LaneRunner

Level 3 automation changes driving into a strange in-between state: people may look away and do something else, yet they still need to take control when the system asks. The longer they disconnect from the road, the harder it can be to understand the situation they are returning to.

That created a careful design challenge. We wanted to keep the environment present in the driver's mind without demanding constant attention or adding another distracting screen.

Using gamification, we created LaneRunner which is directly connected to the CARLA simulator. Lane position, speed, nearby traffic, and collisions continuously shape what happens inside the HUD game.

An avatar follows the car's movement, freely jumping across lanes. Collecting coins awards the player with points, surrounding vehicles become obstacles. Visible lane markings and speed limits reinforce details that matter outside the game too.

The gamification should be easy to see, while still allowing the driver to view the road.

The most important interaction is the pause. LaneRunner stops automatically as soon as a takeover begins, then uses a short countdown before returning. The experience supports awareness during automation and becomes quiet when driving needs the user's full attention.

We tested LaneRunner with 20 participants in a fixed-base driving simulator. Half played LaneRunner, the other half watched comedy videos. Every drive included two takeover events.

Rather than asking only whether the game was fun, we looked at the transition back to driving: first reactions, steering stability, recall of the road, trust, workload, and what participants said afterward.

Test environmentParticipants sat inside a driving simulator, holding either a tablet or keyboard in their lap.

Designed for a glanceThe HUD shows the game, the amount of collected coins, and remaining lives.