Thesis Worker 30hp - Vehicle Design and Driver Expectations in Advanced Driver Assistance Systems

30hp - Vehicle Design and Driver Expectations in Advanced Driver Assistance Systems

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) are becoming an essential aid for truck drivers in today’s rapidly digitalizing traffic environment, with connected vehicles and intelligent road infrastructure. At the same time, drivers face high demands for performance, efficiency, and safety. How can we improve truck drivers’ work environment and strengthen their confidence when interacting with ADAS?

Background

Many truck drivers struggle to understand and use ADAS (SAE Level 2). Learning often happens through trial and error, which can lead to misuse or system deactivation. Drivers also bring expectations shaped by other vehicles, digital tools, and design cues, which influence how they interpret ADAS features. As automation advances and new functions are introduced, the gap between technology and user understanding is becoming a critical challenge for road safety.

This challenge is made even greater by the fact that drivers in large transport companies often switch trucks from day to day. These trucks can have different specifications, system designs, and even come from different brands, forcing drivers to constantly adapt to new interfaces and functionalities.

Purpose/Goal

The aim is to explore how vehicle design and drivers’ experiences with other technologies influence their expectations and understanding of ADAS. The results will contribute to more effective human-centred design of future truck systems

Assignment

This thesis addresses the intersection between vehicle design, driver expectations, and user experience. By exploring how exterior and interior design cues—as well as exposure to other technological advancements—influence expectations, the work will generate insights to guide the design of safer, more intuitive driver environments.

The student(s) will:

• Review state-of-the-art research on ADAS understanding and driver mental models
• Conduct interviews and/or workshops with drivers to capture expectations and learning strategies for different driver profiles
• Explore and test design cues (e.g., visual, interaction, or form factors) that may influence how ADAS is understood
• Analyse findings to provide design recommendations for more intuitive vehicle environments

Candidate Profile

• Master’s student in UX, Human Factors, or Technical Design (4–5 years of study or equivalent)
• Interest in automation, interaction design, and human-machine interaction
• Experience with qualitative research methods (interviews, workshops, prototyping)

Practical Information

Number of students: 1-2

Scope: 30hp (20 weeks)

Start date for the thesis: Januari 2026 (Spring semester)

Contact persons and supervisor

Viktor Wåhlin, Manager, +46760522890, viktor.wahlin@scania.com

Johanna Vännström, Supervisor, +46700863605, johanna.vannstrom@scania.com

The Application

Your application should include a CV, cover letter and transcripts.

A background check may be conducted for this position. We conduct interviews on an ongoing basis and may close recruitment earlier than the stated date.