An Intelligent Cockpit Tailored Carpet for Human‐Vehicle Interaction Enhancement and Driving Intention Recognition

Abstract In the realm of intelligent cockpits, the predominant emphasis on enhancing driving safety and comfort through human‐vehicle interaction and driving behavior monitoring has conventionally centered on the upper body of the driver. Regrettably, the wealth of information inherent in the lower half of the driver's body, particularly the feet, tends to be systematically underestimated by researchers. A specialized intelligent carpet tailored for automotive cockpits that integrates sponge‐based triboelectric sensor to monitor driver's foot movement is proposed. The intelligent carpet contains two areas, namely the human‐vehicle interaction sensing area and the driving intention monitoring area. With the human‐vehicle interaction sensing area, the driver can interact with the vehicle through the left foot, resulting in reducing the occupation of visual resources and hand load. Furthermore, the driving intention monitoring area supported by the right foot can effectively identify driver's intentions and driver's behaviors, which are essential to trajectory prediction, optimal path planning, and driving safety. It is demonstrated that an intelligent carpet is potentially useful for human‐vehicle interaction, and transportation optimization and accident prevention.