Evaluating Haptic Feedback on a Steering Wheel in a Simulated Driving Scenario

Abstract

This paper investigates how perceivable haptic feedback patterns are using an actuated surface on a steering wheel. Six solenoids were embedded along the surface of the wheel, creating three bumps under each palm. The solenoids can be used to create a range of different tactile patterns. As a result of the design recommendation by Gallace et al.[11] maximally four of the six solenoids were actuated simultaneously, resulting in 57 patterns to test. A simulated driving study was conducted to investigate (1) the optimal number of actuated solenoids and (2) the most perceivable haptic patterns. A relationship between number of actuated solenoids and pattern identification rate was established. Perception accuracy drops above three active solenoids. Haptic patterns mirrored symmetrically on both hands were perceived more accurately. Practical applications for displaying tactile messages on the steering wheel are e.g. dead angles, upcoming road conditions, navigation information (i.e. conveying information discretely to the driver).

Bimodal feedback for in-car mid-air gesture interaction

“…For these reasons, recent work has looked into alternative feedback modalities such as peripheral lights [4] and cutaneous push [6]. In a driving situation, traditional visual feedback is located in an eyes-off-the-road position whereas peripheral feedback can be perceived whilst looking ahead.…”

“…The demonstration will entail 1) a computer, on which the OpenDS driving simulator will be run, 2) a 24 inch screen on which the driving simulator will be displayed, 3) an 8 inch screen to the right of the driver mimicking a car's centre console screen, 4) a Leap Motion tracker to sense the user's gesturing hand, 5) a Logitech webcam located on top of the main screen, 6) three solenoid powered pins protruding from the steering wheel providing feedback to the driver's left palm [7], 7) a capacitive sensor attached to the steering wheel under the driver's right hand, and 8) a 107 cm long LED light strip (see Figure 1). The placements of the individual devices were guided by the measurements of a Jaguar Land Rover Discovery Sport.…”

Evaluation of Haptic Patterns on a Steering Wheel

“…Haptic patterns produced by solenoids on the steering wheel were introduced by Shakeri et al [22]. Three solenoids were embedded into the rim of the wheel (covered by a latex sheet) and presented haptic patterns to the median palm.…”

“…Research has shown that haptic feedback from the steering wheel enables robust and efficient communication [18] and that haptic messages can be perceived [5,18,22]. However, vibrotactile steering wheels have limitations: even in laboratory conditions, participants struggle to correctly identify the location of the vibration on the wheel [18] especially when tasked with simulated driving [5].…”

“…the fingertips, the entire finger, the palm, and the thumb. Research has shown that information can be perceived when presented cutaneously via the skin [22] and provides distinguishable directional information [2]. However, since the fingers contribute to gripping the wheel [1], providing haptic information to the finger-tips may result in decreased grip and thus loss of control.…”