I think it’s important to have a good grasp of the general commentary surrounding the potential or existing users of autonomous vehicles, as it’s integral to know your user to design for your user.

There are several groups of people who are expected to use autonomous vehicles:

1. Commuters and drivers: Autonomous vehicles can provide a safer and more convenient commuting experience by reducing accidents caused by human error and eliminating the need to actively drive.
2. Elderly and disabled individuals: Autonomous vehicles can provide increased mobility and independence for those who are unable to drive due to physical limitations, enabling them to regain their freedom and access essential services.
3. Businesses and logistics industries: Autonomous vehicles can lower transportation costs and increase efficiency for businesses involved in deliveries and logistics.
4. Public transport users: Autonomous vehicles can complement existing public transportation networks by providing first-mile and last-mile transportation solutions, bridging gaps in connectivity and improving accessibility to public transit.
5. People availing of emergency services: Autonomous vehicles equipped with advanced communication systems can improve response times and provide more efficient emergency services, potentially saving lives in critical situations.
6. All Road Users: Autonomous vehicles can help alleviate traffic congestion by optimising routes, reducing the number of accidents, and providing real-time data to improve traffic management systems.

It is important to note that the widespread adoption of autonomous vehicles may also have some negative impacts, such as potential job displacement for certain industries and concerns about privacy and cybersecurity.

The Truth

In all honesty, there isn’t a whole lot of content surrounding the users of autonomous vehicles. I think this is because this technology is still a long way off of mass market. There are many applications to industry which are highly interesting, such as labour or logistics services, however it’s more beneficiary to industries rather than the user in these instances. Also, it doesn’t necessitate the need for a UI in the vehicle as such.

<aside> ⭐ REFLECTION: The lack of existing use cases at the moment is a good thing however, as it forces me to be creative in the use cases of an autonomous vehicle to benefit the user. It’s forward thinking design which is highly exciting, as that is where there is room for innovation. I want to take a user-centric approach to my design. While it would be lovely to design a gorgeous, dynamic, exciting User Interface for the vehicle, it might not be the most appropriate if I am designing for someone with visual impairment. I think it will be worth establishing who would benefit from AV the most, areas where this technology would be an actual worthwhile service to the user, rather than just a comfort of being able to watch a movie while you drive.

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