BERTHA Advances Driver Behaviour Modelling with New Scientific Publication
The BERTHA project continues to contribute to the advancement of safer and more human-centred automated driving systems through the publication of new research on driver behaviour modelling.
Researchers from the Instituto de Biomecánica (IBV), coordinator of the BERTHA project, have published a scientific paper presenting the Motor Control Module of the project’s Driver Behavioural Model. The research represents an important step towards better understanding how drivers interact with vehicles and how these interactions can be integrated into future driver assistance and automation systems.
The Motor Control Module is designed to closely simulate naturalistic driver interactions with key vehicle controls, including the steering wheel, throttle, and brake. The model combines predictive approaches to driver intention with Bayesian analysis techniques to estimate how drivers detect and correct errors related to speed and direction while driving.
The results demonstrate the model’s ability to capture both individual driving characteristics and broader behavioural patterns across different user groups. One of the key findings is the potential for individual driver identification, opening opportunities for more personalised driver assistance systems that can adapt to specific driving styles and behaviours. The research also highlights group-level trends, including differences associated with age, such as lower desired driving speeds among older drivers.
Understanding driver behaviour remains a crucial component of the transition towards Connected, Cooperative and Automated Mobility (CCAM). As automated functions become increasingly integrated into vehicles, human-centred models can help ensure that future systems respond appropriately to user needs, preferences, and limitations.
The publication reflects BERTHA’s ongoing commitment to developing innovative approaches that strengthen trust, safety, and collaboration between human drivers and automated driving technologies.
The project congratulates the authors Juan Manuel Belda Lois, José Solaz, Helios De Rosario, and Andrés Soler Valero for this achievement and for their valuable contribution to the field of driver behaviour modelling.
📄 Read the full paper here
