The highly interdisciplinary research team, that comprises philosophers as well as engineers and psychologists, aim to develop a new theory of meaningful human control for automated driving systems. This notion of control is meant to aid the transition from human driving to automated driving, and promote safety and a clear attribution of responsibility in case of traffic accidents. Starting from this theory, the research team will formulate ethical and technical recommendations for the different stakeholders involved with the design, development and regulation of such autonomous systems.

The concept of meaningful human control – taken from the political debates over military robots – will form the starting point in thinking about the human role in automated driving systems. A notion of control over intelligent and autonomous machines should be able to clarify not only the role of the driver, who is gradually becoming a passenger, but that of designers, developers, drivers, policy-makers and the many road-users. Is it possible to deem some of those actors in control, and what does that mean? The project looks at different case studies such as dual-mode vehicles, remotely controlled pods, and truck platoons. The hypothesis is that more automation does not necessarily entail less human control, but it does require a new understanding of the human role and responsibility in the system.