Researchers give cars giant eyes

In a study , researchers at the University of Tokyo found that moving robotic eyes can significantly increase the safety of pedestrians in road traffic. To do this, they installed large, conspicuous, moving eyes on the front of a golf cart. The direction of the eyes was then intended to signal to pedestrians whether or not they could safely cross the road. As the news portal Heise Online reports, there are significant differences between men and women when it comes to eye interaction.

Cars with eyes help pedestrians

The researchers wanted to find out how pedestrians behave when they are in a hurry to cross the street before an autonomously driving car. The scientists compared two different scenarios. In one experimental setup, the vehicle drove without eyes. In the second experimental setup, the researchers controlled the previously attached eyes. Based on the subjects' reactions, the researchers tried to determine whether interacting with the car would make traffic safer for pedestrians.

The eyes either pointed in the direction of the pedestrian, which is supposed to signal that the vehicle is stopping, or the eyes remained focused on the road. In this case, the vehicle continues as usual. The 18 test subjects wore VR goggles on which the scenario was played. Thanks to the virtual test, no one was hit either in case of a wrong decision.

Differences between men and women

Nine male and nine female subjects took part in the test. There were clear differences in the decision-making process, with the male participants making dangerous decisions more often and crossing the road quickly before the approaching car. In the experimental set-up with the interactive eyes, the participants were able to assess the situation much better and stopped more often when their eyes continued to be directed at the road.

The women, on the other hand, made more inefficient decisions. They behaved much more cautiously and stopped even when the vehicle also stopped. However, the interaction with the eyes helped the participants to improve their incorrect judgment.