Safe Human-Technology Interaction (HTI) in the vehicle systems of the coming decade – Societal Readiness Pilot

The expected outcomes of the projects should contribute to:Increased understanding of the synergies between driver and driving assistance systems capabilities and implementation of tailored, “self-learning” Human-Technology Interaction (HTI) strategies in order to improve road safety; Avoidance of crashes related to mode confusion during the use of driver’s assist, the hand-over and take-over phase; Advanced standardisable assessment tools and methods for improved HTI; Development of training methods for new and experienced drivers with respect to the evolving technologies; Responsiveness to a deeper understanding of the needs and concerns of diverse social groups involved in or potentially affected by the research and innovation (R&I) development, thereby increasing the potential for beneficial societal uptake, and building trust in results and outcomes.

Key areas of focus include:In-cabin monitoring systems for understanding driver state using contextual data; Multi-modal sensing technologies and robust detection/prediction of driver cognitive status; Enhancing driver understanding of assisted and automated driving systems to prevent mode confusion; Investigating the implications of automation on driver training and licensing; Developing innovative training methods, including virtual and mixed reality approaches, for mode transitions and safety-critical scenarios; Standardizing requirements for human-machine interfaces, including during system failures; Strategies to prevent driver disengagement and minimize cognitive load; Behavioral models to identify and block distracting activities within the vehicle; Addressing use cases for specific populations like elderly, young, inexperienced, and professional drivers, considering the gender dimension; Ensuring trust in HTI systems through precision, reliability, and transparency; Developing multi-modal and multi-sensorial vehicle warning and response strategies; Ensuring HTI systems are upgradable in both software and hardware.

The general conditions for this call include:Admissibility conditions related to proposal page limits and layout as described in the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes and the Application Form. Eligibility criteria for countries as described in the Work Programme General Annexes and the Horizon Europe Programme Guide, with certain restrictions applying to the protection of European communication networks. Financial and operational capacity and exclusion criteria as detailed in the Work Programme General Annexes. Evaluation and award criteria, submission and evaluation processes, and indicative timelines for evaluation and grant agreements as described in the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual. Legal and financial setup of the grants, with eligible costs taking the form of a lump sum as defined in the relevant EU decision.

Eligible Applicant Types:The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated in the provided text. However, based on the nature of Horizon Europe calls, eligible applicants typically include universities, research institutes, SMEs, large enterprises, and other legal entities capable of conducting research and innovation activities. The call encourages interdisciplinary approaches, suggesting that consortia should include experts from social sciences and humanities (SSH).

Funding Type:The funding type is primarily a grant, specifically a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant, as indicated by the type of action HORIZON-IA (HORIZON Innovation Actions) and the type of MGA (HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS]).

Consortium Requirement:The opportunity requires a consortium, as it emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches and the involvement of SSH experts, implying the need for multiple organizations with diverse expertise to form a consortium.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility):The geographic eligibility is not explicitly mentioned, but as part of the Horizon Europe program, it is generally open to entities from EU member states, associated countries, and potentially some third countries, as detailed in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.

Target Sector:The program targets the transport sector, specifically focusing on road transport and the interaction between humans and technology in automated vehicles. It also touches on areas like artificial intelligence, in-cabin monitoring systems, multi-modal sensing technologies, virtual reality, and training methods.

Mentioned Countries:No specific countries are mentioned, but the opportunity is part of the Horizon Europe program, which generally includes EU member states and associated countries.

Project Stage:The expected maturity of the project is at the innovation action stage, which implies a focus on demonstrating and scaling up existing technologies and solutions. The call also mentions societal readiness, suggesting projects should be close to deployment and societal uptake.

Funding Amount:The funding amounts vary depending on the specific topic within the call, ranging from €1.6 million to €22.5 million. The indicative number of grants per topic also varies, typically between 1 and 2.

Application Type:The application type is an open call, with a single-stage submission process.

Nature of Support:Beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a lump sum grant to cover eligible costs.

Application Stages:The application process is a single-stage process.

Success Rates:The success rates are not explicitly mentioned, but the indicative number of grants per topic suggests a competitive selection process.

Co-funding Requirement:The text does not explicitly mention a co-funding requirement. However, Horizon Europe Innovation Actions often require some level of co-funding, which would be detailed in the specific call documents.

Summary:This Horizon Europe call focuses on Safe Human-Technology Interaction (HTI) in the vehicle systems of the coming decade, specifically addressing the challenges arising from increasing automation in road transport. The goal is to improve road safety and enhance the interaction between drivers and automated driving systems. The call seeks projects that can develop tailored, self-learning HTI strategies, prevent mode confusion, create advanced assessment tools, and develop training methods for drivers. It emphasizes the importance of considering diverse social groups and incorporating social sciences and humanities expertise to ensure societal readiness and build trust in the developed technologies. The funding is provided as a lump sum grant, and the call is open to entities from EU member states, associated countries, and potentially some third countries. The projects should be at the innovation action stage, focusing on demonstrating and scaling up existing technologies. The funding amounts vary depending on the specific topic within the call, ranging from €1.6 million to €22.5 million, with a single-stage submission process.