Internship | Design of an Adaptive HMI to Improve the Drivers Situational Awareness

Imagine, you are driving an automated vehicle on the highway, destination: holidays in the South of France. The vehicle is continuously driving in automated mode, already for hours, so you are leaning backwards in your chair, enjoying the sun on your face and listening to a very interesting podcast. You feel totally relaxed and the only thing on your mind is what you will do when you arrive at your destination. But then, very suddenly, the automated car cannot handle the situation anymore and you have to take over control. The car starts warning you that you have to take over driving within a few seconds. This, in automated driving, is expected to become one of the most safety critical moments: the moment automation hands back control to the driver. At TNO, we (amongst others) focus on estimating the Situation Awareness of the driver (SA in short) to be able to adapt the way the (automated) vehicle interacts with the driver. And, to be able to also ‘steer’ the SA of a driver in a driving (simulator) experiment, we would like to have an adaptable Human Machine Interface to support that.

We would like you to design an adaptive HMI such that we can improve the SA of a driver. This way we can e.g. investigate the performance of different algorithms that estimate the SA of a driver. For example, after having driven automatically for a while and just taken back control, the driver wants to perform a lane change. (S)he may not have the full scanning pattern for highway driving yet and may forget to better check the rearview mirror. This may be registered by an SA algorithm and then a driver may be prompted to take a look in the rearview mirror.

Proposed approach:

• Literature study on Situational Awareness and the use of adaptive HMIs;
• Define requirements for the HMI from the literature study and interviews with involved TNO colleagues and/or other experts;
• Define the architecture of the adaptive HMI;
• Implement and test the HMI in our driving simulator;
• Documentation of performed work and implemented software.

You will work at the Integrated Vehicle Safety department of TNO on the Automotive Campus in Helmond (this is also where our driving simulator is located). In this department people are working on improving traffic safety in different ways: looking at the driver through different kinds of studies, developing software for automated driving vehicles, and designing processes to evaluate automated vehicles with supporting tool chain. You will work in an open office area. One of our employees will be your mentor. Your mentor will help you to get acquainted with the department and give you guidelines for your research in order to help you to get the best out of your thesis work.

We require that you are familiar with basic human-machine interaction concepts. You have knowledge and preferably already some experience in HMI design and implementation. At TNO we have experience with Node-RED. Basic knowledge of Python and ROS (Robot Operating System) is preferable regarding integration into the driving simulator.

The thesis fits to a 6-9 month project (based on full time availability). During that period you should be at least twice a week at our offices in Helmond.

You want to work on the precursor of your career; a work placement gives you an opportunity to take a good look at your prospective future employer. TNO goes a step further. It’s not just looking that interests us; you and your knowledge are essential to our innovation. That’s why we attach a great deal of value to your personal and professional development. You will, of course, be properly supervised during your work placement and be given the scope for you to get the best out of yourself. Naturally, we provide suitable work placement compensation.

At TNO, we innovate for a healthier, safer and more sustainable life. And for a strong economy. Since 1932, we have been making knowledge and technology available for the common good. We find each other in wonder and ingenuity. We are driven to push boundaries. There is all the space and support for your talent and ambition. You work with people who will challenge you: who inspire you and want to learn from you. Our state-of-the-art facilities are there to realize your vision. What you do at TNO matters: impact makes the difference. Because with every innovation you contribute to tomorrow’s world. Read more about TNO as an employer.

At TNO we encourage an inclusive work environment, where you can be yourself. Whatever your story and whatever unique qualities you bring to the table. It is by combining our unique strengths and perspectives that we are able to develop innovations that make a real difference in society. Want to know more? Read what steps we are taking in the area of diversity and inclusion.

After the first CV selection, the application process will be conducted by the concerning department. TNO will provide a suitable internship agreement. If you have any questions about this vacancy, you can contact the contact person mentioned below.

Students must reside in the Netherlands before the start and also throughout the internship or graduation project at TNO.