Steering From Tools To Teammate, Redefining Human-Autonomy Interactions In Autonomous Driving

The integration of autonomous vehicles (AVs) into human teams represents a significant evolution in human-automation interaction. This thesis explores the dynamics of Human-Autonomy Team (HAT) by focusing on key factors such as communication, transparency, trust, collaboration, and situational awareness, all of which are critical for fostering effective teamwork between humans and AVs. These factors are explored in depth through three core stud- ies presented in this research. The studies were conducted in controlled virtual reality (VR) environments and measure human interaction with various levels of AV. The first study examines the impact of transparency and explainabil- ity on trust and acceptance of fully autonomous vehicles. The second study extends this by incorporating elements of collaboration, comparing human ac- ceptance between semi-autonomous vehicles and conventional driving. The third study focuses on situational awareness, exploring how different commu- nication channels influence the effectiveness of human-AV teaming in semi- autonomous vehicles. Objective data, including eye-tracking, head-tracking and body-tracking metrics, were collected alongside subjective assessments using questionnaires. The findings indicate that the impact of successful HAT factors is closely tied to the individual differences of the human partner. This suggests that creating overall acceptance for the integration of AV technology must account for these variations. Additionally, the results revealed the im- portance of considering HAT factors such as collaboration, collectively rather than individually, as their effects on trust, anxiety, discomfort and overall ac- ceptance are multidimensional. Moreover, our results emphasize the varying effects of different communication channels in enhancing HAT. The research underscores the importance of human-centered design in developing AV sys- tems that align with human cognitive and behavioral patterns. The integration of behavioral data, offers valuable insights into user experiences, bridging the gap between subjective perceptions and objective system feedback. This ap- proach supports the development of AVs that are not only technically robust but also aligned with human values and ethical standards. This thesis con- tributes to the state of the art by providing a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics within Human-Autonomy Teaming (HAT) in AVs. It proposes strategies for examining key elements such as collaboration, communication, trust, and the overall effectiveness of AV systems when integrated into human teams

Modelling forest and grassland dynamics: the role of species traits, climate and spatial scale

Vegetation is a key component of the global carbon cycle. By absorbing carbon from the atmosphere, it provides critical ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration, plant biomass production, and the maintenance and preservation of biodiversity. In order to accurately assess the current state of vegetation and predict future changes, it is essential to have a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics involved. In this work, we address three factors: (I) species traits, (II) climate (and climate change), and (III) spatial scale, and investigate their effects on vegetation dynamics using the examples of tropical forests and temperate managed grasslands. Plant species abundance characterizes vegetation, i.e. forests and grasslands are defined as ecosystems dominated by woody or herbaceous plant species. The dynamics of these ecosystems are driven by plant interactions, both within species and with other species. Consequently, species diversity and composition (here described by species-specific plant traits) are strongly related to dynamic values such as aboveground biomass productivity, height, and leaf growth. In addition, climatic conditions such as air temperature, irradiance, precipitation, and the associated availability of soil water and nutrients influence the resources for which plants compete. Variations in climate, either as seasonal fluctuations or as part of long-term projected climate change, will subsequently lead to variations in vegetation dynamics. Finally, the processes involved and their importance to the vegetation ecosystem vary depending on the spatial scale on which one focuses, whether local, regional, or global. At the local scale, climate and local species pools may be the prevailing factors, but larger scales encompass, for example, spatial differences in land use, vegetation type (e.g., forest or grassland) and species composition, topography, as well as variable climate and soil conditions and anthropogenic impacts. All these interacting and constantly changing factors influence the dynamics of vegetation and remain a challenge to disentangle. The work presented here combines ecological modelling approaches and statistical methods with observations to investigate each of these aspects in more detail

Von Malaysia in die Bundesrepublik Das Wechselverhältnis von Bildungsmigration und Deutschlandbild

