Why Did the Car Do That?

A 7-day research and design sprint exploring how Level 4/5 robotaxis should explain their maneuvers to calibrate passenger trust through an anticipatory, multi-layered transparency interface.

problem

In Level 4 and Level 5 automated vehicles, the human's role shifts entirely to a passenger with no operational control. When the vehicle performs unexplained maneuvers, it erodes trust, particularly for first-time and older riders. A netnographic study of over 50 Reddit ride reports revealed that silence is the system's most common failure mode. Passengers become highly anxious when the car acts, hesitates, or stops without any acknowledgment of its reasoning.

solution

The "Anticipatory Glass-Box" is an in-cabin transparency system that explains maneuvers in the seconds before they happen, closing the anxiety window before it opens. To prevent information overload—which can paradoxically signal system uncertainty and reduce trust—the interface calibrates the depth of its explanation to the rider's specific situation-awareness needs.