Cansu Demir, MSc

I am a PhD candidate and researcher in human-computer interaction at the University of Salzburg, Austria, Department of Artificial Intelligence and Human Interfaces, advised by Alexander Meschtscherjakov and Manfred Tscheligi. Before that, I obtained a MSc in human-computer interaction and a BSc in computer science.

My research is situated at the intersection of human–computer interaction and automated driving, with a focus on passenger-facing in-vehicle intelligent agents in SAE Level 4 systems. It addresses complex challenges and emerging opportunities in advanced mobility by designing, implementing, and evaluating novel simulation environments to investigate future mobility scenarios.
I study how automated vehicles communicate intent and enable cooperative interaction with passengers, particularly in safety-critical contexts, with the broader aim of supporting responsible societal and industrial growth. Using multi-driver simulation and over-time studies, my work examines how trust in and reliance on automated vehicles develop over time. A central component of my research further explores innovative voice interaction paradigms between automated vehicles and passengers, combining empirical methods with simulation-based approaches to assess their large-scale and systemic impacts.
My work has been recognized and supported by several awards and fellowships (see below).

I welcome collaborations with academic and industry partners and am open to supervise Bachelor’s and Master’s students.

Keywords: Human-Vehicle Interaction, Passenger-AV Interaction, Automated Driving, SAE Level 4, Intelligent Agents, Safety-Critical Interaction

Contact: cansu.demir[at]plus.ac.at / LinkedIn / ORCiD / Google Scholar / ResearchGate
Office: Jakob-Haringer-Straße 1, Techno 1, 5020 Salzburg, Austria

Latest News

Feb 2026: News article in Salzburger Woche about my research: “Robotaxis sind keine ferne Vision mehr“.
Dec 2025: News article in Salzburger Nachrichten about my research: “Wiederholt prämiert für Forschung zu autonomem Fahren“.
Nov 2025: I was invited to the Federal Chancellery of Austria by Elisabeth Zehetner and Maria Rauch-Kallat.
Oct 2025: What an honor! I have been introduced as a role model for the LEA initiative.
Jun 2025: I am selected as “35 under 35” by the Federal Ministry of Economy, Energy and Tourism!

Publications

[1] Twin the Drive: An HGBR-based Machine Learning Model as a Vehicular Digital Twin for Risk Detection (Cansu Demir, Narges Mehran, and Alexander Meschtscherjakov).
AutomotiveUI (2025). Read here

[2] Understanding Driver Expectations and Preferences Around Data Transparency in Vehicular Digital Twins (Cansu Demir, Nicola Leschke, Glenda Hannibal, Mahdi Akil, and Alexander Meschtscherjakov).
AutomotiveUI (2025). Read here

[3] Unlocking Trust and Acceptance in Tomorrow’s Ride: How In-Vehicle Intelligent Agents Redefine SAE Level 5 Autonomy (Demir C, Meschtscherjakov A, Gärtner M).
Multimodal Technologies and Interaction (2024). Read here

[4] AutoMate – An Empathic First-Aid Communication System to Reduce the Bystander Effect in Car Accidents (Cansu Demir, Sonja Lang, Isabel Melibeu, and Alexander Meschtscherjakov).
CHI (2023). Read here

[5] Enlightening mode awareness (A. G. Mirnig, M. Gärtner, V. Wallner, C. Demir, Y. D. Özkan, J. Sypniewski, and A. Meschtscherjakov).
Personal and Ubiquitous Computing (2023). Read here

[6] External communication of automated shuttles: Results, experiences, and lessons learned from three European long-term research projects (A. G. Mirnig, M. Gärtner, P. Fröhlich, V. Wallner, A. Sjörs Dahlman, A. Anund, P. Pokorny, M. Hagenzieker, T. Bjørnskau, O. Aasvik, C. Demir, and J. Sypniewski).
Frontiers in Robotics and AI (2022). Read here

[7] Mode Awareness Interfaces in Automated Vehicles, Robotics, and Aviation: A Literature Review. (🏆 Best Paper Award, AutomotiveUI’21)(Yasemin Dönmez Özkan, Alexander G. Mirnig, Alexander Meschtscherjakov, Cansu Demir, and Manfred Tscheligi).
AutomotiveUI (2021). Read here

Professional Experience

Doctoral Researcher (2024-present)
University of Salzburg, Department of Artificial Intelligence and Human Interfaces

Horizon Europe Young Observer (2022-2023)
European Commission, Research Executive Agency

Junior Researcher (2019-2023)
University of Salzburg, Department of Artificial Intelligence and Human Interfaces

Frontend Developer Intern (2023-2023)
Salzburg AG, Department Digital Development

UX/UI Designer Intern (2022-2023)
Spar ICS

IT Consultant (2019-2019)
Securitas GmbH

IT Technician (2016-2019)
Polizeisportverein Salzburg

Education

Doctorate / Human-Computer Interaction (2024-present)
University of Salzburg
Thesis: Cooperative In-Vehicle Intelligent Agents in Level 4 Automation
Supervised by Alexander Meschtscherjakov and Manfred Tscheligi

MSc in Engineering / Human-Computer Interaction (2021-2023)
University of Salzburg and University of Applied Sciences Salzburg
Thesis: Shaping the Future of Autonomous Vehicle Experience with In-Vehicle Intelligent Agents (1,0)
Supervised by Alexander Meschtscherjakov

BSc / Computer Science (2017-2021) University of Salzburg
Thesis: Implementing an open-source app to efficiently create video recordings for sign language classes (1,0)
Supervised by Martin Murer

A-Level (Matura) / Informationmanagement & Technology (2012-2017)
Bundeshandelsakademie 1 Salzburg
Thesis: Analysis of e-mobility based on the Mercedes Benz B-Class on business management principles

Teaching

SS 26 UV Introduction to Human-Computer Interaction, University of Salzburg
WS 25/26 UV Introduction to Human-Computer Interaction, University of Salzburg

Talks

Presentations automatically accompanying published conference papers are not listed.

