An Analysis of Information Requirements for Passengers of (Autonomous) Urban Air Mobility Vehicles

Much effort has been put into examining control/monitoring strategies for semiautonomous/autonomous urban air mobility vehicles (UAMVs). Less has been done to define information requirements for passengers to facilitate their cognitive comfort. Similarities and differences between driverless automobiles (and transport-category aircraft) and UAMVs will both affect what information is needed and what operational factors influence that need, including; perceived locus of control, shared fate, ambient visibility, familiarity with the area to be traversed, and operational status of the vehicle. Information impacted includes route/progress (location, estimated time of arrival), phase of flight, and system status as well as communications between passenger and vehicle operator/monitor. Some intermediate level of information less than that required for orientation and control will likely suffice to achieve passenger acceptance, and that the level of information required is likely negatively correlated with both the visibility in the external environment and with the perceived safety/reliability of the vehicle/system