NHTSA Seeks Ideas on Futuristic Car Controls: Shape Tomorrow's Drives!
Published Date: 4/3/2026
Notice
Summary
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) wants to collect new information about cool, new ways people interact with car controls, called Human-Machine Interfaces (HMI). They’re asking the public to share thoughts before they get official approval to run a one-time study. If you’re interested, you’ve got until June 2, 2026, to speak up—no money changes hands yet, but your input helps shape safer, smarter car tech!
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Time and travel costs to participate
If you take part, the study will require about 3 hours and 35 minutes of on‑site time per participant (three 50‑minute vehicle sessions plus consent and debriefing time) and NHTSA estimates the whole study totals 152 burden hours. NHTSA estimates travel of up to 60 miles round trip per participant (under 30 miles one way) at the IRS 2025 rate of $0.70/mile, equaling up to $42 in transportation cost per recruited participant; NHTSA also used $30.31/hour to estimate an annual opportunity cost figure it reports as approximately $2,019.55, and NHTSA states compensation will be provided to participants and is expected to offset travel costs.
Who can join the NHTSA HMI study
NHTSA plans a one-time driving study of novel vehicle human‑machine interfaces that will recruit licensed drivers aged 18 through 55 in the greater Phoenix, Arizona area. The study will screen up to 100 people, recruit up to 35 eligible participants (to reach a target sample of 24 final participants), and NHTSA is seeking OMB approval for the study for a three-year period. Public comments on the information collection are due June 2, 2026.
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