Driving Towards Inclusion: A Systematic Review of AI-powered Accessibility Enhancements for People with Disability in Autonomous Vehicles
Ashish Bastola, Hao Wang, Sayed Pedram Haeri Boroujeni, Julian Brinkley, Ata Jahangir Moshayedi, Abolfazl Razi
TL;DR
This paper tackles the gap in inclusive HCI for AI-powered autonomous vehicles and conventional cars with partial autonomy by conducting a systematic, PRISMA-based literature review and thematic analysis. It maps current technologies—ranging from eHMI and HUDs to wearables, V2X and AI-driven personalization—and assesses their inclusivity for users with disabilities and older adults. Key contributions include highlighting pervasive gaps (personalization, V2X integration, ethics, and policy), and proposing an end-to-end design framework to guide inclusive in-vehicle interaction across ingress to egress. The findings offer actionable guidance for designers, policymakers, and researchers to enhance safety, trust, and independence in both autonomous and non-autonomous driving contexts, ultimately advancing equitable mobility for diverse user groups.
Abstract
This paper provides a comprehensive and, to our knowledge, the first review of inclusive human-computer interaction (HCI) within autonomous vehicles (AVs) and human-driven cars with partial autonomy, emphasizing accessibility and user-centered design principles. We explore the current technologies and HCI systems designed to enhance passenger experience, particularly for individuals with accessibility needs. Key technologies discussed include brain-computer interfaces, anthropomorphic interaction, virtual reality, augmented reality, mode adaptation, voice-activated interfaces, haptic feedback, etc. Each technology is evaluated for its role in creating an inclusive in-vehicle environment. Furthermore, we highlight recent interface designs by leading companies and review emerging concepts and prototypes under development or testing, which show significant potential to address diverse accessibility requirements. Safety considerations, ethical concerns, and adoption of AVs are other major issues that require thorough investigation. Building on these findings, we propose an end-to-end design framework that addresses accessibility requirements across diverse user demographics, including older adults and individuals with physical or cognitive impairments. This work provides actionable insights for designers, researchers, and policymakers aiming to create safer and more comfortable environments in autonomous and regular vehicles accessible to all users.