This project aims to help autistic people who wish to drive independently. The research team are using the latest extended reality (XR) technologies to build new, inclusive support tools that can help overcome some of the key barriers and difficulties faced when driving a car. 

Autistic people can find public transport inaccessible. For many individuals, driving a car would therefore make for a more comfortable and predictable journey. However, research shows that autistic people often experience increased barriers to driving and be less likely to get a license. This can restrict independence and make it difficult to get certain jobs, meet with friends, and attend things like health appointments. 

To address these challenges, this project is developing new, inclusive support tools using XR technologies (like virtual reality) to help autistic drivers practice in a more safe and engaging way. 

It addresses an important gap in research and works towards reducing barriers to driving and independence for autistic people. 

The study strongly links with our Moonshot Vision towards a society that works for autistic people, specifically in its mission to improve accessibility to work and health services which have autistic people’s needs recognised and met. 

• To co-design more inclusive support tools for autistic drivers. 
• To help build and test innovative XR applications that could reduce barriers to driving. 

Throughout this project, the researchers will be working closely with an advisory group and large co-design team of autistic people. They will also be working closely with us, the National Autistic Society to make sure the research reflects diverse lived experiences and priorities. 

There are three parts to this project: 
 

1. Prepare the technology 

The research team will set up the foundations for the work. This includes forming an advisory group, agreeing key research topics, and conducting early development activities with tech companies and industry specialists. 

2. Co-design activities 

Next, the researchers, advisory group, and autistic co-design team will join forces and create new support solutions for autistic drivers. Together, they will produce a ‘Blueprint’ that can be used by driving organisations and tech developers in the future. 

3. Build and test XR tools 

New XR tools and products will be developed from their ‘Blueprint’. These tools will be tested in lab studies and workshops, to see if they work as intended. Feedback from autistic people will be used to refine the XR tools, so that they can then be used in practice and tested in larger populations. 

• Tom Arthur (Lead Investigator) is a Researcher at the University of Exeter. He is interested in optimising training programmes and making learning more inclusive through advanced technological aids (e.g., virtual reality and eye tracking). 

The project team also includes collaborators from the Centre for Applied Autism Research and University of Nottingham, along with various tech companies, driving organisations, and our charity. These groups will work together closely, to try and achieve the research goals and objectives. 

Our charity is playing an important role in this project by helping to ensure autistic people’s voices and experiences shape the work from start to finish. We brought together an advisory group of eight autistic people with differing levels of driving experience and ability. The group meet with the research team periodically sharing their insights and guiding each stage of the work. In addition, a large co-design team of over 40 autistic people are developing ideas for the support ‘Blueprint’ and future XR tools. 

We also contribute to regular project team discussions, review key documents, and will share project updates and findings.  

This project is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council. 

This project is taking place over three years from January 2025 to October 2027. 

• Project website
• NAS project launch news story
• University of Exeter project launch story 
• BBC news story