The conference鈥檚 mission remains central to the Cognitive Science program at 杏吧原创: to provide a supportive, inclusive venue where students across all areas of cognitive science can present original work, exchange ideas, and receive constructive feedback from peers and faculty.

This year, ACE Lab undergraduate and graduate researchers contributed across lightning talks and poster sessions, highlighting the lab鈥檚 multidisciplinary approach to understanding human behaviour in complex driving environments.

ACE Lab researchers and faculty at the 2026 杏吧原创 Cognitive Science Student Conference. From left to right: Dr. Kathleen Van Benthem, Chlo茅 Lachance鈥慡oulard, Tal Friedman, and Dr. Chris Herdman.

Lightning Talk Presentations

• Chlo茅 Lachance-Soulard, Second鈥慪ear Master鈥檚 Student (Cognitive Science)
  Alert, Aware, or Overwhelmed? How Stress Shapes Human Responses to Takeover Requests
  Chlo茅 presented research on how audio and visual alert salience levels influence driver stress during takeover requests. Her work shows how alert intensity can shape cognitive load and response quality during transitions from automation to manual control.
• Tal Friedman, Second鈥慪ear Master鈥檚 Student (Cognitive Science)
  From Steering to Screening: Predicting Mature Driver Health Status from Driving Data
  Tal presented research using Machine Learning models to predict mature driver health status from naturalistic driving data. His work demonstrates how everyday driving behaviour can serve as a non鈥慽ntrusive indicator of emerging health changes in older adults.

Tal Friedman presenting his research on predicting mature driver health status from driving data.

Poster Presentations

• Lexy St. Pierre, Second鈥慪ear Master鈥檚 Student (Human-Computer Interaction)
  Understanding Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) Usage in Mature Drivers: A Technology Readiness Index Perspective
  Lexy St. Pierre examined how technology readiness in mature drivers influences their knowledge and use of advanced driver assistance systems. Her findings show that individuals with higher technology readiness demonstrate better ADAS understanding and greater system use, indicating that improved education and training may support safer, more effective engagement.

Lexy St. Pierre presenting her research on technology readiness and ADAS engagement in mature drivers.

• Tamara Mendizabal, Fourth鈥慪ear Undergraduate Honours Student (Cognitive Science)
  Alert Salience and Driver Fatigue as Predictors of Takeover Performance in Semi鈥慉utonomous Vehicles
  Tamara Mendizabal investigated how internal driver fatigue and external alert salience predict takeover performance in semi鈥慳utonomous vehicles. Her work highlights how passive monitoring and reduced situational awareness in automated driving can impair successful takeovers, underscoring key risks as drivers shift into more passive roles.

Tamara presenting her working on driver fatigue as a predictor of takeover perfomance in semi autonomous vehicles.

• Sadia Naureen, Fourth鈥慪ear Undergraduate Honours Student (Cognitive Science)
  Staying Alert in Autopilot: The Effects of Trust in Automation and Attentional Capacity on Situation Awareness in Novice and Senior Drivers
  Sadia explored how trust in automation and attentional capacity affect situation awareness when automation is active.

A Strong Showing for ACE Lab Research

The ACE Lab鈥檚 contributions highlighted the lab鈥檚 commitment to improving road safety through human鈥慶entred research. From automation trust to stress responses, from mature driver readiness to cognitive predictors of takeover performance, the work presented reflects the lab鈥檚 ongoing leadership in understanding how humans interact with increasingly automated vehicles.

The conference once again provided an invaluable platform for students to share their work, refine their ideas, and connect with the broader cognitive science community.

The discussions provided valuable insight into how older adults view driving, technology, and feedback about their driving behaviour. Participants were invited to explore the prototype, share their first impressions, and discuss what kinds of information and support would be most helpful to them.

Driving and Independence

A consistent theme across both sessions was the importance of driving for maintaining independence. Participants described driving as essential for everyday tasks such as grocery shopping, visiting friends and family, helping others in their community, and accessing services where public transportation is limited.

For many, driving represents freedom and the ability to stay connected to their communities. Participants emphasized that any tool designed for mature drivers should support that independence rather than make them feel monitored or judged.

Interest in Personalized Driving Feedback

Participants were very interested in the idea of receiving feedback about their driving. Many noted that changes in driving ability can happen gradually, making them difficult to notice on their own.

Several participants said they would appreciate insights that help them recognize patterns in their driving, understand where they might improve, and stay aware of potential safety risks. They particularly valued feedback that could help them reflect on their driving over time.

At the same time, participants stressed that feedback should be constructive rather than punitive. They preferred guidance that explains what happened and offers suggestions for improvement, rather than simply assigning a score or penalty.

Privacy and Data Transparency

Privacy was another important topic in the discussions. Participants wanted to understand exactly what data would be collected and who would have access to it.

Many expressed comfort with the app if the data remained under the driver鈥檚 control and was not automatically shared with insurance companies, government agencies, or licensing authorities. Clear communication about data privacy and optional sharing settings were seen as essential for building trust.

Clear and Simple Design Matters

Participants responded positively to visual elements such as colour-coded indicators and summaries of driving behaviour. These visuals helped them quickly understand their driving patterns.

However, several participants emphasized the importance of keeping the interface simple and easy to navigate. Some suggested that additional guidance,聽 onboarding, or in-person training could help users become more comfortable with the app.

Supporting Safer Driving Over Time

Many participants appreciated the concept of the app as a supportive tool that helps drivers stay aware of their habits and continue driving safely for as long as possible.

Rather than focusing only on mistakes, they preferred insights that highlight opportunities to improve, provide practical tips, and encourage safe driving practices. Some participants even noted that tools like this could motivate drivers to refresh their knowledge of road rules or take a defensive driving course.

Looking Ahead

The feedback from these focus groups will help guide the continued development of SENSE-APP. Insights from participants are being used to refine the app鈥檚 design, improve how driving feedback is presented, and ensure that the experience remains supportive, accessible, and respectful of users鈥� independence.

We are grateful to the mature drivers who generously shared their experiences and perspectives. Their input is helping shape a tool designed to empower drivers with information that supports safer driving and confidence on the road.

We would like to sincerely thank everyone who participated in the SENSE-MD: Survey for Mature Drivers. Your input is invaluable in helping us develop innovative tools to support safe and confident driving for mature drivers.

As part of the survey, participants had the opportunity to enter a draw for one of ten $25 Amazon gift cards. We鈥檙e happy to share that the winners have been selected and contacted directly via email!

Thank you once again for your time and valuable contributions to the SENSE-MD project. Stay tuned for updates as we continue to make progress!

鈥�
The SENSE-MD Project Team

Your participation will help us develop technology that provides older drivers with personalized risk information from car sensors, improving safety, adjusting driving habits, and supporting aging in place.

As a thank you, you will have the opportunity to enter a draw for one of ten $25 Amazon gift cards. Winners will be contacted by email after October 31, 2024.

If you have any questions about the research, please email Lindsay McCauley at lindsaymccauley@cunet.carleton.ca.

This project was reviewed and cleared by the 杏吧原创 University Research Ethics Board B. Clearance #121710. If you have any ethical concerns with the study, please contact the 杏吧原创 University Research Ethics Board, preferably by email at ethics@carleton.ca or you can leave a message by phone at 613-520-2600 ext. 2517.

To participate, please follow the English or French link to access the survey:

杏吧原创 cognitive science and psychology professor Chris Herdman, director of the Advanced Cognitive Engineering (ACE) Laboratory on the ground floor of the university’s Visualization and Simulation Building, is developing a unique approach to assess the abilities of older drivers.聽 See the full article here: