Animal Interaction with Autonomous Mobility Systems: Designing for Multi-Species Coexistence

2025-07-22

AI Summary

This paper addresses the absence of an animal-centered perspective in autonomous driving systems operating within multispecies urban environments. It pioneers the integration of Animal–Computer Interaction (ACI) and more-than-human design into autonomous vehicle research. Through a scoping review, online ethnographic analysis of YouTube and Reddit content, and interdisciplinary expert interviews, the study identifies five critical challenges: physical safety risks to animals, behavioral disruption caused by AVs, environmental accessibility barriers, ethical and regulatory gaps, and adverse impacts on urban ecological dynamics. Based on these findings, the paper proposes design principles and policy recommendations explicitly oriented toward multispecies coexistence. These aim to advance autonomous driving technologies toward greater ecological inclusivity, animal-friendliness, and socio-ecological sustainability. The work establishes a foundational framework for reorienting AV development beyond anthropocentric paradigms, fostering responsible innovation that acknowledges nonhuman agency and urban biodiversity.

Technology Category

• Humans and AI: Planning and Decision Support for Human-Machine Teams
• Philosophy and Ethics of AI: Safety, Robustness & Trustworthiness
• Computer Vision: Vision for Robotics & Autonomous Driving

Application Category

• Responsible Web: Machine-in-the-loop, human agency and autonomy
• Economics, Online Markets and Human Computation: Research challenges in human and human-AI computation
• User Modeling, Personalization and Recommendation: Accountability, Transparency, and Ethics for personalization

Abstract

Autonomous mobility systems increasingly operate in environments shared with animals, from urban pets to wildlife. However, their design has largely focused on human interaction, with limited understanding of how non-human species perceive, respond to, or are affected by these systems. Motivated by research in Animal-Computer Interaction (ACI) and more-than-human design, this study investigates animal interactions with autonomous mobility through a multi-method approach combining a scoping review (45 articles), online ethnography (39 YouTube videos and 11 Reddit discussions), and expert interviews (8 participants). Our analysis surfaces five key areas of concern: Physical Impact (e.g., collisions, failures to detect), Behavioural Effects (e.g., avoidance, stress), Accessibility Concerns (particularly for service animals), Ethics and Regulations, and Urban Disturbance. We conclude with design and policy directions aimed at supporting multispecies coexistence in the age of autonomous systems. This work underscores the importance of incorporating non-human perspectives to ensure safer, more inclusive futures for all species.

Problem

• Understanding animal interactions with autonomous mobility systems
• Assessing physical and behavioral impacts on non-human species
• Developing inclusive design and policy for multispecies coexistence

Innovation

• Multi-method approach combining review and ethnography
• Focus on animal perception and interaction design
• Design and policy for multispecies coexistence