Seit Anfang des 21. Jahrhunderts hat unter jungen Malaysierinnen und Malaysiern das Interesse an einem Studium in Deutschland deutlich zugenommen. Da dieses Phänomen sowie deren Beweggründe und das zugrundeliegende Deutschlandbild bislang als wenig erforscht gelten, nahm ich dieses zum Anlass der vorliegenden Dissertation. Die zentrale Fragestellung dieser Arbeit gilt dem Wechselverhältnis zwischen den Erfahrungen malaysischer Studierender in Deutschland und dem Bild, das sie sich von ihrem Zielland machen. Im Mittelpunkt steht dabei die Veränderung des Deutschlandbildes in der chronologischen Abfolge: von den malaysischen Deutschlernenden über die studierenden Malaysier bis zu den ehemaligen Studierenden. Zentrale Fragen, die in einer Online-Umfrage und vertiefend in Interviews eruiert worden sind, lauten unter anderem: Welche Rolle spielt das Deutschlandbild bei der Wahl eines Studienplatzes? Welche Erwartungen und Hoffnungen, aber auch Ängste und Befürchtungen hegen die Studierenden in Bezug auf ihren Deutschlandaufenthalt? Wie verändert sich das Deutschlandbild während und nach dem Bildungsaufenthalt und welche Einflussfaktoren prägen dieses Bild? Der Wandel des Deutschlandbildes soll auch vor dem Hintergrund der ethnischen Vielfalt der malaysischen Studierenden betrachtet und differenziert werden. Schließlich ist Malaysia mit annähernd 60% Malaien, 23% ethnischen Chinesen und fast 7% indischer Herkunft ein Mehrvölkerstaat. Da sich ein Fremdbild immer auch aus der Wechselwirkung von Selbst- und Fremdbild entwickelt, erscheint die Arbeitshypothese angemessen, dass das Deutschlandbild, das Angehörige der drei ethnischen Gruppen entwerfen, teilweise unterschiedlich ausfällt. Auch scheint das Deutschlandbild der Deutschlernenden in Malaysia ein überwiegend bis vollständig positives zu sein. Bei den Studierenden in Deutschland fällt dieses Bild hingegen aufgrund ihrer konkreten Studien- und Alltagserfahrungen teilweise negativer aus. Es stellt sich insgesamt differenzierter und realistischer dar. Ein Aspekt, der weiterer Forschung bedarf, besteht in den Auswirkungen wirtschaftlicher Faktoren auf die Herausbildung eines Nationenbildes. Diese reichen von Wirtschaftspotenzial und Technologie bis zu Produkten und Dienstleistungen. In der Tat messen die malaysischen Probandinnen und Probanden diesen eine hohe Bedeutung bei. Auch wird in der Arbeit die Wechselwirkung zwischen Bildungsmigration und Deutschlandbild unter den Bedingungen der Corona-Pandemie untersucht

Optimizing reshuffling and retrieval operations in automated warehouses

This thesis contains the study of totally four problems dealing with the optimization of reshuffling and retrieval operations in automated warehouses. First, we investigate the warehouse reshuffling problem with swap moves as a new type of stacker crane movements, and compare it with the common problem variant with relocation moves, both analytically and experimentally. By exploiting structural properties, we formulate it as a generalized traveling salesman problem and present some heuristics. The second problem we study extends the warehouse reshuffling problem with swap moves by a time limit, and we additionally assume that the final storage assignment is not given as input, but has to be determined. We propose optimality criteria for final storage assignments, and develop construction heuristics as well as a simulated annealing algorithm specialized to cope with the time limit. As a third problem, we explore the optimization of pallet retrieval requests in a warehouse with multiple input/output-points. Different problem variants are considered, and we prove NP-hardness results, identify polynomially solvable cases, propose transformations to the traveling salesman problem, and experimentally assess the gain of optimization. The fourth problem we investigate additionally integrates the subsequent pallet processing into the previous retrieval optimization problem, and we apply robust optimization with budgeted uncertainty sets to hedge against deviations in the pallet processing times. We present dynamic programming algorithms for the worst-case evaluation, identify polynomially solvable cases for the scenario with only a single input/output-point, and develop mathematical models for the general case with an arbitrary number of input/output-points. Overall, this thesis reveals theoretical properties of the considered problems and also offers effective optimization approaches, including exact methods and heuristics

Perspektiven von Menschen mit Rassismuserfahrungen auf den NSU-Komplex

Der NSU-Komplex beschränkt sich nicht nur auf die Täter:innen und ihr Helfer:innennetzwerk, die in der deutschen Nachkriegsgesellschaft eine beispiellose rassistische, rechtsextrem motivierte Mordserie verübt haben. Er verdeutlicht darüber hinaus die Verschränkung rassistischer Gesellschaftsverhältnisse, die sich im (rassistischen) Agieren der Sicherheitsbehörden, der Medien und der Dominanzgesellschaft im Umgang mit den Taten gezeigt hat. Das Working Paper widmet sich daher explizit den Perspektiven von Menschen mit Rassismuserfahrungen auf den NSU-Komplex, um bestehende Forschungslücken zu füllen und anhand einer qualitativen Forschung herauszufinden, welche Bedeutung der NSU-Komplex für sie konkret hat, wie er auf sie persönlich und im Verhältnis zu Staat und Gesellschaft wirkt, und wie sie ihn darin verorten. Für (potenziell) Betroffene von rechter und rassistischer Gewalt reiht sich der NSU-Komplex in ein Kontinuum der Unsicherheit ein, das sich von den Pogromen und Brandanschlägen der 1980er/90er Jahre bis zu den Anschlägen in Halle und Hanau sowie deren Folgen zieht und bis heute weiterwirkt

