Short answer

Designers should not assume that increased situational awareness through haptic feedback will automatically reduce motion sickness; a multi-faceted approach is likely needed.

Field: Human Factors
Source: International Journal of Automotive and Mechanical Engineering (2020)
Method: Experimental study with a simulated autonomous driving environment.
Sample: 20 participants
Evidence: Moderate effect

Providing passengers with peripheral vibrotactile information about upcoming vehicle maneuvers can improve their awareness of the driving situation but does not inherently reduce motion sickness. This human factors research insight is drawn from a 2020 study published in International Journal of Automotive and Mechanical Engineering. Using Experimental study with a simulated autonomous driving environment. with 20 participants, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Designers should not assume that increased situational awareness through haptic feedback will automatically reduce motion sickness; a multi-faceted approach is likely needed.

Study

Human FactorsHigh ImpactModerate effect

Peripheral Vibrotactile Cues Enhance Situation Awareness but Do Not Alleviate Motion Sickness in Autonomous Vehicles

Providing passengers with peripheral vibrotactile information about upcoming vehicle maneuvers can improve their awareness of the driving situation but does not inherently reduce motion sickness.

International Journal of Automotive and Mechanical Engineering · 2020

Key Findings

01The vibrotactile display significantly increased passengers' situation awareness.
02The vibrotactile display did not significantly reduce motion sickness symptoms.

Application

Design takeaway

Designers should not assume that increased situational awareness through haptic feedback will automatically reduce motion sickness; a multi-faceted approach is likely needed.

How to apply

When designing haptic feedback systems for autonomous vehicles, consider incorporating information directly related to motion prediction and vehicle dynamics, and explore complementary solutions for motion sickness.

Project actions

01When designing for comfort in automated vehicles, think about more than just information delivery; consider the passenger's physical well-being.
02If you are investigating motion sickness, ensure your design addresses the physiological aspects, not just cognitive awareness.

Method & Evidence

AimTo investigate the impact of peripheral vibrotactile information on situation awareness and motion sickness in passengers of fully-automated driving cars.

MethodExperimental study with a simulated autonomous driving environment.

ProcedureTwenty participants experienced simulated autonomous driving in a real car on public roads. A 'Wizard of Oz' method was used to control the simulated autonomous driving. Participants received peripheral information about upcoming maneuvers via a vibrotactile display. Objective and subjective measures of situation awareness and motion sickness were collected.

Sample20 participants

ContextAutomotive design, human-computer interaction, autonomous vehicle passenger experience.

Variables

IVPresence and type of peripheral vibrotactile information.

DVSituation awareness (objective and subjective measures), Motion sickness (objective and subjective measures).

CVType of vehicle, driving environment (urban, real road), non-driving tasks engaged in by passengers.

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Utilized a real-world driving environment for greater ecological validity.
+Employed a 'Wizard of Oz' method for robust simulation control.

Limitations

The specific nature of the vibrotactile cues was not detailed, making it hard to replicate or adapt without further information. The study did not explore individual differences in susceptibility to motion sickness.

Reliability & validity

The use of objective and subjective measures for both situation awareness and motion sickness enhances the study's validity. The sample size of 20 participants may limit generalizability, impacting reliability across broader populations.

Think critically

If increased situation awareness did not reduce motion sickness, what other factors might be more influential in mitigating this issue for passengers in automated vehicles?

Design Principles

"Sensory feedback for motion sickness mitigation in automated vehicles requires a holistic design that addresses both cognitive awareness and physiological responses."

As vehicles become more automated, understanding how to maintain passenger comfort and engagement is crucial. This research highlights a gap in current haptic feedback strategies, suggesting that while awareness can be boosted, the complex physiological response of motion sickness requires a more nuanced approach.

What This Means for Your Design

Giving car passengers little buzzes to tell them what the car is going to do makes them more aware, but it doesn't stop them from feeling sick.

How to use in your project

1.Use this study to justify the need for a multi-modal approach in your design for passenger comfort in automated vehicles.
2.Reference this study when discussing the limitations of purely informational feedback systems for mitigating motion sickness.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

Research by Yusof et al. (2020) demonstrated that while peripheral vibrotactile cues can enhance situation awareness in automated vehicles, they did not significantly reduce motion sickness. This suggests that a comprehensive design approach is necessary, addressing both informational needs and physiological responses to ensure passenger comfort and well-being in future mobility solutions.

Source

International Journal of Automotive and Mechanical Engineering

Gaining Situation Awareness through a Vibrotactile Display to Mitigate Motion Sickness in Fully-Automated Driving Cars

journal · 2020

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about peripheral vibrotactile cues enhance situation awareness but do not alleviate motion sickness in autonomous vehicles?: Designers should not assume that increased situational awareness through haptic feedback will automatically reduce motion sickness; a multi-faceted approach is likely needed. Evidence: International Journal of Automotive and Mechanical Engineering (2020).
Why does "Peripheral Vibrotactile Cues Enhance Situation Awareness but Do Not Alleviate Motion Sickness in Autonomous Vehicles" matter for design?: As vehicles become more automated, understanding how to maintain passenger comfort and engagement is crucial. This research highlights a gap in current haptic feedback strategies, suggesting that while awareness can be boosted, the complex physiological response of motion sickness requires a more nuanced approach.
How can designers apply this research?: Designers should not assume that increased situational awareness through haptic feedback will automatically reduce motion sickness; a multi-faceted approach is likely needed.
What were the main findings?: The vibrotactile display significantly increased passengers' situation awareness.. The vibrotactile display did not significantly reduce motion sickness symptoms.
What research method was used?: Experimental study with a simulated autonomous driving environment. with 20 participants.
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2020 journal from International Journal of Automotive and Mechanical Engineering.
What should I do differently in my next project?: When designing haptic feedback systems for autonomous vehicles, consider incorporating information directly related to motion prediction and vehicle dynamics, and explore complementary solutions for motion sickness.
What are the limitations?: The study did not identify the specific types of peripheral information that would be effective in reducing motion sickness. The effectiveness of posture control mechanisms was not tested.