A User-driven Design Framework for Robotaxi

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Deng, Yue, He, Changyang
Format: Preprint
Published: 2026
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author Deng, Yue
He, Changyang
author_facet Deng, Yue
He, Changyang
contents Robotaxis are emerging as a promising form of urban mobility, but removing human drivers fundamentally reshapes passenger-vehicle interaction and raises new design challenges. To inform robotaxi design based on real-world experience, we conducted 18 semi-structured interviews and autoethnographic ride experiences to examine users' perceptions, experiences, and expectations for robotaxi design. We found that users valued benefits such as increased agency and consistent driving. However, they also encountered challenges such as limited flexibility, insufficient transparency, and emergency handling concerns. Notably, users perceived robotaxis not merely as a mode of transportation, but as autonomous, semi-private transitional spaces, which made users feel less socially intrusive to engage in personal activities. Safety perceptions were polarized: some felt anxiety about reduced control, while others viewed robotaxis as safer than humans due to their cautious, law-abiding nature. Based on the findings, we propose a user-driven design framework spanning hailing, pick-up, traveling, and drop-off phases to support trustworthy, transparent, and accountable robotaxi design.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2602_19107
institution arXiv
publishDate 2026
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle A User-driven Design Framework for Robotaxi
Deng, Yue
He, Changyang
Robotics
Human-Computer Interaction
Robotaxis are emerging as a promising form of urban mobility, but removing human drivers fundamentally reshapes passenger-vehicle interaction and raises new design challenges. To inform robotaxi design based on real-world experience, we conducted 18 semi-structured interviews and autoethnographic ride experiences to examine users' perceptions, experiences, and expectations for robotaxi design. We found that users valued benefits such as increased agency and consistent driving. However, they also encountered challenges such as limited flexibility, insufficient transparency, and emergency handling concerns. Notably, users perceived robotaxis not merely as a mode of transportation, but as autonomous, semi-private transitional spaces, which made users feel less socially intrusive to engage in personal activities. Safety perceptions were polarized: some felt anxiety about reduced control, while others viewed robotaxis as safer than humans due to their cautious, law-abiding nature. Based on the findings, we propose a user-driven design framework spanning hailing, pick-up, traveling, and drop-off phases to support trustworthy, transparent, and accountable robotaxi design.
title A User-driven Design Framework for Robotaxi
topic Robotics
Human-Computer Interaction
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2602.19107