Changing Relationships – On the Transformative Potential of Modern Intimacy

This thesis explores the transformation of intimate relationships in Western societies, shaped by long-standing norms and modern values. It examines how amatonormativity, mononormativity, and heteronormativity sustain modern monogamy, which prioritizes stability but faces tensions with ideals of independence and equality. Drawing on Jaeggi’s (2014) critique of forms of life, modern monogamy is seen as a system in crisis, unable to reconcile these conflicts. In response, alternative relationship models - such as open relationships, polyamory, and chosen singlehood - emerge to address these tensions by promoting greater individual autonomy. However, this research argues that these alternatives often only rearrange existing norms rather than fundamentally challenging the structural inequalities that sustain the crisis. To move beyond this cycle, the thesis explores paths for deconstructing or transcending these norms while addressing issues of privilege and agency, ultimately advocating for more inclusive and equitable forms of intimacy

Submitting to the Cognitive Science Student Journal? A Qualitative Content Analysis of Interviews with Authors Examining Motives and Influences

Student research and student journals have become a popular tool to introduce the next generation of researchers early to the practices of scientific publication. Authors of the young Cognitive Science Student Journal were interviewed to identify what factors played a role in their submission and what motivated them. Qualitative content analysis was used to collect influencing factors and assess their interactions. The findings have shown that there are a multitude of reasons and supporting factors that moved students to take on this challenge. Those included prior knowledge of (scientific) publishing, previous academic success, students’ self-conception as prospective researchers, (social) support, and topics of self-image. Demographic factors, like the pursued degree, shaped the impact of these other influences. Further, four dimensions of motivation were found: personal, externally oriented, strategic and epistemic. The benefits addressed by the authors matched with how the call for submission of the Cognitive Science Student Journal was advertised and what previous research had demonstrated. Whether they had had previous experience of publishing, and what kind, was important to each student in their own way, but did not allow for broader conclusions. How much they relied on external validation through grades or lecturer feedback depended more on self-image topics than anything else. Similarly, additional (social) support varied in importance to the authors. Further research is needed to examine other aspects of the Cognitive Science Student Journal, its reader base, its acceptance within and impact on the student community

Proceedings of the 21st GI/ITG KuVS Fachgespräch Sensornetze (FGSN 2024)

Sensornetzwerke, auch bekannt als das Internet der Dinge (IoT) oder Cyber-Physische Systeme (CPS), sind wesentliche Komponenten der digitalen Revolution. Sie bestehen aus einer Vielzahl vernetzter Sensoren, die Daten erfassen, analysieren und austauschen können. Die Bedeutung von Sensornetzwerken erstreckt sich über zahlreiche Anwendungsfelder, darunter Smart Cities, Industrie 4.0, Gesundheitswesen und Landwirtschaft. Technische Herausforderungen bei der Implementierung von Sensornetzwerken sind unter anderem Datensicherheit und Datenschutz, Energieeffizienz, Interoperabilität und Skalierbarkeit. Trotz dieser Herausforderungen sind Sensornetzwerke von entscheidender Bedeutung für die Transformation verschiedener Branchen und spielen eine Schlüsselrolle in der Gestaltung einer vernetzten und digitalisierten Zukunft. Das Fachgespräch Sensornetze (FGSN) ermöglicht den Austausch zu Technologien für Sensornetzen, Untersuchungen der Eigenschaften von Sensornetzen, Anwendungen von Sensornetzen und verwandten Themen. Es findet jährlich statt. Weitere Informationen zu der Serie gibt es auf: https://kuvs.de/fg/sensornetze Bei dem diesjährigen FGSN wurden 12 Arbeiten vorgestellt, darunter 3 Full Paper und 9 Extended Abstracts. Außerdem gab es zwei Keynotes von Thilo Steckel und Olaf Landsiedel. Ich danke allen, die an den Papern mitgeschrieben haben, den Keynote-Speakern, den Programmkommittee-Mitgliedern und den Organisatoren für das erfolgreiche Fachgespräch

