Imagining an Inclusive Future for Shared Autonomous Vehicle Interiors: A Participatory Design Workshop Study

The introduction of shared autonomous vehicles (SAVs) has the potential to provide better transport to people groups who currently experience transport exclusion. In this paper we describe a series of four workshops carried out with members of a range of transport excluded people groups- older people (65+), women, disabled people, neurodivergent people, and people with mental health conditions (N=11). Workshops explored existing experiences of transport with a journey mapping activity and participants generated inclusive design solutions for SAVs through a participatory design activity. Through thematic analysis of workshop data, we identified 3 main areas where design intervention in the interiors of SAVs could create more inclusive SAV journey experiences. These areas were adaptability, safety & security, and navigability & familiarity.