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Drones will deliver packages in public spaces and interact with humans as recipients of the packages and as bystanders passing by. Clear communication of drone intentions is critical for reducing uncertainty and ensuring public safety. Limited research exists on interface designs addressing communication with diverse human roles. This user-centered study introduces six interface concepts utilizing lights, displays, and projection technologies to communicate delivery intentions with both recipients and bystanders. The concepts also offer cues for vertical movements, proximity-based warnings, and spatial guidance. An online survey demonstrated that all six concepts were perceived as more intuitive, clearer, and socially acceptable than having no interface. Projections were favored for requiring less visual scanning, displays for conveying direction and progress, and lights for offering familiar cues. Specifically, helipad-like projection was appreciated for providing information that could guide recipients toward the package and signal bystanders to maintain distance. Future research should address practical implementation challenges and potential interpretation issues, particularly for bystanders positioned farther from the drone.
Lingam et al. (Wed,) studied this question.