Transforming Social Interaction-Aware Cooperative Convoy Research into Innovations in Automated Driving Vehicles

Impact summary

The development of the SocioTelematics system, a pioneering social interaction-aware telematics platform, has significantly influenced the automotive industry by enabling enhanced vehicle-to-vehicle, vehicle-to-service provider, and vehicle-to-infrastructure communication. This research, produced in collaboration with the Cooperative Research Center for Advanced Automotive Technology (AutoCRC), has led to practical applications within the industry, including influencing two patented innovations, "Vehicle and Service Management Device" (US11586223B2) and "Automated Driving Vehicle" (US20200207419A1), granted in 2023, by Honda Motor Co. Ltd., aimed at improving vehicle management and automated driving systems.

Research and engagement activities leading to impact

Rationale: The growing need for safer and more efficient vehicular travel, especially within cooperative convoys, motivated the research. Traditional telematics systems lacked the flexibility to adapt to changing requirements and the capability to automate driver interactions, leading to potential distractions and inefficiencies.

Research Work and Engagement Activities: The research introduced the concept of social interaction-relationships within telematics, allowing vehicles to collaborate and coordinate in real-time. The system was developed using a service-oriented architecture, enhancing its adaptability and ease of deployment. The engagement with AutoCRC provided valuable industry insights and facilitated real-life testing of the system.

End-users Involved: Key relationships were established with automotive industry stakeholders through AutoCRC, ensuring that the system addressed practical needs. Honda Motor Co. Ltd. underscores the system's relevance, as it directly influenced their patented technologies.

Relevant Inputs: The development and testing of SocioTelematics were supported by inputs from AutoCRC and cloud infrastructure provided by Amazon Web Services, allowing for real-world experimentation and performance evaluation.

Research outputs associated with the impact

The research resulted in six scholarly outputs:

PhD thesis: A framework for developing such an application.

Book: A comprehensive guide on SocioTelematics and its applications.

Journal Articles: Two peer-reviewed articles, one published in Pervasive and Mobile Computing (SJR Q1), detailing the system's architecture and real-world performance.

Book Chapter: A book chapter discussing the theoretical framework behind social interaction-relationships.

Conference Papers: Two papers presented at international conferences, CoopIS 2013 (CORE A) and UIC 2012 (CORE B), showcasing initial findings and practical implications.

Researcher involvement

As the lead researcher, I developed the SocioTelematics concept, designed the system architecture, and led its implementation and testing. My work involved collaboration with AutoCRC and coordinating efforts with industry insights. I was responsible for all aspects of the research, including software development, data analysis, and deploying the system using cloud services.

Outcomes of research leading to impact

The SocioTelematics system was implemented as a prototype, demonstrating its feasibility and performance in real-life scenarios. The system's adaptability and ability to automate vehicle interactions have been recognized by the automotive industry, as evidenced by its influence on two patents filed by Honda Motor Co. Ltd. The system's deployment has the potential to enhance driving safety, reduce distractions, and improve the efficiency of cooperative convoys.

Beneficiaries of the impact

Primary Beneficiaries: Automotive manufacturers, particularly Honda Motor Co. Ltd., which has integrated concepts from SocioTelematics into their patented technologies.

Secondary Beneficiaries: Drivers and passengers who will benefit from safer and more efficient vehicle interaction systems.

Reach: The impact spans across the automotive industry, particularly in the domain of automated driving and in-vehicle entertainment systems.

Details of the impact achieved

Significance: The SocioTelematics system has directly contributed to technological advancements in vehicle management and automated driving, as evidenced by the patents filed by Honda Motor Co. Ltd. This signifies the system's industrial relevance and potential for widespread adoption.

Evidence: The citations of the SocioTelematics research in two Honda patents (US11586223B2 and US20200207419A1, both granted in 2023) provide concrete evidence of its impact on real-world automotive technologies. These patents showcase the practical application of the research in enhancing vehicle interaction systems and contributing to the evolution of automated driving.

Impact date	2023
Category of impact	Other Impact
Impact level	International