Trust Is Good – User Insights Are Even Better

Driver assistance systems (ADAS) are evolving rapidly. Cars take over more tasks, make driving more relaxed, and can significantly increase safety. Sounds great –if it weren't for one crucial question is: Do drivers actually understand what their car is doing at any given moment and where its limits lie? This is exactly where scientifically grounded user studies come in. 

They show how people really use assistance functions, how they react, what misunderstandings arise, and at what point overtrust becomes a risk. 

We keep the full picture in mind: from studies of functional safety and error-free operation to user experience analyses focusing on usability, acceptance, and the overall interaction experience. All from a single source: smart planning, precise data collection, deep analysis, and clear communication.

On behalf of a customer, we examined how Chinese drivers interact with vehicles equipped with SAE Level 2 assistance systems – not in a lab, but in real city traffic. Video recordings and interviews captured participants’ impressions directly. The central question: Do drivers always know what the system is taking over and when they need to intervene? This is especially crucial at Level 2.The responsibility lies entirely with the human driver, yet it is easy to rely too heavily on the technology.

From Munich to Shanghai: Seamless Teamwork

The project was an international perfect match. The coordination took place in Munich, while implementation happened together with our team in Shanghai – seamless, fast, and highly professional. We covered everything: project management, stakeholder management, compliance with Chinese data protection and legal requirements (especially regarding video data), a robust measurement concept, and complete technical execution. This included professional questionnaires, interview guides, and test protocols. A local service provider recruited suitable participants and supported them on-site. Then came the core work: qualitative and quantitative analysis – from video labeling and interview evaluation to the final overall synthesis. Additional focus groups provided deeper insights into critical driving situations. The result: an authentic, scientifically grounded view into the Chinese user world – supported by local expertise and rigorous methodology.

How Deeply Level 2 Systems Are Already Embedded in China

The study clearly shows: Level 2 assistance systems are already part of everyday mobility in urban China. They are used frequently and significantly shaped by driving behavior. Important: The study focused exclusively on China – a comparison to Europe was intentionally not part of the project. Also impressive was the speed with which the entire project was executed. All stakeholders, all requirements, all iteration loops – and still an extremely cohesive result. "You need to bring everyone together iteratively, establish a shared understanding, and stay flexible. It’s challenging – but the moment everything comes together into a cohesive whole is incredibly rewarding," says project lead Lilly Schmieder.

Whether at the very beginning or shortly before series launch – we help design products that are safe, understandable, and truly user-friendly. We rely on sound user studies, professional questionnaire design, a broad participant pool, and targeted UX and usability optimization. Our mission: make technology understandable so it becomes intuitive – and therefore genuinely excellent.