Pedestrian Engagement

Pedestrian engagement research focuses on understanding and improving interactions between pedestrians and various systems, primarily autonomous vehicles and robots, to enhance safety and efficiency in shared spaces. Current research employs diverse methods, including computer vision (e.g., YOLOv8, RT-DETR), physiological measurements (heart rate variability), and agent-based modeling to analyze pedestrian behavior, predict interactions, and develop improved navigation algorithms (incorporating flow and individual disturbance penalties). These advancements are crucial for improving the safety and acceptance of autonomous systems and informing the design of safer urban environments.