Designing for Passenger Trust: Effects of Interface Spatial Layout in Low-Altitude Urban Air Mobility

Passenger trust is key to acceptance and reliance in autonomous eVTOL aircraft, especially during low-altitude risk scenarios such as obstacle avoidance. Grounded in situation awareness theory and human–automation trust research, this study examines passenger trust formation, focusing on explanatory information and its spatial layout. A passenger-centered framework is proposed in which trust is mediated by visual attention, cognitive workload, perceived usability, and situation awareness. A simulated experiment compared three interface configurations: full head-down display, full head-up display, and split-screen. Subjective measures and eye-tracking data capture perceptual and cognitive processes. Results indicate that full head-up display enhances situation awareness, usability, and trust by supporting efficient attention allocation and cognitive coherence. Split-screen layouts increase integration demands and limit trust development. Findings clarify passenger trust mechanisms and highlight the importance of integrated, low-friction interface design under dynamic low-altitude risk conditions.