Design Recommendations for Operation Center HMIs in Automated Fleet Operations: A Field Study from the Campus FreeCity Project

This study evaluates the HMIs developed for the operation center of the CityBot as part of the BMDV-funded Campus FreeCity project. The dispatcher and remote operator HMIs were assessed in a field study to determine acceptance, perceived control and safety, workload, usability, and immersiveness. Standardized questionnaires and interviews were employed to gather data from 20 participants with minimal experience in remote operation technologies. Results for the dispatcher HMI indicated high acceptance, good usability, and low to moderate workload, with participants appreciating the overview map and color-coded vehicle status indicators. Suggestions for improvement included better error message handling, enhanced live video feeds, and shortcut functions to reduce user effort. For the remote operator HMI, acceptance and usability ratings were moderate, with higher workload compared to the dispatcher role. Participants highlighted challenges in vehicle control and spatial awareness. Recommendations included augmented reality features and additional auditory feedback to improve navigation.