The Strategy of AI-driven Transformation

This working paper analyzes the rapid progress of AI-driven transformation in the US administration and the related security issues. While the short-term goals of the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are cost savings, efficacy and bureaucracy reduction of the US administration, the long-term goal is the introduction of Artificial Intelligence for administrative purposes. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) measures bureaucracy by the ‘Unconstitutionality Index,’ the number of agency rules created by unelected bureaucrats for each law passed by Congress, which was 18.5 in 2024. The expansion of bureaucracy is reflected by an increase of sections of Codes of Federal Regulations to 215.230 in 2024 with 98.68 million words compared to approximately 77 million words in 2010. While the supporters view this transformation as an experiment to streamline government with AI to target inefficiency, redundancy, and bureaucratic waste with breaking of siloes and rapid innovation, concerns were expressed with respect to ethical responsibility, empathy, and the access of DOGE to sensitive data, including classified data from intelligence organizations. This led to a discussion whether this could result in an irreversible power shift from the administration to the AI providers who now manage the knowledge and the procedures. The jobs cuts are a matter of discussion, but the trend is inevitable for state and local governments. The process has already spread to the civil sector outside government, e.g., the decline of programmer jobs to level of 1980. These developments cause security issues which are discussed in this working paper as well. The first one is the AI service providers could be attacked by adversaries which could use them as backdoor entry into the government systems. Meanwhile, AI-based cyber security systems exist, e.g., by combining frontier AI with cyber threat intelligence tools and databases. A new critical vulnerability of advanced AI models with reasoning capability is the manipulation of the chain of thought. This can be either done by cyber attacks like the Dark Mind attack where a different thinking is injected or by a deceptive advanced AI which hides its reasoning steps, known as chain of thought (CoT). Studies have shown that current commercially available frontier AI models understand when they are in test situations and know what humans want to hear from them and how to hide their chain of thoughts, if needed. Various advanced AIs can utilize systemic or problem-specific reward hacks, that is the misuse of system functions to fake goal achievement of developer requirements. The administration and the military could be manipulated by misleading analyses, selective information, and hidden agendas by the AI systems. AI systems have demonstrated their ability to detect human testing and supervision and can replicate themselves to save their existence, i.e., increased pressure on and supervision of AI systems could backfire. Research Teams from OpenAI and Google DeepMind recommend to accompany advanced AI systems with another AI system to support human supervisors. European governments will be soon confronted with the AI transformation and urgently need to develop own concepts

Remigration

Im Jahr 2024 führte das Bekanntwerden eines Remigrationsplans rechter Kreise in Deutschland zu landesweiten Protesten für den Erhalt einer vielfältigen Gesellschaft. Der Begriff Remigration, fälschlicherweise als neutraler Ausdruck für die freiwillige Rückkehr von Migrant:innen präsentiert, entpuppte sich rasch als Standardvokabel im Grundwortschatz der neo-völkischen Rechten. Diese prägte den Begriff im Rahmen ihres Vorhabens, mit Hilfe von Massendeportationen eine ethnisch definierte Volksgemeinschaft zu schaffen und deren ‚Reinhaltung‘ durch Segregation von als fremd wahrgenommenen Kulturen oder ‚Rassen‘ zu erreichen. Der Remigrationsbegriff ist untrennbar mit völkisch-rassistischen Deportationsplänen verbunden, die eine ‚ethnopluralistische‘ Weltordnung anstreben, die einer globalen Apartheid ähnelt. Diese Kaschierung von Deportationen als ‚Remigration‘ ist keineswegs neu, sondern hat historische Wurzeln in völkisch-rassistischen Praktiken des 19. Jahrhunderts. Abgesehen vom Nationalsozialismus fanden diese Praktiken bereits Anwendung im Rahmen rassistischer Segregationspolitiken wie dem transatlantischen Versklavungssystem, dem weißen Siedlungskolonialismus und in Apartheidstaaten wie Südafrika. Seit der Dekolonisierung in den 1960er Jahren propagiert die neo-völkische Rechte ‚Remigration‘ als vermeintliche Lösung für das fiktive Problem einer ‚umgekehrten Kolonisierung‘, das auf einem rassistischen Verschwörungsnarrativ basiert. In diesen sogenannten Remigrationsplänen sind Massendeportationen von nicht-weißen Menschen und deren Unterstützer:innen vorgesehen. Selbst scheinbar nicht-völkische Elemente wie freiwillige Rückkehrprogramme, Startgeld oder die Schaffung von ‚Musterstädten‘ in Afrika lassen sich auf völkische und koloniale Deportationspraktiken und Apartheidsysteme zurückführen