Scientists and drivers in-the-loop, on-the-loop or out-of-the-loop? Holistic human systems integration of teleoperated vehicles

The article metaphorically transfers the idea of “in-the-loop”, “out-of-the-loop” and “on-the-loop” from direct control of a vehicle to the influence and control of scientists on the in- and out-of-the-loop problem, here of teleoperation of vehicles. The article is based on the findings of an interdisciplinary group of experts coordinated by the German Federal Highway Research Institute (BASt) on the research needs for teleoperation of vehicles, in particular of Cluster 2 on the subject of Human Systems Integration. Based on three use cases of teleoperation, questions are discussed regarding the extent to which science should develop from “out-of-the-loop” towards “on-the-loop” or even “in-the-loop”, and what opportunities and risks could be associated.