage collaboratively in employing design methods such as Co-creation using Activity Canvases, Enactment, Wizard of Oz, Bodystorming and inter-group discussion. As the outcome, we aim to publish participant’s design concepts as a booklet and a research paper, and seek new research collaborations.@en

HRI researchers have explored how people behave toward technology agents, advancing the concept that people can attain 'closeness' with technology itself in addition to a living social partner. Yet the topic of closeness with robots has not been fully explored or organized into a discrete area of study. This seems particularly important to the design of robots that are expressive, to the implementation of technologies that use new social signal processing or reciprocal social touch, and to the study of how people respond to robots. This half-day workshop is a forum to discuss the future of 'closeness' with robots, conversational agents, autonomous vehicles, Internet of Things devices and other technologies that act as social partners - designs, applications, responses and societal concerns.

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