[to be completed]
02/2026. iDay talk at University of Salzburg: “Wie wir die digitale Welt neu gestalten”
09/2025. Doctoral colloquium at Queensland University of Technology, AutoUI: “Cooperative IVIA in Automated Driving”
09/2025. Invited presenter at TU Chemnitz, MuC: “Accessible Automated Automotive Workshop Series”
05/2025. Research pitch at SIGCHI Austria Meeting, University of Vienna
02/2023. iDay talk at University of Salzburg: “Stärkung von Frauen in der Technologie – Perspektiven und Wege”

Research Stays

Université de Lausanne. Lausanne, Switzerland. 01/2026 (funded by CIVIS)
Sapienza Università di Roma. Rome, Italy. 06/025 (funded by CIVIS)
Expo 2025. Osaka, Japan. 04-05/2025 (funded by MOZ/PLUS)

Selected Activities

Startup Salzburg Incubator (2025): Adaptive Safety Wearable for Driving Behaviror Change
– Top 10 in Red Bull Basement National Final
– Startup Summit 2025 in Vienna, AT

FFG Fit4Funding Course, Training on EU Funding by FFG Academy 7th March to 11th April 2025

Selected Awards, Prizes, Grants and Scholarships

2025. “35 under 35” awarded by the Federal Ministry of Economy, Energy and Tourism.
2025. ACM Travel Grant to AutomotiveUI (Brisbane, Australia).
2025. Travel Grant to EXPO (Osaka, Japan).
2024. National Finalist of Red Bull Basement Austria 2024 with our Intelligent Mobility Startup.
2024. Marie Andeßner Prize for outstanding and innovative Master’s thesis.
2023. Performance Scholarship for outstanding academic achievement in Master’s program.
2022. Exclusive Salzburg AG Scholarship in the field of technology, innovation and sustainability.
2021. Best Paper Award [7] for research titled “Mode Awareness Interfaces in Automated Vehicles, Robotics, and Aviation: A Literature Review”.

Selected Research Projects

EXDIGIT: Excellence in Digital Sciences and Interdisciplinary Technologies
– Funded by Land Salzburg
– Partners: Salzburg Research, Innovation Salzburg
– Duration: 04/2022 – 03/2028

HADRIAN: Holistic Approach for Driver Role Integration and Automation Allocation for European Mobility Needs
– Funded by EU Horizon 2020
– University partners: Athens, Granada, Surrey and Delft
– Industry partners: Virtual Vehicles, Ford, ASFINAG
– Duration: 12/2019 – 05/2024

CARA-II: Cooperative and Assistive Driving for Ageing Road Users
– Funded by AAL Programme, the European Commission and the Flemish, Dutch and Austrian authorities.
– Partners: Kuratorium für Verkehrssicherheit Österreich (Austrian Road Safety Board)
– Industry partners: F2S2, SD-Insight, Jesco Auto Training School)
– End-user organizations: EURAG Austria, 50PLUS, KBO-PCOB, NEOS
– Duration: 12/2019 – 04/2021

Digibus Austria: AV Shuttle Research for Regional Mobility Systems
– Funded by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency FFG and the Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology
– Partners: Salzburg Research, ÖBB, Prisma Solutions, Commend, Easy Mile, Kapsch, Fluidtime, Herry, Virtual Vehicle, AIT, BOKU
– Duration: 04/2018 – 03/2021

Selected Press Coverage

02/2026. 11. Februar – Internationaler Tag der Frauen* und Mädchen* in der Wissenschaft, PLUS News
02/2026. Robotaxis sind keine ferne Vision mehr, Salzburger Woche
02/2026. Cansu Demir. Wiederholt prämiert für Forschung zu autonomem Fahren, Austrian Presse Agentur (APA)
12/2025. Wiederholt prämiert für Forschung zu autonomem Fahren, Salzburger Nachrichten
10/2025. Cansu Demir. Doktorandin in der Automobilforschung, Let’s Empower Austria
2024. Interdisziplinäre Zusammenarbeit an der DAS Fakultät, YouTube
2022. FH-Studentin ist Young Observer für EU-Förderprogramm, FHS News
2022. PLUS Master’s student selected by the EU as Horizon Europe Young Observer, PLUS News

Community Service

Reviewer: CHI, HRI, MuC, AutomotiveUI
Student Volunteer: MuC’25, AutomotiveUI’25
Student Member of the Faculty Council at the DAS Faculty at the University of Salzburg
SIGCHI Austria Member

MINT (STEM) Outreach

I am actively involved in MINT/STEM education as a STEM ambassador since 2019 and a LEA (Let’s Empower Austria) role model since 2025 in Salzburg.
Through hands-on workshops, talks, and public events such as the Long Night of Research, MINTwoch, and European Researchers’ Night, I invite children and young people – especially students from grades 7 to 10 – to explore science and technology alongside real researchers.
These activities spark long-term interest in STEM, showcase diverse educational and career pathways, and aim to inspire the next generation of talent, with a special focus on empowering girls and young women in STEM.

– Information on various STEM projects can be found here: https://www.mint-salzburg.at/angebote/
– New MINT dates: https://www.mintlabs.at/termine/
– Following pictures show impressions of the latest MINTwoch, European Researchers’ Night, Kinderstadt Mini-Salzburg etc.

Personal

My life goes beyond research! When I’m not riding my Kawasaki Ninja, I’m constantly seeking new opportunities to learn and grow.
I’m fluent in German (native) and Turkish (native), with a strong command of English (C1), French (A2), and Croatian (A1).