Bridging The Trust Gap Between Humans & Autonomous Systems Through Intuitive Interfaces

As autonomous systems become increasingly integrated into everyday life from self-driving vehicles to AI-powered assistants, building user trust is emerging as one of the most critical design challenges. While these systems are technically sophisticated, their acceptance hinges on how humans perceive and interact with them. Intuitive interfaces that bridge the gap between complex machine behavior and human understanding are essential to creating confidence in these technologies. Designers and engineers are now tasked with developing tools that not only test functionality but also evaluate user perception, emotional response, and trustworthiness of autonomous experiences. This is where intuitive prototyping tools play a transformative role.

Parth Chandak, a creative technologist working at the intersection of hardware, software, and human experience, is building such tools to help design teams create more trustworthy autonomous systems.

What inspired you to build tools for testing how humans interact with autonomous systems?

“I started in manufacturing engineering, where I learned how products are built. But I became genuinely interested in how people use complex technologies,” Parth explains. That curiosity led him into user experience design, where he spotted a significant gap: designers lacked tools to prototype and test ideas with real human input, especially in the realm of autonomous systems.

Parth’s unique blend of technical and UX expertise allows him to create tools that are both robust and user-friendly. “These tools help turn technical features into experiences that users can trust,” he says, emphasizing the importance of accessible testing platforms in the development cycle.

What kinds of prototyping tools have you created?

Parth has developed an impressive toolkit ranging from hardware platforms powered by Arduino and Raspberry Pi to intuitive web-based applications. “I made connection tools so designers can work with real data instead of just static images,” he shares. These tools simulate the behaviors of autonomous systems, allowing designers to test feedback mechanisms like audio cues, visual alerts, and even tactile interactions.

He highlights audio as a critical channel for building trust: “Sound helps build trust when users can't look at screens.” His sound testing systems let teams explore various tones and alerts for maximum user clarity and comfort. To support rapid physical prototyping, Parth also established labs equipped with 3D printers and fast iteration tools. “This strategy has helped teams test hundreds of designs before putting them in actual vehicles.”

How have your tools helped solve problems in autonomous vehicle interfaces?

The most immediate value lies in speed and realism. “The testing platform I built cut testing time from 3–4 weeks to just one week by creating realistic test environments,” he says. Whether it’s simulating weather conditions for climate controls or testing user authentication systems, Parth’s tools allow designers to iterate quickly with meaningful feedback.

One breakthrough came in security interface design. His authentication testing tools enabled teams to move beyond assumptions, testing real-world interactions to find a balance between safety and simplicity. “Instead of guessing what would work best, my tools let designers test different options with real users and make better decisions,” he adds.

How do you create tools that connect technical systems with design needs?

Parth describes his process as a blend of understanding constraints and amplifying creativity. “I first try to understand both the technical systems and what designers want to accomplish.” His tools often act as a bridge translating complicated vehicle software into simple, interactive web applications.

Flexibility is key. “I focus on making flexible tools that can be used for many different tests. This approach helps designers try many ideas quickly, which is key to creating trustworthy interfaces,” he explains.

How has your approach to building tools changed over time?

While Parth initially developed separate tools for individual problems, he has since moved toward integrated platforms. “Now I work on developing more complete systems that combine hardware and software.” A prime example is his enhancement of ProtoPie, a commercial prototyping tool. “I built extra features that made it do more than it could originally,” he says.

He also prioritizes accessibility. “I work hard to make my tools easy for everyone to use, not just technical people. When more team members can use prototyping tools, we get better ideas and better experiences.”

What technologies do you find most useful in your prototyping work?

Arduino, Raspberry Pi, and JavaScript form the backbone of many of Parth’s tools. “They help me create physical interfaces and sensors that work with software without taking too much time to build,” he explains. JavaScript, in particular, allows for real-time interaction and cross-platform compatibility.

He’s also a fan of open-source solutions: “They can be adjusted for our specific needs. This helps me deliver good tools quickly, which is important when working in a fast-paced design environment.”

How do you think prototyping tools for autonomous systems will change in the future?

Looking ahead, Parth sees prototyping becoming more immersive and adaptive. “I think we'll see better simulation environments that mix physical and digital elements smoothly,” he says. Multi-sensory environments, where users interact with sound, visuals, and touch simultaneously, will enable more lifelike testing.

He also sees AI playing a greater role. “AI, especially the new wave of generative AI and LLMs, will create test environments that adjust to how users behave,” helping designers understand a broader range of user responses.

Lastly, personalization and collaboration are set to rise. “Future systems will likely adapt to individual users’ preferences… and allow multiple people to interact with the same autonomous system at once,” he notes.

What advice would you give to developers working on tools for autonomous system interfaces?

Parth’s advice is simple yet powerful: start with the user. “Focus first on the user experience rather than technical complexity,” he says. He encourages designers and developers to work together early in the process and test with diverse groups. “People respond differently to haptic feedback and interface cues based on their previous experiences and sensory preferences.”

Finally, he emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration: “The most successful examples I’ve seen combine expertise from multiple disciplines engineering, psychology, design, and domain-specific knowledge.”

Parth Chandak’s work highlights a fundamental truth: building trust in autonomous systems starts not with code or sensors, but with people. Through tools that enable fast, intuitive testing, he is shaping a future where humans and machines interact more naturally, confidently and above all trustingly.

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